stores dukes et argued march decided june respondents current former employees petitioner sought judgment company injunctive declaratory relief punitive damages backpay behalf nationwide class million female employees alleged discrimination women violation title vii civil rights act claim local managers exercise discretion pay promotions disproportionately favor men unlawful disparate impact female employees refusal cabin managers authority amounts disparate treatment district certified class finding respondents satisfied federal rule civil procedure rule requirement showing party opposing class acted refused act grounds apply generally class final injunctive relief corresponding declaratory relief appropriate respecting class whole ninth circuit substantially affirmed concluding inter alia respondents met rule commonality requirement backpay claims certified part class claims predominate declaratory injunctive relief requests also ruled class action manageably tried without depriving right present statutory defenses district selected random set claims valuation extrapolated validity value untested claims sample set held certification plaintiff class consistent rule pp rule requires party seeking class certification prove class common questions law fact claims must depend upon common contention nature capable classwide resolution means determination truth falsity resolve issue central validity one claims one stroke proof commonality necessarily overlaps respondents merits contention engages pattern practice discrimination crux title vii inquiry reason particular employment decision cooper federal reserve bank richmond respondents wish sue millions employment decisions without glue holding together alleged reasons decisions impossible say examination class members claims produce common answer crucial discrimination question pp general telephone southwest falcon describes proper approach commonality facts case conceptual gap individual discrimination claim existence class persons suffered injury must bridged ignificant proof employer operated general policy discrimination proof absent announced policy forbids sex discrimination company penalties denials equal opportunity respondents evidence general discrimination policy sociologist analysis asserting corporate culture made vulnerable gender bias estimate percent employment decisions might determined stereotypical thinking testimony worlds away significant proof operated general policy discrimination pp corporate policy plaintiffs evidence convincingly establishes policy giving local supervisors discretion employment matters policy basis title vii claim recognizing claim exist mean every employee company policy common claim company size geographical scope unlikely managers exercise discretion common way without common direction respondents attempt show direction means statistical anecdotal evidence falls well short pp respondents backpay claims improperly certified rule pp claims monetary relief may certified rule least monetary relief incidental requested injunctive declaratory relief unnecessary decide whether monetary claims ever certified rule minimum claims individualized relief like backpay excluded rule applies single indivisible remedy provide relief class member rule history structure indicate individualized monetary claims belong instead rule procedural protections predominance superiority mandatory notice right opt pp respondents nonetheless argue backpay claims appropriately certified rule claims predominate injunctive declaratory relief requests interpretation basis rule text obvious violence rule structural features mere predominance proper injunctive claim nothing justify eliminating rule procedural protections creates incentives class representatives place risk potentially valid monetary relief claims moreover district reevaluate roster class members continuously excise leave employment become ineligible classwide injunctive declaratory relief contrast properly certified class action backpay irrelevant whether plaintiffs still employed follows backpay claims certified rule pp unnecessary decide whether forms incidental monetary relief consistent interpretation rule due process clause respondents backpay claims incidental requested injunction entitled individualized determinations employee eligibility backpay plaintiff establishes pattern practice discrimination district must usually conduct additional proceedings determine scope individual relief teamsters company raise individual affirmative defenses demonstrate action lawful ninth circuit erred trying replace proceedings trial formula rule interpreted abridge enlarge modify substantive right class certified premise entitled litigate statutory defenses individual claims pp reversed scalia delivered opinion roberts kennedy thomas alito joined ginsburg breyer sotomayor kagan joined parts iii ginsburg filed opinion concurring part dissenting part breyer sotomayor kagan joined stores petitioner betty dukes et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice scalia delivered opinion presented one expansive class actions ever district appeals approved certification class comprising one half million plaintiffs current former female employees petitioner allege discretion exercised local supervisors pay promotion matters violates title vii women addition injunctive declaratory relief plaintiffs seek award backpay consider whether certification plaintiff class consistent federal rules civil procedure petitioner nation largest private employer operates four types retail stores throughout country discount stores supercenters neighborhood markets sam clubs stores divided seven nationwide divisions turn comprise regions stores apiece store separate departments staff positions operates approximately stores employs one million people pay promotion decisions generally committed local managers broad discretion exercised largely subjective manner nd cal local store managers may increase wages hourly employees within limits limited corporate oversight salaried employees store managers deputies higher corporate authorities discretion set pay preestablished ranges promotions work similar fashion permits store managers apply subjective criteria selecting candidates support managers first step path management admission management training program however require candidate meet certain objective criteria including performance rating