Vytorin Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Cases to have Separate MDL designation/collection point by May 8, 2008

The various categories of suits are starting to sort themselves out (a la first day, for first-years, at Hogwarts Academy). . . . Yesterday, Judge Cavanaugh apparently held a conference on selection of an Interim Lead Counsel for the above-class of cases, and accepted a form of order (but has not, yet, entered it). The Order (purportedly agreed to by the Defendants -- Schering and Merck) sets May 8 6, 2008 as the date by which -- in all probability -- this particular class of the now 115-some cases will be coordinated under one MDL number, and represented by one lead counsel (likely with an underlying governing structure of lawyers, and law firms, beneath that lead firm).

For those of you keeping score at home, you may watch Polk v. Schering-Plough Corp., et al. (Case No. 2:08-cv-00285-DMC-MF US Dist. Ct., NJ 2008), and Case No. 2:08-cv-01506 (same court-room), for the updates, here.

I won't image a copy of the MDL order, until at all, as Judge Cavanaugh has signed and entered it, as of April 29, 2008 -- under MDL Case No. 2:08-cv-00285 -- so, things are starting to roll on this front now. Note that the Securities Fraud cases have an MDL and a Lead Plaintiff, and Lead Counsel, already -- as of April 17, 2008. That leaves the ERISA cases, and the RICO cases -- still to be sorted. So, now "Slytherin? or. . . Gryffindor? Hufflepuff. . . or, Ravenclaw?" We shall see.

Buckle-up.