initial, class- wide liability determination); accord Allison v. Citgo Petroleum Corp., 151 F.3d 402, 421-22 (5th Cir. 1998), cited with approval in Gunnells v. Healthplan Servs., Inc., 348 F.3d 417, For internal use only SDNY_GM_00056842 CONFIDENTIAL - PURSUANT TO FED. R.CCANI(EIDENTIAL DB-SDNY-00 196

Ins. Co., 445 F.3d 311, 317 (4th Cir. 2006). A district court abuses its discretion when it materially misapplies the requirements of Rule 23. See Gunnells v. Healthplan Servs., Inc., 348 F.3d 417, 424 (4th Cir. 2003); Thorn, 445 F.3d at 317-18 ("A district court per se abuses its discretion when it mak