Jeff Doss Quoted on Impact of CASA Decision on Class Action Appeals in Law360 Round-up on 2026 Appellate Trends

January 28, 2026

Jeffrey P. Doss, a partner at Lightfoot, Franklin & White LLC, was quoted in Law360’s year-end roundup on appellate trends expected to shape 2026. In the piece, he addresses how the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2025 decision in Trump v. CASA could influence appellate strategy for class actions in the year ahead. 

Trump v. CASA limited the scope of relief through universal injunctions, but the majority opinion highlighted avenues that remain available to plaintiffs, such as class actions, to seek broader relief.

As the scope of universal injunctions narrows, the importance of class certification and a detailed record increases when preparing appeals. 

“It may resuscitate class litigation at the appellate level,” Doss told Law360. 

He also noted that groups pursuing class actions against government officials may not find a quick path to settlement, unlike what often happens when private parties are involved.

"Let's say it's a group challenging the constitutionality of a statute or regulation, and it's the state or the federal government defending it," he said. "The chances of them, quote, settling, are almost nonexistent. It's possible, but it's very unlikely."

Doss focuses his practice on trial advocacy in white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation. In addition to conducting internal investigations for private and public entities, he has defended businesses and individuals in connection with grand jury investigations, administrative enforcement proceedings and criminal prosecutions at the trial and appellate levels.