Munoz v. Alorica, Inc. — 9th Cir. (Jul 10, 2026)
The Ninth Circuit reviews class certification in an ERISA lawsuit over Alorica's 401(k) plan. Former participants say the plan offered imprudent investments and paid excessive recordkeeping fees. The defendants argue that the named plaintiffs cannot represent participants who chose other funds and that the proposed fee model would harm some class members. On July 30, 2026, the panel held that the plaintiffs had standing but vacated certification because the district court had not rigorously analyzed typicality or a possible conflict within the class. It remanded without deciding whether any class should ultimately be certified.
Munoz v. Alorica, Inc. (No. 25-7359) — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, argued July 10, 2026.
Sources
Argument audio — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit (public domain, 17 U.S.C. § 105):https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/media/2026/07/10/25-7359.mp3
Argument listing — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/cases/streams-videos/archive?case=25-7359&hearingDate=2026-07-10
Memorandum disposition — U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit:https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/memoranda/2026/07/30/25-7359.pdf
Alorica defendants' opening brief — Ninth Circuit docket:https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Ninth_Circuit/25-7359/Munoz_et_al._v._Alorica_Inc._et_al/docs/16.pdf?download=true
Plaintiffs' answering brief — Ninth Circuit docket:https://www.docketalarm.com/cases/US_Court_of_Appeals_Ninth_Circuit/25-7359/Munoz_et_al._v._Alorica_Inc._et_al/docs/19.pdf?download=true
Counsel calendar — U.S. District Court for the Central District of California:https://apps.cacd.uscourts.gov/JpsApi/file/360d6cf5-ab06-48d7-665e-08de4e3a8f33
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure — U.S. Courts:https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf
Mike Prame — Groom Law Group:https://www.groom.com/attorneys-professionals/michael-prame/
Christina Humphrey — Christina Humphrey Law:https://www.chumphreylaw.com/about/christina-humphrey/
Independent case review — Your ERISA Watch:https://www.yourerisawatch.com/2026/08/ninth-circuit-reaffirms-effective-vindication-doctrine/
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:48Advocate — Mike Prame
- 4:04Rule 23
- 11:22Advocate — Christina Humphrey