It depends. If there is already an existing class action lawsuit, you likely already are considered to have an attorney that represents the "class" and works to make the best decision for the class as a whole. However, if you would like to make sure that your interests alone are protected and represented individually, you could hire your own attorney. However, depending on the type of suit, it might not be necessary. It would depend on your damages, the type of suit, etc. If there is already an existing class action suit you would like to join, I recommend going to the website related to that class action and reviewing the FAQ's page. It should have some information regarding attorneys and whether you should seek legal representation.
If you would like to file a brand new class action lawsuit, I recommend you hire an attorney to assist you. Class action lawsuits are very complicated and sometimes result in thousands of plaintiffs going against major national corporations. Best of luck!
NOTE: This response is general in nature and should not be considered legal advice. No attorney-client relationship exists or is formed by this response.
Answered on Nov 18th, 2013 at 4:05 PM