least one year tenure applicant current position willingness relocate except requirements regional district managers discretion use judgment selecting candidates management training promotion higher office assistant manager store manager similarly discretion employee superiors prescribed objective factors satisfied named plaintiffs lawsuit representing million members certified class three current former employees allege company discriminated basis sex denying equal pay promotions violation title vii civil rights act stat amended et betty dukes began working pittsburgh california started cashier later sought received promotion customer service manager series disciplinary violations however dukes demoted back cashier greeter dukes concedes violated company policy contends disciplinary actions fact retaliation invoking internal complaint procedures male employees disciplined similar infractions dukes also claims two male greeters pittsburgh store paid christine kwapnoski worked sam club stores missouri california adult life held number positions including supervisory position claims male manager yelled frequently screamed female employees men manager question told wear makeup dress little better app final named plaintiff edith arana worked store duarte california approached store manager one occasion management training brushed arana concluded denied opportunity advancement sex initiated internal complaint procedures whereupon told apply directly district manager thought store manager unfair arana however decided never applied management training fired failure comply timekeeping policy plaintiffs respondents allege express corporate policy advancement women rather claim local managers discretion pay promotions exercised disproportionately favor men leading unlawful disparate impact female employees see respondents say aware effect refusal cabin managers authority amounts disparate treatment see complaint seeks injunctive declaratory relief punitive damages backpay ask compensatory damages importantly purposes respondents claim discrimination subjected common female employees basic theory case strong uniform corporate culture permits bias women infect perhaps subconsciously discretionary decisionmaking one thousands managers thereby making every woman company victim one common discriminatory practice respondents therefore wish litigate title vii claims female employees stores nationwide class action class certification governed federal rule civil procedure rule party seeking certification must demonstrate first class numerous joinder members impracticable questions law fact common class claims defenses representative parties typical claims defenses class representative parties fairly adequately protect interests class paragraph breaks added second proposed class must satisfy least one three requirements listed rule respondents rely rule applies party opposing class acted refused act grounds apply generally class final injunctive relief corresponding declaratory relief appropriate respecting class whole invoking provisions respondents moved district certify plaintiff class consisting women employed domestic retail store time since december may subjected challenged pay management track promotions policies practices quoting plaintiff motion class certification case nd cal doc evidence indeed questions law fact common women rule requires respondents relied chiefly three forms proof statistical evidence pay promotion disparities men women company anecdotal reports discrimination female employees testimony sociologist william bielby conducted social framework analysis culture personnel practices concluded company vulnerable gender discrimination en banc unsuccessfully moved strike much evidence also offered countervailing statistical proof effort defeat rule requirements commonality typicality adequate representation contended respondents monetary claims backpay certified rule first rule refers injunctive declaratory relief second backpay claims manageably tried class without depriving right present certain statutory defenses one limitation relevant district granted respondents motion certified proposed divided en banc appeals substantially affirmed district certification order majority concluded respondents evidence commonality sufficient raise common question whether female employees nationwide subjected single set corporate policies merely number independent discriminatory acts may worked unlawfully discriminate violation title vii emphasis deleted also agreed district named plaintiffs claims sufficiently typical class whole satisfy rule serve adequate class representatives see rule respect rule question ninth circuit held respondents backpay claims certified part class predominat requests declaratory injunctive relief meaning superior strength influence authority nonmonetary claims internal quotation marks omitted finally appeals determined action manageably tried class action district adopt approach ninth circuit approved hilao estate marcos compensatory damages class members calculated selecting claims random referring claims special master valuation extrapolating validity value untested claims sample set see appeals aw reason similar procedure used hilao employed case allow present individual defenses randomly selected cases thus revealing approximate percentage class members whose unequal pay nonpromotion due something gender discrimination emphasis deleted granted certiorari ii class action exception usual rule litigation conducted behalf individual named parties califano yamasaki order justify departure rule class representative must part class interest suffer injury class members east tex motor freight system rodriguez quoting schlesinger reservists comm stop war rule ensures named plaintiffs appropriate representatives class whose claims wish litigate rule four requirements numerosity commonality typicality adequate representation effectively class claims fairly encompassed named plaintiff claims general telephone southwest falcon quoting general telephone northwest eeoc crux case commonality rule requiring plaintiff show questions law fact common class rule language easy misread since ny competently crafted class complaint literally raises common nagareda class certification age aggregate proof rev example us plaintiffs indeed work managers discretion pay unlawful employment practice remedies get reciting questions sufficient obtain