Under state and federal law, persons with claims that are typical of a large number of potential claimants can bring a class action. The persons who are named as plaintiffs in the Complaint are called the "Class Representatives".

The case can be certified as a class if the claims are numerous, there are common issues among all the claimants, the class representatives are typical and they and their counsel are adequate representatives of the class. If a class is certified, then it means that all potential claimants will be part of the action and bound by its result. Claimants who do not wish to participate can request exclusion, or to "opt out" of the class.

Class actions are brought in a wide variety of situations. Examples include claims against manufacturers of defective products, consumer claims for improper charges or practices, wage and hour claims, discrimination and other employment related claims.

The advantage of the class action is that it enables claims to be brought where it would be inefficient or impracticable to bring individual claims. This is especially true where the claim is for a relatively small sum of money but the defendant is accused of violations involving thousands of individuals.
Williamson and Williams has brought class actions against bakeries that do not pay overtime to their drivers, the Department of Health and Social Services for refusing to reduce their claim for medical expenses for accident victims, and banks for charging improper fees at the time loans are paid off.