Judicial Adjuncts in Multidistrict Litigation: from Special Masters to Claims Administrators
Elizabeth Chamblee Burch, Mass Tort Litigation Blog
Back in 2019, the American Bar Association (ABA) called for courts to appoint special masters regularly in MDLs. Its report claimed that multidistrict proceedings in particular could “benefit from specialized expertise,” and that “[e]ffective special masters reduce costs by dealing with issues before they evolve into disputes and by swiftly and efficiently disposing of disputes that do arise.” The ABA’s resolution thus urged judges to appoint special masters in complex cases...

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COVID v. The Status Quo
Jessica Corso, San Antonio Business Journal
Covid-19 has forced a traditionally conservative profession to adopt new technology — the results are getting mixed verdicts. In her mid-30s and a little over a decade out of law school, Bexar County District Judge Monique Diaz is no old hat. Yet, when asked about the adoption of videoconferencing technology that has swept through court systems nationwide, Diaz said she was struck by how quickly her colleagues and local lawyers adapted to Zoom — the district court’s platform of choice. “This...

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The Impact of the Pandemic Shutdown on New Case Filings in State Courts
Gloria Huang, LexMachina
The COVID-19 pandemic halted non-essential social and economic activities including the day-to-day operation of courthouses. During the shutdown, courts adopted special guidelines for providing essential legal services (e.g., bond hearings, temporary restraining orders). Some courts encouraged the use of electronic filings while others emphasized physical dropboxes. Lex Machina surveyed its current state civil trial court modules to examine how the pandemic shutdown impacted new case filings in state...

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