The plaintiffs bar can bid farewell to 2016 boasting some impressive achievements, including blockbuster settlements in auto emissions litigation and other cases. But there were also a few notable setbacks—sometimes delivered by opposing counsel, and sometimes involving lawyers on the plaintiffs’ own side.
Bellwether Blues
January 2016 saw the first of six bellwether trials in private multidistrict litigation over defective ignition switches in General Motors Co. vehicles. But just days into the trial, the case quickly collapsed after the company’s defense lawyers at Kirkland & Ellis uncovered evidence that the plaintiff, Robert Scheuer, lacked credibility.
