Mason Floyd

In a growing trend that raises serious procedural and strategic concerns, we have seen a number of cases filed by plaintiffs using fictitious names (e.g., John Doe, Jane Doe, etc.), hiding the name of the actual plaintiff. While this tactic may appear benign—or even routine—it is legally improper in most civil litigation, and especially troubling in the context of putative class actions. Judicial proceedings are to be conducted in public.

September 8, 2025 Peter Berk, Mason Floyd, Madison Shepley Clark Hill PLC + Follow x Following x Following - Unfollow Contact To embed, copy and paste the code into your website or blog: In a growing trend that raises serious procedural and strategic concerns, we have seen a number of cases filed by plaintiffs using fictitious names (e.g., John Doe, Jane Doe, etc.), hiding the name of the actual plaintiff.

On Jan. 24, the Illinois Supreme Court, in Petta v. Christie Business Holdings Company, PC, affirmed the dismissal of a putative class action following an alleged data breach because the named plaintiff failed to allege any actual injury resulting from the alleged breach. Plaintiff’s Allegations The plaintiff was a patient of Christie Clinic.