class certification commonality requires plaintiff demonstrate class members suffered injury falcon supra mean merely suffered violation law title vii example violated many ways intentional discrimination hiring promotion criteria result disparate impact use practices part many different superiors single company quite obviously mere claim employees company suffered title vii injury even title vii injury gives cause believe claims productively litigated claims must depend upon common contention example assertion discriminatory bias part supervisor common contention moreover must nature capable classwide resolution means determination truth falsity resolve issue central validity one claims one stroke matters class certification raising common even droves rather capacity classwide proceeding generate common answers apt drive resolution litigation dissimilarities within proposed class potential impede generation common answers nagareda supra rule set forth mere pleading standard party seeking class certification must affirmatively demonstrate compliance rule must prepared prove fact sufficiently numerous parties common questions law fact etc recognized falcon sometimes may necessary probe behind pleadings coming rest certification question certification proper trial satisfied rigorous analysis prerequisites rule satisfied see ctual presumed conformance rule remains indispensable frequently rigorous analysis entail overlap merits plaintiff underlying claim class determination generally involves considerations enmeshed factual legal issues comprising plaintiff cause action falcon supra quoting coopers lybrand livesay internal quotation marks omitted anything unusual consequence necessity touching aspects merits order resolve preliminary matters jurisdiction venue familiar feature litigation see szabo bridgeport machines easterbrook case proof commonality necessarily overlaps respondents merits contention engages pattern practice resolving individual title vii claim crux inquiry reason particular employment decision cooper federal reserve bank richmond respondents wish sue literally millions employment decisions without glue holding alleged reasons decisions together impossible say examination class members claims relief produce common answer crucial question disfavored opinion falcon describes commonality issue must approached employee claimed deliberately denied promotion account race obtained certification class comprising employees wrongfully denied promotions applicants wrongfully denied jobs rejected composite class lack commonality typicality explaining conceptually wide gap individual claim denied promotion higher pay discriminatory grounds otherwise unsupported allegation company policy discrimination existence class persons suffered injury individual individual claim class claim share common questions law fact individual claim typical class claims falcon suggested two ways conceptual gap might bridged first employer used biased testing procedure evaluate applicants employment incumbent employees class action behalf every applicant employee might prejudiced test clearly satisfy commonality typicality requirements rule second ignificant proof employer operated general policy discrimination conceivably justify class applicants employees discrimination manifested hiring promotion practices general fashion entirely subjective decisionmaking processes ibid think statement precisely describes respondents burden case first manner bridging gap obviously application testing procedure companywide evaluation method charged bias whole point permitting discretionary decisionmaking avoid evaluating employees common standard second manner bridging gap requires significant proof operated general policy discrimination entirely absent announced policy forbids sex discrimination see app district recognized company imposes penalties denials equal employment opportunity evidence general policy discrimination respondents produced testimony william bielby sociological expert relying social framework analysis bielby testified strong corporate culture makes gender bias however determine specificity regularly stereotypes play meaningful role employment decisions deposition bielby conceded calculate whether percent percent employment decisions might determined stereotyped thinking nd cal parties dispute whether bielby testimony even met standards admission expert testimony federal rule civil procedure daubert case see daubert merrell dow pharmaceuticals district concluded daubert apply expert testimony certification stage proceedings doubt even properly considered bielby testimony nothing advance respondents case hether percent percent employment decisions might determined stereotyped thinking essential question respondents theory commonality depends bielby admittedly answer question safely disregard say worlds away significant proof operated general policy discrimination corporate policy plaintiffs evidence convincingly establishes policy allowing discretion local supervisors employment matters face course opposite uniform employment practice provide commonality needed class action policy uniform employment practices also common presumptively reasonable way business one said raise inference discriminatory conduct watson fort worth bank trust sure recognized appropriate cases giving discretion supervisors basis title vii liability theory since employer undisciplined system subjective decisionmaking precisely effects system pervaded impermissible intentional discrimination recognition type title vii claim exist lead conclusion every employee company using system discretion claim common contrary left devices managers corporation surely managers corporation forbids sex discrimination select criteria hiring promotion produce actionable disparity others may choose reward various attributes produce disparate impact scores general aptitude tests educational achievements see griggs duke power still managers may guilty intentional discrimination produces disparity company demonstrating invalidity one manager use discretion nothing demonstrate invalidity another party seeking certify nationwide class unable show employees title vii claims fact depend answers common questions respondents identified common mode exercising discretion pervades entire company aside reliance bielby social frameworks analysis rejected company size geographical scope quite unbelievable