Attorney Brian Kabateck Named to California Vioxx Litigation Plaintiffs' Steering Committee

Los Angeles attorney Brian Kabateck has been appointed to the California Vioxx Litigation Plaintiffs' Steering Committee by California Superior Court Judge Victoria Chaney. The goal of the 13-member committee is to coordinate the thousands of California Vioxx cases, promote litigation efficiency and to minimize the risk of inconsistent rulings in similar cases in California and the nation. Committee members were selected based on their litigation experience and the number of Vioxx plaintiffs they represent.
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.--Los Angeles attorney Brian Kabateck has been appointed to the California Vioxx Litigation Plaintiffs' Steering Committee by California Superior Court Judge Victoria Chaney. The goal of the 13-member committee is to coordinate the thousands of California Vioxx cases, promote litigation efficiency and to minimize the risk of inconsistent rulings in similar cases in California and the nation. Committee members were selected based on their litigation experience and the number of Vioxx plaintiffs they represent.Committee members are currently interviewing witnesses, selecting experts and developing litigation strategies. They are also meeting with attorneys for Vioxx manufacturer Merck and with other state and federal Vioxx steering committees.All California Vioxx cases have been transferred to Superior Court Judge Chaney in Los Angeles who has implemented special procedures, including the use of the steering committee, to manage the Vioxx caseload. Currently, Kabateck's law firm, Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP, represents more than 800 individuals who have filed Vioxx lawsuits, the largest number of cases filed in California by a law firm."Trial dates for California Vioxx cases filed several years ago are being decided within the next few months," says Kabateck. "Before the trials begin, the steering committee must review seven million Merck documents and depose hundreds of key Merck employees."In addition to Kabateck, California Vioxx Plaintiffs' Steering Committee members are Tom Girardi and James O'Callahan, (plaintiffs' liaison counsel), Greg Owen, Mark Robinson, Thomas Brandi, Walter Lack, Joy Robertson, Brian Depew, Steve Skikos, Brian Panish, Tina Nieves and Rob Cartwright.