Karina G. Puttieva is an associate in Cohen Milstein’s Consumer Protection practice. Her practice focuses on litigating class actions on behalf of consumers who have been misled, deceived or harmed by large corporations. Her work often addresses the intersection of data privacy, consumer fraud, and the misappropriation and sale of consumer data.
Karina is also a member of the firm’s Hiring and Diversity Committee and plays an integral role in the annual fellowship program.
Prior to joining Cohen Milstein, Karina was a litigation associate at a highly regarded national defense firm.
- Board Member, Public Justice (2024)
- California
- District of Columbia
- University of California, Berkeley School of Law, J.D., 2017
- Haverford College, B.A., magna cum laude, 2011
Current Cases
DZ Reserve et al. v. Meta Platforms
DZ Reserve et al. v. Meta Platforms (N.D. Cal.): Cohen Milstein represents advertisers who claim that Facebook’s Potential Reach metric is false and misleading due to systemic inflation of the Potential Reach. The court granted class certification on March 29, 2022. On March 21, 2024, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed the lower court's class certification ruling for the damages class.
General Motors Litigation
General Motors Litigation (E.D. Mich.): Cohen Milstein, as court-appointed Lead Counsel and Plaintiff Steering Committee Chair, represents a certified class of consumers in more than 25 states who purchased or leased new and used vehicles manufactured by GM in a consolidated breach of warranty and deceptive and fraudulent business practices class action against GM. Plaintiffs bring their claims under state consumer protection statutes and express and implied warranty law of their respective states, related to GM's manufacture and sale of defective eight-speed automatic transmissions (GM 8L90 or the 8L45), manufactured by between 2015 and 2019.
In re MGM Resorts International Data Breach Litigation
In re MGM Resorts International Data Breach Litigation (D. Nev.): On February 1, 2021, Cohen Milstein’s Douglas J. McNamara was appointed Co-Lead Interim Class Counsel in this consolidated data breach class action against MGM Resorts for failing to implement reasonable data security practices, thereby allowing the personal information of between 10.6 million and 142 million MGM hotel guests and customers to be stolen on or about July 7, 2019.
TR CLEAR Data Privacy Litigation
Brooks, et al. v. Thomson Reuters (N.D. Cal.): Cohen Milstein is representing a class of putative plaintiffs who claim that Thomson Reuters’s CLEAR platform not only surreptitiously collects vast quantities of Californians’ personal data but then sells this information to third parties, including commercial and government entities. On October 9, 2024, the court verbally granted preliminary approval of a $27.5 million settlement.
TikTok Child Privacy Litigation
Villanueva, et al. v. Bytedance Inc., et al. (C.D. Cal.): Cohen Milstein is representing parents of children, who are minors, in a putative consumer protection class action who claim that TikTok collects and uses their young children’s personal information without providing direct notice to parents or gaining parents’ verifiable consent in violation of the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (“COPPA”) and the COPPA Rule.
Investigations
TikTok Child Privacy Investigation
DOJ Says TikTok Violates Children’s Privacy The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has alleged that TikTok committed “unlawful massive-scale invasions of children’s privacy.” The DOJ’s complaint alleges that TikTok: Parents: Help Hold TikTok Accountable We are investigating whether TikTok’s alleged privacy violations could form the basis for a class action lawsuit. By banding together to press their […]
October 30, 2024
$27.5M Thomson Reuters Settlement Payout
Most Californians are now eligible for a class action settlement claim and could receive an estimated $19 to $48, after a $27.5 million was reached between two Oakland activists and Thomson Reuters over its Clear platform. U.S. District Court Judge Edward M. Chen tentatively approved the settlement in the Northern District of California on Oct. […]
In the News | KTVU
October 10, 2024
Thomson Reuters Gets Initial OK on $27.5M Privacy Suit Deal
A San Francisco federal judge Wednesday preliminarily approved Thomson Reuters’ $27.5 million deal to settle a certified class action alleging that the information conglomerate violated the privacy rights of 40 million Californians by secretly collecting their data to sell “cradle-to-grave dossiers.” U.S. District Judge Edward M. Chen told the parties during a hearing held in […]
In the News | Law360
August 28, 2024
Sixth Circuit Affirms Class Certification in Massive Defective Transmission Lawsuit Against GM
Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit affirmed a class certification granted on March 20, 2023 in a massive class action lawsuit across 26 states against General Motors that alleges the car manufacturer violated state consumer protection statutes by knowingly putting cars with faulty transmissions on the road, endangering drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.
