At Romanucci & Blandin, we have the distinct privilege of representing clients in some of the most significant and most devastating cases from around the world: the Boeing 737 MAX 8 crash in Ethiopia, mass shootings in Las Vegas and Orlando, and claims nationwide for cancer caused by products like Roundup and Zantac. These cases bring together individuals who have all been injured, sickened, or otherwise harmed or killed by a common cause. Our firm is proud to not only seek justice for those people but lead groups of law firms in that pursuit in such other high-profile cases as:

• COVID-19 Business Interruption cases advocate for hundreds of restaurants and businesses whose insurance companies denied pandemic-related claims for financial losses. Restaurants, retail and service businesses, and others were ordered closed by governors and other officials when COVID-19 began in March of 2020. Romanucci & Blandin, LLC and co-counsel specializing in insurance policyholder’s litigation allege that the claims should be covered and paid under the insurance contracts. Resolution of these claims is essential to the economic survival of these businesses and their entire supply chain. The lawsuits seek declaratory judgments from the court, meaning a decision that finds the insurance company owes the restaurant owners coverage and improperly issued a denial. 

These cases show the widespread impact of certain events, products, and corporate decision-making on individuals around the world. They can be as infuriating as they are inspiring, as we have the opportunity to bring justice to so many. 

However, such cases can seem overwhelming for clients and lawyers alike. The same can be said for the Courts and the judges overseeing them. With every client that brings a new case comes a law firm—maybe two. When the cases are consolidated* and proceed with their first hearing before the judge, hundreds of lawyers and law firms may be involved, representing thousands of plaintiffs. So how does the judge ensure organization and coordination, that each individual’s claims are tended to, that their voices are heard, and that the cases do not drag on indefinitely?

Typically, the answer is through the judge appointing a leadership structure to manage all of the various claims and the law firms involved. At that first hearing or shortly after, the judge will evaluate applications for multiple positions and then hear any objections that other lawyers may have if they feel a particular lawyer is not qualified to take on the responsibility. Those positions are generally:

Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel/Co-Lead Counsel: These are the lawyers the Court selects as the voice for all plaintiffs throughout the litigation. They coordinate with the various law firms, appoint lawyers and law firms to specific tasks, and oversee all aspects of the case to ensure all clients are adequately represented to obtain a successful result.

Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee (PEC): The Court will appoint lawyers to the PEC to help the Lead Counsel oversee the litigation, consult with one another, appoint lawyers to critical assignments, and implement a strategy to help resolve the cases efficiently and successfully.

Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel: This is a lawyer the Court will appoint to facilitate communications between the various plaintiffs’ law firms, the defense law firms, and the Court itself. Their role also typically includes ensuring that all law firms are aware of their obligations in the litigation and meeting deadlines.

Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee (PSC): The Court will typically allow the Lead Counsel(s) and the PEC to appoint lawyers to help “steer” certain aspects of the case. Some lawyers may be in charge of defending plaintiffs’ depositions, while others may review the defendants’ corporate records or send out subpoenas to vital witnesses for more information.

Litigation can move slowly, even when just one plaintiff versus one defendant. One could imagine the amount of time that might be expended by having hundreds or thousands of lawyers standing in line, one-by-one, addressing any problems they see with their specific cases. Instead, individual case issues and more significant disputes are funneled through the leadership structure's lawyers and brought to the Court immediately, if necessary. Collectively, leadership structures allow for expansive and complex litigation to move forward efficiently, without roadblocks, and toward final resolution for our clients.

The lawyers handling complex litigation at Romanucci & Blandin have been appointed to numerous positions in various cases over the past few years alone, including:

• Lead Counsel in the Beach Park Chemical Spill Litigation;
• Lead Counsel in the Pulse Nightclub Shooting in Orlando, Florida;
• Lead Counsel in the Stop and Frisk Class Litigation against the Chicago Police Department;
• Co-Lead Counsel on the Chicago Red Light Ticket Class Litigation;
• Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee Members in the Boeing MAX-8 Litigation;
• Steering Committee Members in the Las Vegas Shooting Litigation;

Regardless of the complexity or size of your case, it pays to retain lawyers who have experience being appointed by the Court to leadership positions like those listed above. Think of it like a stamp of approval: appointment demonstrates not only knowing to pursue your claim but the organizational capacity and resources to do so effectively, and—most importantly—the respect of fellow lawyers and the Court in entrusting your lawyers with greater responsibility.