Opposing counsel in a class action against Visa and MasterCard are united in their efforts to preserve a $5.7 billion settlement, each claiming the pact was not tainted by inappropriate communications between two lawyers who they say played limited roles on opposite sides of the litigation.

The attorneys are responding to attempts by a group of retailers to upset the settlement on the basis of emails uncovered by Willkie Farr & Gallagher that revealed ex-Willkie partner Keila Ravelo, who represented MasterCard, secretly communicated with plaintiffs lawyer Gary Friedman.

The retailers objecting to the settlement this week filed a declaration by Ravelo claiming she played a prominent role in the litigation and regularly advised MasterCard on strategy, including settlement negotiations.