Legal Showdown: Attorneys Slam Uber’s ‘Extraordinary and Unprecedented’ Bid to Delay California Sexual Assault Bellwether Trial Over Ad Campaign
In a heated escalation ahead of a high-stakes bellwether trial, plaintiffs’ attorneys are fiercely opposing Uber’s request to postpone the January 13, 2026, sexual assault trial in California federal court, labeling the motion an “extraordinary and unprecedented” attempt at prior restraint on free speech. The Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC) called Uber’s push—tied to a recent ad campaign highlighting assault reports—a direct attack on political expression.
The dispute stems from Uber’s December motion before U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer in the Northern District of California, seeking to delay the first bellwether case in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) involving hundreds of sexual assault claims against the rideshare giant. Uber argued that CAOC-sponsored ads, aired during the 2025 World Series and claiming a sexual assault or misconduct report to Uber “every eight minutes,” risked tainting the jury pool with “misleading” information.
CAOC fired back in a December 29 filing, defending the ads as protected political speech aimed at public awareness and legislative reform. Lead plaintiffs’ counsel described Uber’s additional request to subpoena CAOC over the campaign as “outlandish” and “meritless,” insisting no evidence shows the ads have prejudiced potential jurors.
This bellwether trial is part of a massive MDL consolidating over 2,500 federal claims alleging Uber failed to implement adequate safety measures, such as better background checks or in-app features, leading to assaults by drivers. Outcomes from early trials like this could shape settlements or verdicts in thousands of similar cases nationwide.
Experts note Uber’s strategy echoes common defense tactics in high-profile litigation to delay unfavorable proceedings, but critics argue it undermines victims’ access to timely justice. Parallel state-level cases in California have seen mixed results, including a 2025 verdict finding Uber negligent but not liable in one instance.
For U.S. readers, this Uber sexual assault bellwether trial delay fight highlights ongoing debates over corporate accountability in the gig economy. Rideshare safety affects millions daily, influencing app usage, insurance rates, and policy calls for stricter regulations—potentially impacting urban mobility and women’s safety concerns amid rising assault reports.
As Judge Breyer weighs the motion, the case underscores tensions between free speech, fair trials, and victim advocacy in one of America’s largest ongoing mass torts.
This Uber bellwether trial postponement battle over the ad campaign intensifies scrutiny on rideshare safety practices. With the January date looming, resolution could set precedents for handling media influence in sensitive litigation.
By Mark Smith
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