Press Releases | Cohen Milstein
August 8, 2024
9th Circ. Won’t Rethink OK’ing Ad Class Cert. Against Meta
The Ninth Circuit refused Thursday to rethink a split panel decision affirming certification of a damages class of potentially millions of advertisers who were allegedly deceived about Facebook’s “potential reach” tool, rejecting Meta Platforms Inc.’s warnings of unchecked fraud class actions. According to the one-page order, U.S. Circuit Judges J. Clifford Wallace and Sidney R. […]
In the News | Law360
April 17, 2024
Second Class Action Filed Against General Motors for Defective Transmissions
Purchasers of new and used GM vehicles manufactured between 2015 – 2019 equipped with GM’s 8-speed transmission filed a product defect and consumer protection class action against GM for an alleged defective transmission design of GM’s Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission or Hydra-Matic 8L45 transmission, which causes vehicles to suddenly lurch forward, shudder, and experience significant delays in acceleration. The plaintiffs in ten states claim GM was aware of the transmission defects that pose safety risks to drivers and passengers.
Press Releases | Cohen Milstein
March 22, 2024
9th Circ. Partially Backs Meta Class Cert. In Ad Reach Row
A split Ninth Circuit panel on Thursday affirmed certification of a damages class of Meta Platforms advertisers who were allegedly deceived about Facebook’s “potential reach” tool, but upended certification of an injunction class, telling the district court to take a fresh look at whether the lead plaintiff actually has standing. The panel majority, in a […]
In the News | Law360
March 22, 2024
Ninth Circuit Affirms Class Certification Against Meta Platforms
Consumer class action addresses Meta Platforms fraudulently misleading advertisers with inflated metrics about “potential reach.” WASHINGTON, DC– The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed a district court’s 2022 order certifying a class of advertisers who paid Meta Platforms, Inc. (Meta) to place advertisements on its social media platforms (the damages class). […]
Press Releases | Cohen Milstein
October 29, 2023
Karina Puttieva to Speak on Proving Damages in Price Premium Cases
Karina Puttieva, an associate in our Consumer Protection practice, has been invited to speak at the National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Class Action Symposium at the Hyatt Regency Chicago on October 26-29, 2023. Ms. Puttieva’s panel, Proving Damages in Price Premium Cases: Models, Experts and the Amendments to FRE Rule 702, is scheduled for 8:45 […]
Events | National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Class Action Symposium
July 9, 2023
Karina Puttieva Invited to Speak on Careers in Plaintiffs’ Law
Karina Puttieva, an associate in Cohen Milstein’s Consumer Protection practice, has been invited by the People’s Parity Project to speak on a career panel at the 2023 Convening on July 8, 2023 at 10:45 a.m. at the Eaton Hotel in Washington D.C. Karina’s panel will focus on pursuing a litigation career at a plaintiffs’ law […]
Events | People's Parity Project 2023 Convening
October 17, 2023
Calif. Delete Act Paves Way for Data Broker Accountability
For far too long, data brokers who work out of the public eye to collect and sell all types of consumer data have been allowed to profit with little oversight. Most consumers don’t even know that vast quantities of their personal information are regularly sold into a fast-growing, $240 billion market — let alone consent […]
Articles | Law360
March 23, 2023
Mich. Judge Sends GM Transmission Dispute To Arbitration
A Michigan federal judge has sent a proposed class’s claims that they purchased General Motor vehicles with a defective transmission to arbitration, agreeing with the auto giant that the buyers signed paperwork that included an arbitration clause. U.S. District Judge David M. Lawson said Tuesday that the plaintiffs in the proposed class action signed agreements, […]
In the News | Law360
March 21, 2023
GM Drivers Win Class Status in Suits Over Bucking Transmission
Common Issues Dominate; Classwide Damages Method Shown Affected models include Camaro, Escalade, Silverado, Yukon General Motors LLC must faces class actions by drivers in 26 states who allege flawed transmissions made their vehicles “slip, buck, kick, jerk and harshly engage.” At issue are certain 2015-2019 GM cars and trucks equipped with Hydra-Matic 8L90 and 8L45 […]
In the News | Bloomberg Law
March 20, 2023
Judge Grants Class Action Status in GM Faulty Transmission Lawsuit
A judge has granted class action certification to a lawsuit involving 39 plaintiffs across 26 states — including Michigan — that accuses General Motors of knowingly selling cars with faulty transmissions. On Monday, David Lawson, U.S. District judge for the Eastern District of Michigan, granted class certification in the case of Speerly vs. GM, which […]
In the News | Detroit Free Press
May 5, 2022
Federal Judge Rules Marriott Data Breach Class Action May Proceed
