The Wall Street Journal Wednesday continued its coverage of the battle behind the Toyota accleration lawsuits, namely, which attorneys will take the lead and profit most from the cases.
In a Page One story headlined “Lawyers Wrestle Over Driver’s Seat in Litigation Against Toyota,” The Journal reports that attorneys who represent plaintiffs against Toyota must filed applications with a judge in order to get the cherished spot heading up the ligitation for those who are suing. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704342604575222453681321376.html?mod=WSJ_WSJ_US_News_6
More than 75 federal lawsuits againt Toyota have been filed by more than 100 lawyers, according to The Journal.
The cases have been consolidated and will be heard before Judge James Selna in Santa Ana, Calif. He is the one getting the applications for lead counsel for the plaintiffs.
The first hearing on the consolidated cases is coming up, on May 13, and dozens of lawyers are eager to see who Selna will choose to take charge of the plaintiffs’ cases.
Toyota’s liability in the suits, which stem from sometimes deadly acceleration problems in cars like the Camry, could add up to billions of dollars. And The Journal estimates that only a few of the plaintiffs’ attorneys will get most of $500 million in fees for their legal work.
One attorney filed an application that is 114 pages, while another submitted an application with 13 exhibits, The Journal reported.
It’s a good inside story about the business of law.