managers exercise discretion common way without common direction respondents attempt make showing means statistical anecdotal evidence evidence falls well short statistical evidence consists primarily regression analyses performed richard drogin statistician marc bendick labor economist drogin conducted analysis comparing number women promoted management positions percentage women available pool hourly workers considering regional national data drogin concluded statistically significant disparities men women disparities explained gender discrimination internal quotation marks omitted bendick compared data competitive retailers concluded promotes lower percentage women competitors ibid even taken face value studies insufficient establish respondents theory proved classwide basis falcon held one named plaintiff experience discrimination insufficient infer discriminatory treatment typical employer employment practices similar failure inference arises judge ikuta observed dissent nformation disparities regional national level establish existence disparities individual stores let alone raise inference policy discrimination implemented discretionary decisions store district level regional pay disparity example may attributable small set stores establish uniform disparity upon plaintiffs theory commonality depends another fundamental respect respondents statistical proof fails even established pay promotion pattern differs nationwide figures regional figures stores still demonstrate commonality issue exists managers claim availability women qualified women interested women stores area mirror national regional statistics almost claim applying criteria whose nature effects differ store store landmark case held giving discretion supervisors basis title vii liability theory plurality opinion conditioned holding corollary merely proving discretionary system produced racial sexual disparity enough plaintiff must begin identifying specific employment practice challenged watson accord wards cove packing atonio approving statement superseded statute grounds necessary class plaintiffs sought certified bare existence delegated discretion respondents identified specific employment practice much less one ties million claims together merely showing policy discretion produced overall disparity suffice respondents anecdotal evidence suffers defects addition weak raise inference individual discretionary personnel decisions discriminatory teamsters addition substantial statistical evidence discrimination government plaintiff produced specific accounts racial discrimination particular individuals see number significant company involved employees minorities class consisted around persons overruled grounds teamsters supra anecdotes thus represented roughly one account every eight members class moreover appeals noted anecdotes came individuals spread throughout company part worked company operational centers employed largest numbers class members contrast respondents filed affidavits reporting experiences discrimination every class members relating stores ikuta dissenting half reports concentrated six alabama california florida missouri texas wisconsin half one two anecdotes anecdotes operations even every single one accounts true demonstrate entire company operate general policy discrimination falcon supra respondents must show certify companywide dissent misunderstands nature foregoing analysis criticizes focus dissimilarities putative class members ground blend ed rule commonality requirement rule inquiry whether common questions predominate individual ones see post ginsburg concurring part dissenting part quite agree purposes rule ven single common post quoting nagareda preexistence principle structure class action colum rev consider dissimilarities order determine rule requires whether common questions predominate order determine rule requires whether ven single common question respondents provide convincing proof companywide discriminatory pay promotion policy concluded established existence common sum agree chief judge kozinski members class held multitude different jobs different levels hierarchy variable lengths time stores sprinkled across kaleidoscope supervisors male female subject variety regional policies differed thrived others poorly little common sex lawsuit dissenting opinion iii also conclude respondents claims backpay improperly certified federal rule civil procedure opinion ticor title ins brown per curiam expressed serious doubt whether claims monetary relief may certified provision hold may least monetary relief incidental injunctive declaratory relief rule allows class treatment party opposing class acted refused act grounds apply generally class final injunctive relief corresponding declaratory relief appropriate respecting class whole one possible reading provision applies requests injunctive declaratory relief authorize class certification monetary claims need reach broader question case think minimum claims individualized relief like backpay issue satisfy rule key class indivisible nature injunctive declaratory remedy warranted notion conduct enjoined declared unlawful class members none nagareda words rule applies single injunction declaratory judgment provide relief member class authorize class certification individual class member entitled different injunction declaratory judgment defendant similarly authorize class certification class member entitled individualized award monetary damages interpretation accords history rule rule stems equity practice predated codification amchem products windsor determining meaning previously looked historical models rule based ortiz fibreboard observed amchem ivil rights cases parties charged unlawful discrimination prime examples meant capture particular rule reflects series decisions involving challenges racial segregation conduct remedied single classwide order none cases cited advisory committee examples antecedents plaintiffs combine claim individualized relief classwide injunction see advisory committee note citing cases potts flax brunson board trustees univ school dist clarendon per curiam frasier board trustees supp nc aff permitting combination individualized classwide relief class also inconsistent structure rule classes certified share traditional justifications class treatment individual adjudications impossible unworkable relief sought must perforce affect entire class class reason also