RPLG Founding Partner Louise Renne has been appointed to serve as Co-Negotiation Class Counsel on multidistrict litigation for In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation. This lawsuit seeks to recover money for tens of thousands of local governments from opiate manufacturers, distributors and others to combat the opioid crisis.

In December 2017, a federal panel ordered the consolidation of dozens of lawsuits filed by cities and counties against opioid manufacturers, distributors and others into a single multidistrict litigation to increase efficiency and consistency in rulings. The plaintiffs have created a Negotiation Class comprised of every local government in the United States (excluding those that choose to opt out), which will be represented by 49 cities and counties with claims typical of the class. This organization is a new use of the class action mechanism.

In Re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation, with the power of thousands of local governments behind it, could help alleviate some of the harm the opioid crisis has inflicted on communities across our country,” said Renne. “I’m honored to serve as counsel in a case that exemplifies our core mission at Renne Public Law Group: practicing public law in the public interest.”

Judge Dan Polster has approved Renne, alongside five other experienced attorneys, to represent the Negotiation Class in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.

RPLG practices throughout California, advising and advocating for public agencies, nonprofit entities, individuals and private entities in need of effective, responsive and creative legal solutions.