Managing Multidistrict Litigation in Products Liability Cases A Pocket Guide for Transferee Judges 2011 (United States Federal Judicial Center Federal Judges Guidebooks Book 11)

The document "Managing Multidistrict Litigation in Products Liability Cases: A Pocket Guide for Transferee Judges" provides guidance for judges handling multidistrict litigation (MDL) in products liability cases. The summary covers the first 23 pages of the 52-page document.Key topics include:Relationship of Transferee Court and the Panel: Discusses the transfer process, jurisdiction changes, and communication with the Panel, including managing 'tag-along' cases.Powers of the Transferee Court: Addresses the responsibilities of the transferee judge in pretrial proceedings, including consolidation or coordination, handling tag-along cases, pretrial disposition, settlement, and trial considerations (including Lexecon issues).Establishing Special Procedures for MDL Transferee Cases: This section covers coordination with the clerk's office, attorneys, and magistrate judges, as well as the use of websites and regular conferences for communication and progress monitoring.Designation of Lead/Liaison Counsel and Committees: Discusses the selection and role of lead and liaison counsel, including considerations for appointing them and their functions in the litigation process.Initial Pretrial Orders: Focuses on developing a case-management plan, including scheduling, establishing ground rules, identifying critical issues, handling remand motions, and integrating tag-along actions.This guide aims to assist transferee judges in navigating the complexities of MDLs in products liability cases, emphasizing the importance of efficient management, cooperation among counsel, and clear communication. It provides practical advice on organizing these multifaceted cases, from initial transfer to pretrial and potential settlement stages. Read more