Which of the following is a characteristic of a "class action lawsuit"?

A class action lawsuit is characterized by involving multiple plaintiffs who have similar claims against a common defendant. This type of lawsuit allows individuals with shared grievances—often related to issues like consumer rights, employment disputes, or environmental harm—to aggregate their claims into a single legal action. By consolidating cases, it helps to improve judicial efficiency and provides a mechanism for individuals to pursue justice when their individual claims may not be substantial enough to warrant separate litigation.

The other options do not accurately represent key features of class action lawsuits. Government initiation is not a defining characteristic, as these lawsuits are usually brought by private parties. Additionally, class actions are typically managed by one or a small group of attorneys who represent the collective interests of the plaintiffs, rather than by a single individual attorney. Lastly, class actions do not require unanimous consent from all parties; instead, they operate under the principle that if the majority agree and the court certifies the class, the action can proceed even if some individuals may not wish to participate. This structure allows for a more efficient resolution of widespread issues affecting many individuals.