On July 6, 2021, Chief Judge Nancy J. Rosenstengel of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois appointed Amy Eskin of Schneider Wallace Cottrell Konecky LLP as State Court Liaison Counsel for California and a member of the 15 member Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee supervising  the In re Paraquat Products Liability Litigation. MDL No. 3004.  These lawsuits allege that long-term exposure to the herbicide/weed killer Paraquat causes Parkinson’s disease in agricultural workers as well as people who live near fields where the chemical is applied.  Paraquat cases have also been filed in numerous California counties and been consolidated in Contra Costa County by the state’s Judicial Counsel, having been assigned California Judicial Coordination case number JCCP 5031 pending before the Honorable Judge Edward G. Weil. 

Judge Rosenstengel conducted an extensive review of written submissions in order to select leadership.  Amy was one of 80 applicants for this leadership role because of her significant experience in managing large, complex litigation.  Judge Rosenstengel noted “particular interest in appointing a small, diverse, inclusive, and experienced leadership group that is fully committed to coordinating efforts and sharing information and research to advance these claims in an efficient and cost-effective manner.”

Among other responsibilities, as a member of the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee, Amy’s responsibilities will include conducting and coordinating the discovery stage of the litigation with defense representatives, and will have extensive involvement in all pretrial proceedings.  As California State Court liaison Amy will act as the primary contact between the coordinated Paraquat litigation in Contra Costa County and the MDL court.

The case is In re Paraquat Products Liability Litigation, No. 21-md-03004-NJR, MDL No. 3004 (S.D. Ill.)