You read it here first, folks--that is, if you were able to put up with my semi-gonzo presentation of the facts. Today we have accounts of yesterday's seminar at Washington University School of Law, in which a former U.S. Attorney General called for a federal investigation of Madison County, Illinois, from other more traditional news sources. I'll collect them here, along with their leads--
"Lawyer in big-money suits is scornful of ex-attorney general," by Trisha Howard of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "The circuit court of Madison County should be investigated by the Department of Justice over concerns that defendants aren't treated fairly in civil cases, a former U.S. attorney general said at a conference here Wednesday."
"Forum participants: Investigate Madison County court system," by Brian Brueggemann of the Belleville News-Democrat. "Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell said Wednesday the litigation system in Madison County should be investigated by federal authorities."
"Lawyers spar over asbestos filings," by Sanford Schmidt of the Alton Telegraph. "A former U.S. attorney general called Wednesday for a federal investigation of asbestos lawsuit filings in Madison County, but a top litigator called the idea yet another attempt by corporate America to stifle trials by jury."
"Former attorney general calls for asbestos case regulation," Associated Press (link via AccessNorthGeorgia.com). "Former U.S. Attorney General Griffin Bell said Wednesday asbestos-related lawsuits have gotten out of control in Madison County, Ill., and he called on new regulations to limit them."
Overlawyered's post about the conference is here.
One thing I can add to these accounts: When challenged by others at the event, Mr. Bell did not deny that he'd never set foot in Madison County, didn't write his speech, and wasn't there out of the kindness of his heart, but as an extension of his job as a partner at King & Spalding, which represents some of the nation's largest corporations. I should also add that one of the defense lawyers on the panel, Victor Schwartz of Shook, Hardy & Bacon in Kansas City, stood up after Mr. Bell and said unequivocally that the judges in Madison County are "honest and hard-working" and are "not corrupt."
Mr. Schwartz, though also present at the seminar to give the big business point of view, has litigated in Madison County, so I consider his comments much more valid than those of Griffin Bell.
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