Litigation

Alston & Bird Bolsters Chicago Team with Two New Partners Specializing in Mass Tort and Toxic Tort Litigation

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Chicago, IL – Alston & Bird, a prominent law firm known for its robust legal practices, has expanded its capabilities in the field of mass tort and toxic tort litigation with the hiring of two new partners in its Chicago office. Kara McCall and Beth Chiarello, both seasoned attorneys in their respective areas of expertise, have officially joined the firm, marking a significant enhancement of the legal team. McCall brings to the firm an impressive track record of guiding businesses through complex toxic tort and products liability litigation. Her strategic counsel has been pivotal in … Read more

Mass Torts and Investment Capital: How Financial Backing is Reshaping U.S. Litigation Landscapes

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Washington, D.C. – Mass tort litigation, a legal system designed to handle numerous related civil lawsuits simultaneously, has recently come under scrutiny for its effectiveness and economic impact. Critics argue that instead of offering fair compensation to victims, these legal battles mainly benefit trial lawyers and their financial backers, burdening the economy by draining resources from productive businesses. Multidistrict litigation (MDL), a key procedural approach within mass torts, was originally created to improve the efficiency of managing large clusters of federal lawsuits. However, these MDLs, which once represented 38 percent of the federal civil caseload … Read more

Billions at Stake: How Mass Tort Litigation and External Funding Drain the U.S. Economy and Clog the Courts

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Washington, D.C. – The landscape of mass tort litigation in the United States, a critical but complex facet of the judicial system, is facing criticism for its failure to fairly compensate victims while draining economic resources. The mass tort mechanism, often involving multi-district litigation (MDL), was created to streamline large civil lawsuits through consolidation. However, instead of fostering efficiency, it has morphed into a lucrative opportunity for lawyers and their financial backers, overshadowing its initial purpose. In recent years, these litigations have disproportionately clogged the judiciary, making up 65% of federal civil cases in 2023, … Read more

Exploring the Staggering Financial Impact of Mass Tort Litigation on the Economy

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The economic impact of mass tort litigation, where a large number of plaintiffs litigate against one or a few corporations, is staggering and has far-reaching implications across various sectors of the economy. As these cases rise in number, businesses face not only damaging financial implications but also significant shifts in operational practices. When companies are hit with lawsuits alleging issues like product liabilities or environmental harm, they often encounter substantial expenses beyond mere legal fees. Settlements can reach billions of dollars, potentially destabilizing even the most financially robust companies. For example, the tobacco litigation of … Read more