mandatory classes rule provides opportunity class members opt even oblige district afford notice action rule contrast adventuresome innovation amendments amchem internal quotation marks omitted framed situations treatment clearly called quoting advisory committee notes allows class certification much wider set circumstances greater procedural protections prerequisites questions law fact common class members predominate questions affecting individual members class action superior available methods fairly efficiently adjudicating controversy rule unlike classes class mandatory class members entitled receive best notice practicable circumstances withdraw class option see rule given structure think clear monetary claims belong rule procedural protections attending class predominance superiority mandatory notice right opt missing rule considers unnecessary considers unnecessary class class seeks indivisible injunction benefitting members reason undertake inquiry whether class issues predominate whether class action superior method adjudicating dispute predominance superiority respect class member individualized claim money precisely requires judge make findings predominance superiority allowing class similarly require class members given notice optout rights presumably thought rightly wrongly notice purpose class mandatory depriving people right sue manner complies due process clause context class action predominantly money damages held absence notice violates due process see phillips petroleum shutts never held monetary claims predominate serious possibility may provides additional reason read rule include monetary claims conclusion respondents argue claims backpay appropriately certified part class rule claims predominate requests injunctive declaratory relief rely upon advisory committee statement rule extend cases appropriate final relief relates exclusively predominantly money damages emphasis added negative implication argue extend cases appropriate final relief relates partially nonpredominantly money damages course rule advisory committee description governs mere negative inference view suffice establish disposition basis rule text obvious violence rule structural features mere predominance proper injunctive claim nothing justify elimination rule procedural protections neither establishes superiority class adjudication individual adjudication cures notice problems fail see rule read nullify protections whenever plaintiff class option combines monetary claims request even predominating request injunction respondents predominance test moreover creates perverse incentives class representatives place risk potentially valid claims monetary relief case example named plaintiffs declined include employees claims compensatory damages complaint strategy including backpay claims made likely monetary relief predominate also created possibility predominance test correct individual class members claims precluded litigation power hold apart determined example particular class member entitled backpay denial increased pay promotion product discrimination employee might collaterally estopped independently seeking compensatory damages based denial possibility underscores need plaintiffs individual monetary claims decide whether tie fates class representatives go alone choice rule ensure predominance test also require district reevaluate roster class members continually ninth circuit recognized necessity concluded plaintiffs longer employed lack standing seek injunctive declaratory relief employment practices appeals response difficulty however eliminate former employees certified class eliminate left company employ date complaint filed solution logical connection problem since left jobs since complaint filed need prospective relief left beforehand consequence even though validity class depends whether final injunctive relief corresponding declaratory relief appropriate respecting class whole rule emphasis added half members class approved ninth circuit claim injunctive declaratory relief course alternative logical solution excising plaintiffs class leave employment may struck appeals wasteful district time indeed since backpay action properly certified class treatment ability litigate plaintiff backpay claim part class turn irrelevant question whether still employed follows however arbitrary limitation class membership imposed backpay claims certified rule finally respondents argue backpay claims appropriate class action backpay award equitable nature latter may true irrelevant rule speak equitable remedies generally injunctions declaratory judgments title vii makes pellucidly clear backpay neither see ii distinguishing declaratory relief payment backpay see allison citgo petroleum fifth circuit held class permit certification monetary relief incidental requested injunctive declaratory relief defined damages flow directly liability class whole claims forming basis injunctive declaratory relief view incidental damage require additional hearings resolve disparate merits individual case neither introduce new substantial legal factual issues entail complex individualized determinations ibid need decide case whether forms incidental monetary relief consistent interpretation rule announced comply due process clause respondents argue satisfy standard event contrary ninth circuit view entitled individualized determinations employee eligibility backpay title vii includes detailed remedial scheme plaintiff prevails showing employer discriminated violation statute may enjoin respondent unlawful employment practice order affirmative action may appropriate including reinstatement hiring employees without backpay equitable relief deems appropriate employer show took adverse employment action employee reason discrimination order hiring reinstatement promotion individual employee payment backpay established procedure trying cases gives effect statutory requirements plaintiff seeks individual relief reinstatement backpay establishing pattern practice discrimination district must usually conduct additional proceedings determine scope individual relief teamsters phase burden proof shift company right raise individual affirmative defenses may demonstrate individual applicant denied employment opportunity lawful reasons appeals believed possible replace proceedings trial formula sample set class members selected liability sex discrimination backpay owing result determined