Christopher P. Ridout

Christopher Ridout practices in the areas of complex litigation including consumer protection, labor and employment, unfair business practices, false advertising, toxic tort, commercial and residential hazardous substance exposure.

Mr. Ridout was appointed to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee in the Apple iPhone Device Performance Litigation alleging that Apple released a software update that deliberately diminished the battery life of older devices forcing customers to spend hundreds of dollars on replacement batteries and new phones. He was also   appointed as co-interim lead counsel representing a class of consumers in a mislabeling lawsuit alleging that Celestial Seasonings tea products falsely claim to be “all natural” when they contain pesticide residue from the agricultural process.  In consumer litigation, Mr. Ridout has represented classes of consumers and employees in connection with data breaches that have compromised personal, financial, medical, and employment information. He represented a class of GM diesel truck owners alleging that the DMAX diesel engine design is defective causing a reduction in fuel efficiency by 25-30 percent.  Notably, Mr. Ridout served as class counsel reaching a $295 million settlement on behalf of customers alleging the billing practices of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power contained excessive fees and inflated rates, and that the charges to customers exceeded the costs of provided water and power services.  Mr. Ridout also obtained a $36 million settlement representing RV owners in a class action lawsuit alleging that a manufacturer knew of a potentially dangerous RV refrigerator fire risk, but hid that information from the public.  He also advocates on behalf of musicians and entertainers in Internet-related copyright and royalty disputes.

Over the last decade, Mr. Ridout has been involved in the resolution of a series of class action lawsuits including a settlement of more than $24 million on behalf of misclassified employees, an $11.5 million settlement for Michigan student loan borrowers over an interest rate dispute, a $9 million settlement claiming a beverage manufacturer violated state and federal laws regarding the marketing and sale of its product, and a multi- million dollar award for residents of various nursing home facilities alleging widespread and intentional failure to provide sufficient care to the residents due to understaffing.

Mr. Ridout attended Harvard University where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1986.  While focusing on his major of American History, he was a member of the Harvard Varsity Football Team and played in the historic 100th Harvard-Yale match-up commonly referred to as “The Game.”  In his senior year, Mr. Ridout was awarded the “William Payne LeCroix Memorial Award” given to that team member exhibiting the most loyalty and dedication to the Harvard Varsity Football Team.

After graduating from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in 1989, Mr. Ridout was admitted to the California Bar that same year.  He has also been admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Southern, Central, and Northern Districts of California; the United States District Court for the District of Colorado; the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota; the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio; and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.