U.S. District Chief Judge Nancy Rosenstengel has ordered attorney Aimee Wagstaff to appear in court to address concerns regarding her involvement in the paraquat multidistrict litigation (MDL). The judge’s directive follows reports that Wagstaff, formerly a member of the plaintiffs’ executive committee, planned a video conference with other attorneys involved in the litigation. The purpose of this conference was to discuss options concerning a confidential settlement under negotiation.
Judge Rosenstengel expressed apprehension that Wagstaff’s actions might be encouraging attorneys to reject a potential global settlement before its details are fully disclosed. Emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the court-supervised settlement process, the judge warned that no counsel would be permitted to undermine these proceedings. Consequently, Wagstaff has been ordered to appear on October 14 to address these concerns and potential sanctions.
The paraquat MDL, pending in the Southern District of Illinois since 2021, involves thousands of claims alleging that exposure to the herbicide paraquat has caused Parkinson’s disease. Settlement discussions have led to a temporary pause in discovery and trial preparations, with proceedings set to resume in January 2026.
Wagstaff, a founding partner of Andrus Wagstaff, has a history of involvement in high-profile mass tort litigations. In 2010, she co-founded the firm and has since dedicated her practice to representing clients in cases against pharmaceutical and medical device companies. Notably, she served as lead trial counsel in a federal Roundup trial that resulted in an $80 million verdict.
As the paraquat litigation progresses, the court’s focus remains on ensuring that all parties adhere to the established procedures for settlement negotiations, aiming to achieve a resolution that serves the interests of all involved.