Consumers might be able to recover damages for the inherent value of their personal information stolen during the breach based upon Marriott’s own valuation of that same data. A federal judge in Maryland has granted class certification in a data breach impacting over 133 million American consumers against hotel chain Marriott and its data security […]
In the News | Hospitality Technology
May 5, 2022
Federal Judge Rules Massive Marriott Data Breach Class Action May Proceed
Claims about company’s lax data security, which led to breach that impacted over 133 million guest records, moving forward on behalf of nearly 45 million consumers as a certified class GREENBELT, Md.– A federal judge in Maryland has granted class certification in a data breach impacting over 133 million American consumers against hotel chain […]
Press Releases
May 4, 2022
Marriott Guests Get Partial Class Certification in Breach Suit
Some Marriott International Inc. guests were granted class status by a Maryland federal judge in litigation over a major data breach that compromised the personal information of 133.7 million guests at its Starwood-branded hotels, while others classes were denied certification. Plaintiffs filed a would-be class action alleging that Marriott took more than four years to […]
In the News | Bloomberg Law
May 4, 2022
8 Classes of Marriott Guests Certified in Data Breach MDL
A Maryland federal judge certified eight classes of Marriott International Inc. guests in multidistrict litigation over a major data breach that compromised the personal information of more than 100 million guests at its Starwood-branded hotels, although some other classes were denied certification. U.S. District Judge Paul W. Grimm granted certification on Tuesday to eight of 13 potential guest […]
In the News | Law360
March 29, 2022
Meta’s Barrage of Arguments Can’t Stop Ad Reach Class Cert.
A California federal judge certified a class of Facebook advertisers that claim they were deceived about the company’s “potential reach” tool, ruling that parent company Meta Platforms inc. made an unfocused “blunderbuss of objections” to certification that did not hold up to scrutiny. Tuesday’s order from U.S. District Judge James Donato certified a class of […]
In the News | Law360
April 26, 2021
Facebook Advertising Chief Worried About Whether It Overstated Reach
Carolyn Everson’s emails in long-running lawsuit say social network should ‘prepare for worst’ Carolyn Everson, one of Facebook’s most senior advertising executives, said the company had to “prepare for the worst” over claims that it overstated the reach of its advertisements, according to newly released court filings. The world’s largest social network has been fighting […]
In the News | Financial Times
April 26, 2021
Facebook Advertisers Seek Cert. in Inflated Ad Reach Suit
Facebook advertisers asked a California federal judge Friday to certify their proposed class claims that the company bolsters its advertising revenue by inflating the potential estimated reach of ads on the platform. The case is ripe for class treatment because it alleges classwide fraud perpetrated by Facebook with its misleading data for how many people […]
In the News | Law360
February 18, 2021
Facebook Reported Revenue It ‘Should Have Never Made’, Manager Claimed
Lawsuit cites product executive’s qualms over figures provided to advertisers A Facebook employee warned that the company reported revenues it “should have never made” by overstating how many users advertisers could reach, according to internal emails revealed in a newly unsealed court filing. The world’s largest social media company has since 2018 been fighting a […]
In the News | Financial Times
March 24, 2020
Facebook Knew Audience Metric Was Bogus for Years, Amended Lawsuit Claims
New information has emerged in a class action lawsuit against the social media giant. Advertisers who turned to Facebook for the massive reach of its platform have been bamboozled by a faulty metric that executives have known about for years, according to an amended complaint filed last week in a lawsuit originally filed in 2018. […]
In the News | The Motley Fool
March 20, 2020
Facebook Accused in Amended Lawsuit of Knowing Ad Audiences Were Inflated
Social-media giant says estimates weren’t guarantees, didn’t harm customers; court filing includes employee worrying about possible lawsuit in email Facebook Inc. employees were aware that the company was overestimating how many people advertisers could reach, according to an amended complaint filed this week in a nearly two-year-old lawsuit accusing the company of misrepresenting that data. […]
In the News | The Wall Street Journal
March 20, 2020
Facebook Executives Allegedly ‘Knew for Years’ About Misleading Metric
New court documents claim company was aware key ad metric was exaggerating marketing reach. Facebook executives allegedly “knew for years” that a key advertising metric was exaggerating how many users might see commercials on its site, but have failed to disclose or fix the problem, according to filings from a class-action lawsuit against the company. New court […]
In the News | Financial Times