Scarcnet News Summaries (Advocacy Institute)
Justice Department May Use Outside Lawyers
Length: pages
Abstract
The Justice Department is considering hiring outside lawyers to lead a task force that will file the department's lawsuit against the tobacco industry to recover the costs of treating sick smokers. According to Mississippi Attorney General Michael Moore, a group of plaintiffs lawyers, led by Richard Scruggs, has offered their services to the Justice Department for free. Scruggs has represented several states, including Mississippi, in their lawsuits against the industry. US Attorney General Janet Reno, when asked whether the department would consider using Scruggs and other plaintiffs' lawyers, said yesterday, "We would not foreclose that possibility."
Source: Milo Geyelin, "Justice Department Considers Hiring Outside Trial Lawyer For Tobacco Suit," WALL STREET JOURNAL, January 22, 1999, p. B5.