depositions supervised master percentage claims determined valid applied entire remaining class number presumptively valid claims thus derived multiplied average backpay award sample set arrive entire class recovery without individualized proceedings disapprove novel project rules enabling act forbids interpreting rule abridge enlarge modify substantive right see ortiz class certified premise entitled litigate statutory defenses individual claims necessity litigation prevent backpay incidental classwide injunction respondents class certified even assuming arguendo incidental monetary relief awarded class judgment appeals reversed stores petitioner betty dukes et al writ certiorari appeals ninth circuit june justice ginsburg justice breyer justice sotomayor justice kagan join concurring part dissenting part class case agree certified federal rule civil procedure plaintiffs alleging discrimination violation title vii et seek monetary relief merely incidental injunctive declaratory relief might available see ante putative class type may certifiable rule plaintiffs show common class tions predominate issues affecting individuals qualification amount backpay compensatory damages class action superior modes adjudication whether class plaintiffs describe meets specific requirements rule reserve matter consideration decision however disqualifies class starting gate holding plaintiffs cross commonality line set rule ruling imports rule determination concerns properly addressed rule assessment rule establishes preliminary requirement maintaining class action questions law fact common class rule require questions law fact raised litigation common newberg conte newberg class actions pp ed indeed ven single question law fact common members class satisfy commonality requirement nagareda preexistence principle structure class action colum rev see advisory committee notes fed rule civ proc citing approval cases question law fact common class members question ordinarily understood subject point open controversy american heritage dictionary ed see also black law dictionary ed defining question fact disputed issue resolved trial question law issue decided judge thus question common class must dispute either fact law resolution advance determination class members district recognizing one significant common class may sufficient warrant nd cal found plaintiffs easily met test absent error law abuse discretion appellate tribunal warrant upset district finding commonality see califano yamasaki ost issues arising rule committed first instance discretion district district certified class women employed domestic retail store time since december internal quotation marks omitted named plaintiffs led betty dukes propose litigate behalf class allegations discriminates basis gender pay promotions allege company eli es gender stereotypes making employment decisions promotion pay app permits prejudices infect personnel decisions plaintiffs contend leaving pay promotions hands nearly male managerial workforce using arbitrary subjective criteria ibid alleged barriers advancement female employees include company requirement condition promotion management jobs employees willing relocate absent instruction otherwise risk managers act familiar assumption women services husband children less mobile men see dept labor federal glass ceiling commission good business making full use nation human capital women fill percent hourly jobs retailer stores make percent management employees higher one looks organization lower percentage women plaintiffs largely uncontested descriptive statistics also show women working company stores paid less men every region salary gap widens time even men women hired jobs time ibid cf ledbetter goodyear tire rubber ginsburg dissenting district identified systems promoting employees sufficiently similar across regions stores conclude manner systems affect class raises issues common class members selection employees promotion management fairly characterized shoulder process managers discretion whose shoulders tap vacancies regularly posted among employees satisfying minimum qualifications managers choose promote basis subjective impressions ibid compensation policies also operate uniformly across stores district found retailer leaves open band every position hourly pay rate provides standards criteria setting wages within band thus nothing counter unconscious bias part supervisors see supervisors make discretionary decisions vacuum district reviewed means used maintain carefully constructed corporate culture frequent meetings reinforce common way thinking regular transfers managers stores ensure uniformity throughout company monitoring stores close basis tv broadcas stores internal quotation marks omitted plaintiffs evidence including class members tales suggests gender bias suffused company culture among illustrations senior management often refer female associates little janie qs plaintiffs motion class certification nd cal doc internal quotation marks omitted one manager told employee en make career women internal quotation marks omitted committee female executives concluded tereotypes limit opportunities offered women plaintiffs motion class certification nd cal doc internal quotation marks omitted finally plaintiffs presented expert appraisal show pay promotions disparities explained gender discrimination neutral variables using regression analyses expert richard drogin controlled factors including inter alia job performance length time company store employee worked results district found sufficient raise inference discrimination district identification common question whether pay promotions policies gave rise unlawful discrimination hardly infirm practice delegating supervisors large discretion make personnel decisions uncontrolled formal standards long known potential produce disparate effects managers like humankind may prey biases risk discrimination heightened managers predominantly one sex steeped corporate culture perpetuates gender stereotypes plaintiffs allegations resemble one prototypical cases area leisner new york tel supp sdny deciding promotions supervisors case start objective measures ultimately look individual total individual internal quotation marks omitted final question ask answer person going successful business ibid internal quotation marks omitted hardly surprising many managers ideal candidate someone characteristics