(HONOLULU, HI) The more than 500 civil cases filed across the country on behalf of consumers against VW and others regarding the diesel emissions scandal, have been transferred to Judge Breyer in the Northern District of California for consolidated pretrial evidence gathering and other pretrial proceedings. The transfer includes the federal class action lawsuit filed in Hawaii by Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher attorneys on behalf of affected Hawaii consumers.
Starn O’Toole attorneys Sharon Lovejoy and Judith Pavey attended the hearing on December 3 in New Orleans where judges on the federal panel for multi-district litigation heard arguments from dozens of plaintiffs’ lawyers who argued for some 28 different locations across the country for this case. The court said it made its decision because almost one fifth of the cases were filed in California, and it is near relevant evidence and witnesses. Further Judge Breyer is considered a very experienced judge and a good selection for these cases.
“We are pleased with the decision to have these cases managed in the Northern District of California” said Sharon Lovejoy. Volkswagen’s attorneys argued for transfer of the cases to the Eastern District of Michigan.
Judge Breyer of the Northern District of California has scheduled a further hearing in San Francisco for December 22. The court has indicated it will maintain a website that will be accessible free of charge at cand.uscourts.gov/crb/vwmdl which will include a list of dates and times of upcoming proceedings, significant court orders, and other documents.
Trademark Notice
Jetta, Beetle, Audi A3, Golf, and Passat are registered trademarks of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and/or Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft. The use of these trademarks is solely for company and product identification and informational purposes. Volkswagen Group is not in any way affiliated with Starn O’Toole Marcus & Fisher. Nothing in this press release has been autho- rized or approved by Volkswagen Group.