$49 Million Class Action Settlement Reached on Behalf of BAR/BRI Bar Review Course Students

LOS ANGELES, May 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Individuals who purchased a BAR/BRI bar review course in the U.S., between August 1, 1997 and July 31, 2006, have until September 17, 2007 to make a claim in a $49 million settlement of a class action against BAR/BRI and Kaplan, Inc. The case, Rodriguez v. West Publishing Corp., Case No. CV-05-3222 R(MCx), is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

BAR/BRI provides full-service bar review courses to would-be attorneys preparing to take one or more bar examinations required by each state and the District of Columbia prior to the issuance of a license to practice law. Plaintiffs allege that BAR/BRI agreed not to compete with Kaplan, Inc. in the LSAT review business and Kaplan, Inc. agreed not to compete in the bar review business, thereby violating federal antitrust laws by preventing a competitive bar review course from being marketed and sold. Plaintiffs further allege that as a result of Defendants' conduct, consumers paid more for BAR/BRI bar review courses. Defendants deny these allegations and contend that their conduct was legal. The Court has not determined whether Plaintiffs or Defendants' contentions are correct. The parties agreed to settle the case to avoid the risks and expense of further litigation.

As a part of the Settlement, Defendants have agreed to establish a $49 million Fund. The Settlement also provides for other non-monetary relief.

Class Members are eligible to obtain up to 30% of the total amount they paid for a bar review course from the Fund. The Class includes persons who purchased a BAR/BRI full-service bar review course between August 1, 1997 and July 31, 2006, unless they requested exclusion on or before August 13, 2006.

In order to make a claim, Class Members must file a claim form no later than September 17, 2007. Claim forms and instructions for filing are available at http://www.barbri-classaction.com/. Class Members who timely submit claims will not receive payment unless the Court approves the Settlement and any appeals are final.

Class Members seeking additional information on the lawsuit or their legal rights, may call 1-888-285-7850, visit the informational website http://www.barbri-classaction.com/, or write to BAR/BRI Class Counsel, Eliot G. Disner, Esq., McGuireWoods, LLP, 1800 Century Park East, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067.