Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO DISCUSS status of the litigation filed by the County as a result of the opioid epidemic.
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Why Action is Necessary
Permits an update on the status of this important and complex litigation.
What Action Accomplishes
Provides the above-referenced update and allows for Board discussion.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
On December 12, 2017, the Board authorized the filing of litigation against manufacturers, distributors, and other potential parties in connection with the opioid epidemic.
On January 23, 2018, the Board approved the selection of an outside counsel litigation team comprised of Lieff Cabraser Heimann & Bernstein, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP, Kopelowitz Ostrow Ferguson Weiselberg Gilbert, Morgan & Morgan, and Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm to work with the Office of the County Attorney in representing the County in this litigation.
On March 12, 2018, Broward County filed a multicount suit against multiple manufacturers, distributors, and marketers of opioid drugs. Broward County's case was transferred to the Northern District of Ohio as part of the court-ordered multidistrict litigation ("MDL").
The County Attorney has asked the outside counsel team to provide an update of no more than fifteen (15) minutes regarding this important litigation. Any privileged matters that cannot be addressed in open session will be subsequently addressed in individual briefings or in a closed attorney-client session (shade meeting).
The update will address the status of the primary litigation, the role Broward County has been playing in the litigation, some related bankruptcy filings, and a timeline of key future events in this litigation.
Source of Additional Information
Danielle W. French, Deputy County Attorney, (954) 357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary