As the talcum powder litigation against Johnson & Johnson progresses, a New Jersey state court judge is set to hear arguments this Thursday regarding the rejection of pro hac vice admissions for two attorneys from Beasley Allen. These attorneys, Andy Birchfield and Leigh O’Dell, have been active in the ongoing litigation against the pharmaceutical giant. Johnson & Johnson has called attention to what they describe as a “myriad of ethical issues,” prompting the request for denial of the attorneys’ temporary practice rights in New Jersey.
Last year, a similar effort by Johnson & Johnson to disqualify Beasley Allen from the multidistrict talc litigation was rejected by Judge John Porto, who is also presiding over the current motion. Additionally, Johnson & Johnson has renewed its motion to disqualify Beasley Allen from playing a leadership role in the talc multidistrict litigation and seeks to bar the same attorneys from participating in two related class actions. For more detailed developments on this case, the information can be accessed through Law.com.