In 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) experienced a notable surge in the percentage of new Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) petitions it approved. The panel, known for its role in consolidating complex legal cases that span multiple jurisdictions, granted 25 petitions while denying only eight. This marked one of the highest grant rates observed in recent years.
This development highlights a potential trend in the JPML’s approach and its implications for legal proceedings moving forward. The column, authored by Alan Rothman at Sidley, examines the dynamics of these decisions as the panel met for its January hearing in Florida.
For a deeper dive into this trend and its impact on the legal landscape, you can access the full column here.