Critical Mass with Law.com’s Amanda Bronstad: Antitrust Class Actions Target Higher Education, Coinbase Cases Consolidated in New York
New York, NY – August 13, 2025
In this week’s Law.com Class Actions: Critical Mass briefing, reporter Amanda Bronstad highlights a surge in antitrust class actions aimed at higher education institutions and the consolidation of Coinbase data breach lawsuits in New York’s Southern District. The developments signal growing legal scrutiny over institutional practices and cybersecurity failures, with significant implications for both sectors.
Antitrust Class Actions Hit Higher Education
A recent antitrust class action has been filed against the Law School Admission Council (LSAC), alleging that it conspired with its member law schools to fix the price of law school admissions processes. The lawsuit, shared by Bronstad on LinkedIn, claims LSAC and its affiliates engaged in anti-competitive behavior, inflating costs for prospective students. This case is part of a broader wave of antitrust litigation targeting higher education, as reported by Law.com Radar, which notes a climbing trend in such lawsuits.
The complaint argues that LSAC’s practices restricted competition among law schools, burdening applicants with standardized fees and limiting their ability to negotiate or seek more affordable options. “This is about fairness for students already facing steep financial hurdles,” said a plaintiff’s attorney quoted in the filing. The case, still in its early stages, could set a precedent for challenging centralized admission systems across higher education.
Legal experts suggest this lawsuit reflects growing frustration with the rising costs of education. “Antitrust scrutiny is expanding beyond traditional industries like tech or pharmaceuticals,” said Professor Laura Simmons of UC Berkeley. “Higher education is now a target as students and families demand transparency.” The outcome could reshape how admissions processes are structured, potentially lowering barriers for applicants.
Coinbase Data Breach Cases Coordinated in New York
In a separate development, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) has transferred class actions related to Coinbase’s 2021 data breach to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where they will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos. Bronstad reported on August 8, 2025, via X that these lawsuits, which allege Coinbase failed to secure user data, will be consolidated to streamline discovery and pretrial proceedings.
The lawsuits stem from a breach that exposed personal information of thousands of Coinbase users, raising concerns about the cryptocurrency platform’s cybersecurity measures. Plaintiffs claim Coinbase’s negligence led to financial losses and identity theft risks. A May 28, 2025, Critical Mass column noted that an Oregon jury awarded $35 million in a related wildfire verdict, underscoring the high stakes of data breach litigation.
“Consolidating these cases in New York makes sense given the complexity and volume of claims,” Bronstad wrote in her August 13 briefing. The move is expected to expedite resolution for plaintiffs while allowing Coinbase to address allegations in a single forum. The litigation also involves prominent firms like Hagens Berman, known for handling high-profile class actions, and touches on broader issues of accountability in the crypto industry.
Additional Legal Notes
Bronstad’s briefing also flagged other developments, including lawsuits against LexisNexis over data practices and claims targeting Southern California Edison for wildfire-related damages. RealPage, a property management software company, faces scrutiny in separate litigation, though details remain limited. These cases highlight the diverse range of class actions shaping the legal landscape.
As antitrust and data breach lawsuits gain momentum, Bronstad’s reporting underscores the evolving challenges facing institutions and corporations. For updates, readers can contact Bronstad at abronstad@alm.com or follow her on X (@abronstadlaw).