EDUCATION
Stanford Law School, J.D., 2001
Arizona State University, B.A., History and Political Science, Summa Cum Laude, 1998
Leonard W. Aragon is a partner at Hagens Berman's Phoenix office, where he focuses on nationwide class actions and other complex litigation. Mr. Aragon's recent victories include a multi-million dollar jury verdict believed to be the largest in Columbiana County (Ohio) history, a nationwide class-action settlement against Wells Fargo, and a multi-million dollar settlement against a provider of theft protection services.
Mr. Aragon is currently counsel for plaintiffs in the highly publicized cases Keller v. Electronic Arts and In Re: NCAA Student-Athlete Name and Likeness Licensing Litigation pending in the Ninth Circuit and U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. The cases allege that video game manufacturer Electronic Arts, the National Collegiate Athletic Association, and the Collegiate Licensing Company used the names, images and likenesses of student athletes in violation of state right of publicity laws and the NCAA's contractual agreements with the student athletes.
Mr. Aragon also represents the original developer of the Madden Football franchise?the best-selling sports video game in history?in an intellectual property dispute against Electronic Arts. The case alleges that the company improperly used the developer's intellectual property to create subsequent versions of the game. The case is scheduled for trial in April 2013.
In addition to his private practice, Mr. Aragon is an adjunct professor at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University. He is also committed to community service. Notably, Mr. Aragon was lead counsel in a pro bono class action seeking to reopen New Orleans' only public hospital following the Hurricane Katrina disaster. The Louisiana Supreme Court ultimately rejected the plaintiffs' plea to reopen the hospital, but the case is widely recognized as instrumental in helping to return health care to New Orleans.
Before attending college, Mr. Aragon was a scout for the 2/68 Armored Tank Battalion. After fulfilling his commitment, he graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University in 1998 with degrees in History and Political Science, and received his J.D. from Stanford Law School in 2001.
Legal Activities
Adjunct Professor, Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University
State Bar of Arizona Bar Leadership Institute Class I
Super Lawyers, Rising Star: Class Action/Mass Tort
Pro bono work in insurance, immigration, family and contract law
Personal Highlights
Cavalry Scout, 2/68 Armored Tank Battalion, U.S. Army
Valley Leadership Class XXV
Board of Directors (Chairman 2008-2009): EMPACT-SPC, one of Arizona's largest behavioral health organizations
Notable Cases
In Re: NCAA Student-Athlete Name and Likeness Licensing Litigation
United States District Court, ND Cal., Case No. 3:09-CV-01967-CW
Keller v. Electronic Arts Inc.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, Case No. 10-15387
Antonick v. Electronic Arts Inc.
United States District Court, ND Cal., Case No. 3:11-CV-01543-CRB
In Re: Swift Transportation Co., Inc.
Maricopa County Superior Court, Case No. CV2004-001777
Hunter v. Hyundai Motor America
United States District Court, CD Cal., Case No. 8:12-CV-01909-JVS
PRACTICE AREAS
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Mass Tort
Appellate Advocacy
Personal Injury
BAR ADMISSIONS
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
INDUSTRY EXPERTISE
Consumer Fraud
Software
Sports Law
Health Care
Pharmaceuticals
Election Law
Gambling
Administrative Procedures Act
