Meet the Next Generation of MDL Judges
Here's a look at eight judges who are handling their first multidistrict litigation assignments and why they're likely to be tapped again.
April 21, 2017 at 12:24 AM
2 minute read
Multidistrict litigation is a significant part of the federal court system—both in its financial stakes and in the burden it places on judges who are called on to handle vast, tentacled cases that often drag on for years.
It's a job that requires skillful case management, and the panel that doles out the massive cases has tended to return to repeat players on the bench. That model, while logical, has a problem: Eventually, the judges with the greatest experience handling MDLs will retire, leaving a competence gap.
With that in mind, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has looked to broaden its pool of judges. Last year, according to a review by The National Law Journal, it consolidated cases before 15 MDL rookies, a diverse group that includes many women and minorities.
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