similar held discretionary employment practices give rise title vii claims practices motivated discriminatory intent also produce discriminatory results see watson fort worth bank trust see ante roving discretionary system produced disparity watson employer given managers large authority promotions employee sued bank title vii alleging discretionary promotion system caused discriminatory effect based race internal quotation marks omitted four different supervisors declined separate occasions promote employee reasons subjective unknown employer noted developed precise formal criteria evaluating candidates relied instead subjective judgment supervisors ibid aware problem subconscious stereotypes prejudices held employer undisciplined system subjective decisionmaking employment practic may analyzed disparate impact approach see also wards cove packing atonio recognizing use decision employment practic subject attack plaintiffs allegations state claims gender discrimination form biased decisionmaking pay promotions evidence reviewed district adequately demonstrated resolving claims necessitate examination particular policies practices alleged affect adversely globally women employed stores rule setting necessary sufficient criterion certification demands nothing ii gives credence key dispute common class whether discretionary pay motion policies discriminatory see ante citing questions like giving managers discretion pay unlawful employment practice sufficient obtain class matters asserts raising common whether issimilarities within proposed class potential impede generation common answers ante quoting nagareda class certification age aggregate proof rev internal quotation marks omitted blends rule threshold criterion demanding criteria rule thereby elevates inquiry longer easily satisfied moore et moore federal practice ed rule certification requires addition four findings questions law fact common class members predominate questions affecting individual members class action superior available methods adjudicating controversy emphasis differences class members mimics rule inquiry whether common questions predominate individual issues asking whether individual differences impede common adjudication ante internal quotation marks omitted duplicates question whether class action superior modes adjudication indeed professor nagareda whose dissimilarities inquiry endorses developed position context rule see rule requires decisive degree similarity across proposed class speaks common individual ones rule predominance inquiry meant tes whether proposed classes sufficiently cohesive warrant adjudication representation amchem products windsor courts must conduct dissimilarities analysis rule stage mission remains rule rule also prerequisite rule rule classes dissimilarities position far reaching individual differences bar rule rule class long rule threshold met see amchem products rule predominance requirement yamasaki rule action noted unlikely differences factual background claim affect outcome legal issue example franks bowman transp rule class truckdrivers complained defendant discriminatorily refused hire black applicants recognized qualification performance individual class members might vary internal quotation marks omitted generalizations concerning individually applicable evidence cautioned serve justification denial injunctive relief entire class ibid dissimilarities approach leads train attention distinguishes individual class members rather unites given lack standards pay promotions majority says demonstrating invalidity one manager use discretion nothing demonstrate invalidity another ante delegation discretion pay promotions policy uniform throughout stores nature discretion people exercise various ways system delegated discretion watson held practice actionable title vii produces discriminatory outcomes see supra finding pay promotions practices fact violate law first step usual order proof plaintiffs seeking individual remedies discrimination teamsters see albemarle paper moody individual employee unique circumstances ultimately determine whether entitled backpay damages barring backpay plaintiff refused advancement reason discrimination factor rule determination errs importing dissimilarities notion suited rule rule commonality inquiry therefore join part ii opinion footnotes complaint included seven named plaintiffs three remain part certified class narrowed appeals rule allows class maintained prosecuting separate actions individual class members create risk either inconsistent varying adjudications adjudications practical matter dispositive interests members parties individual adjudications substantially impair impeded ability protect interests rule class may maintained questions law fact common class members predominate questions affecting individual members class action superior available methods fairly efficiently adjudicating controversy applicability provisions plaintiff class us district excluded backpay claims based promotion opportunities publicly posted reason applicant data exist positions nd cal also decided afford class members notice action right class respect respondents claim enable result appeals trimmed class two ways first remanded part certification order included respondents claim class district might consider whether might cause monetary relief predominate second accepted part argument since class members longer employed standing seek injunctive declaratory relief monetary claims must predominate excluded certified class putative class members longer employees time plaintiffs complaint filed emphasis added previously stated context commonality typicality requirements rule tend merge serve guideposts determining whether particular circumstances maintenance class action economical whether named plaintiff claim class claims interrelated interests class members fairly adequately protected absence requirements therefore also tend merge requirement although latter requirement also raises concerns competency class counsel conflicts interest general telephone southwest falcon light disposition commonality question however unnecessary resolve whether respondents satisfied typicality requirements rule statement one prior cases eisen carlisle jacquelin sometimes mistakenly cited contrary find nothing either language history rule gives authority conduct preliminary inquiry merits suit order determine whether may