Four firms lead defence of oil-spill litigation

The defence against the avalanche of civil litigation relating to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico will be led by four firms. BP has called upon Akerman, Senterfitt & Eidson – Florida’s largest law firm. The Akerman team will led by Jim Miller, the chair of the firm's litigation practice. Cameron International, the company that manufactured the failed blowout preventer, has called upon Florida’s second biggest firm, Greenberg Traurig, who are putting together a team led by Barry Richard. Halliburton Energy Services, which pumped cement at the well, will be advised by Broad and Cassel with a team led by Steven Burton – the managing partner of the firm’s Tampa office. And Transocean Deepwater – the owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, and the fourth primary defendant – has called on Jaime Betbeze of Hand Arendal. A multi-district litigation panel will hear arguments in July to decide where the federal lawsuits should be consolidated. The oil industry is keen to have the matters heard in Texas, while plaintiff firms are pushing for Louisiana or Florida.

Four firms lead defence of oil-spill litigation law.com Wed, Jun 16, 2010