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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Ill. judge hears arguments on asbestos standing order

Crowder

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. (Legal Newsline) - Madison County Circuit Judge Barbara Crowder, heir to the biggest asbestos docket of any state court in the nation, must decide the future dimensions of her docket.

She heard a triple argument on Friday among plaintiffs who would retain a calendar providing about 500 trial dates a year, defendants proposing 250 dates, and other defendants opposing both.

For the group favoring half as many dates, Robert Shultz of Heyl Royster attacked reservation of multiple dates for specific firms.

"This is all about the slots," he said.

"You've got to be in the club in order to get a reservation," he said.

"The more I live this life, the more I see what goes on, the more reasonable this is."

Other defendants sent Jeff Hebrank of HeplerBroom to warn that Shultz's calendar would increase defense costs and unpredictability.

Hebrank endorsed changes Crowder made since replacing asbestos judge Daniel Stack, who retired.

To view the entire article, visit the Madison Record.

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