By Niki Mendoza (November 13, 2018, 12:45 PM EST) -- If you are a class action litigator and haven't been paying attention to the "guidance" on class action settlements issued by the Northern District of California, you should now. Several judges recently have denied preliminary or final approval of class action settlements, citing the failure of the parties to address the issues referenced in the guidance. And now the district has taken the time and resources to update the guidance — so judges will be paying attention. The guidance, updated as of Nov. 1, 2018, is available on the district website.[1] The guidance preamble explains that parties who fail to follow the guidance may face unnecessary delay or denial of class action settlement approval. The parties, therefore, should consider the guidance as early as during settlement negotiations....