RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 The roles of behavioral health professionals in class action litigation JF Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law Online JO J Am Acad Psychiatry Law FD American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law SP 49 OP 58 VO 30 IS 1 A1 MA Hoge A1 JK Tebes A1 L Davidson A1 EE Griffith YR 2002 UL http://jaapl.org/content/30/1/49.abstract AB Class action suits frequently have been used as a strategy for improving the quality of mental health care. Psychiatrists, psychologists, and professionals from related disciplines have been involved in these suits in different roles. This article presents and discusses case examples of these roles, which include the expert witness, court-appointed expert, consulting expert, monitor, special master, receiver, advocate, amicus curiae, plaintiff, and defendant. The authors caution against assuming dual roles and argue that professionals, before beginning to participate in this complex arena, should clarify their functional responsibilities, the legal basis of their involvement, and the ethics principles that will guide their actions.