Shell Moves to Postpone Feb. 2015 Benzene Trial, Says Lead Counsel Has Conflict

NEW ORLEANS –– Shell Oil Co. has asked a Louisiana federal court to continue a February trial scheduled in a benzene case, saying that its lead attorney has an unavoidable conflict.

In a Nov. 17 motion filed with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, Shell Oil said that its lead counsel, Stan Perry of Reed Smith in Houston, is scheduled to sit for the Louisiana Bar Exam on the week of Feb. 9, 2015.

In its motion, Shell noted that its efforts to continue the trial by 60 days are opposed by the plaintiffs.

“This is …