In re PowerSchool Holdings, Inc., and PowerSchool Group, LLC Customer Data Security Breach Litigation

Summary

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation orders centralization of 32 actions involving the PowerSchool customer data security breach, along with related actions, in the Southern District of California. The Panel concludes that the actions share common factual and legal questions and that centralization will promote convenience and efficient pretrial proceedings. The cases are assigned to Judge Roger T. Benitez for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.

Holdings

1. Centralization was warranted because the actions involved common questions of fact concerning the PowerSchool cybersecurity incident, the adequacy of PowerSchool's data-security practices, and notice to affected persons.
2. The Southern District of California was an appropriate transferee district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.
3. The Panel rejected informal coordination as the most efficient means of resolving the litigation.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the related actions involved common questions of fact warranting centralization under 28 U.S.C. § 1407.
2. Whether centralization would serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.
3. Which federal district should serve as the transferee district for coordinated or consolidated pretrial proceedings.

Disposition

other