maintained class action case judge conducted preliminary inquiry merits suit order determine propriety certification rules already done see order shift cost notice required rule plaintiff defendants extent quoted statement goes beyond permissibility merits inquiry pretrial purpose purest dictum contradicted cases perhaps common example considering merits question rule stage arises suits securities fraud rule requirement questions law fact common class members predominate questions affecting individual members often insuperable barrier class certification since individual investors prove reliance alleged misrepresentation problem dissipates plaintiffs establish applicability fraud market presumption says traders purchase stock efficient market presumed relied accuracy company public statements invoke presumption plaintiffs seeking certification must prove shares traded efficient market erica john fund halliburton slip issue surely prove trial order make case merits case plaintiff tries establish preponderance evidence discrimination company standard operating procedure regular rather unusual practice teamsters see also franks bowman transp succeeds showing support rebuttable inference class members victims discriminatory practice justify award prospective relief injunctive order continuation discriminatory practice teamsters supra bielby conclusions case elicited criticism scholars whose conclusions relies analysis see monahan walker mitchell contextual evidence gender discrimination ascendance social frameworks rev bielby research conditions meet standards expected social scientific research stereotyping discrimination social framework necessarily contains general statements reliable patterns relations among variables goes bielby claimed present social framework testified social facts specific bielby report provides verifiable method measuring testing variables crucial conclusions reflects nothing bielby judgment general stereotyping research applied managers across stores nationwide class period dissent says adopted rule discrimination claim accompanied anecdotes must supply numbers proportionate size class post ginsburg concurring part dissenting part quite accurate discrimination claimant free supply anecdotes wishes claim company operates general policy discrimination anecdotes selected literally millions employment decisions prove nothing reason force dissent attempt distinguish falcon ground case common questions law fact claims lead plaintiff applicant class post quoting falcon burger concurring part dissenting part also nothing unite plaintiffs claims since contrary dissent contention post employment practices touch concern members class rule applies separate actions individual class members create risk establish ing incompatible standards conduct party opposing class rule party obliged law treat members class alike amchem products windsor individual adjudications practical matter dispositive interests members parties individual adjudications substantially impair impede ability protect interests rule fund cases numerous persons make claims fund insufficient satisfy claims amchem supra footnotes plaintiffs requested rule certification alternative request certification fail plaintiffs motion class certification nd cal doc rule lists three threshold requirements certification class numerous joinder members impracticable claims defenses representative parties typical claims defenses class representative parties fairly adequately protect interests class numerosity requirement clearly met contend otherwise reach typicality adequacy requirements ante discuss either simply record agreement district resolution issues suggests rule must mean says see ante word questions taken literally majority asserts plaintiffs pass rule bar eciting questions like us plaintiffs indeed work ante sensibly read however word questions means disputed issues utterance crafted grammatical form question majority purports derive teamsters rule discrimination claim accompanied anecdotes must supply numbers proportionate size class ante teamsters acknowledges see ante instructs statistical evidence alone may suffice decision hardly said establish numerical floor anecdotal evidence taken account asserts drogin showed average differences regional national level male female employees ante internal quotation marks omitted fact regression analyses showed disparities within stores majority contention contrary reflects arcane disagreement statistical method district resolved plaintiffs favor nd cal appellate review occasion disturb trial handling factual disputes order example vividly illustrates subjective decisionmaking vehicle discrimination performing symphony orchestras long male preserve goldin rouse orchestrating impartiality impact blind auditions female musicians econ rev orchestras began hiring musicians auditions open comers reviewers judge applicants solely musical abilities yet subconscious bias led reviewers disfavor women orchestras permitted reviewers see applicants hired far fewer female musicians orchestras conducted blind auditions candidates played behind opaque screens places considerable weight general telephone southwest falcon ante case little relevance question today lead plaintiff falcon alleged discrimination evidenced company failure promote employees failure hire applicants common questions law fact claims lead plaintiff applicant class burger concurring part dissenting part emphasis added alleged discriminated intentionally applicant class claims contrast advanced impact theory appropriate facially neutral practices commonality wa respondent seeks represent class ibid practices touch concern members class class action may maintained rule satisfied prosecuting separate actions individual class members create risk inconsistent varying adjudications adjudications respect individual class members practical matter dispositive interests members party opposing class acted refused act grounds apply generally class final injunctive relief appropriate respecting class whole finds questions law fact common class members predominate questions affecting individual members class action superior available methods fairly efficiently adjudicating controversy fed rule civ proc paragraph breaks added cf supra rule commonality prerequisite satisfied ven single question common members class quoting nagareda preexistence principle structure class action colum rev