Federal Judge Declares Friction Product Claims Against Automakers Shouldn't Be Transferred to Federal-Mogul Bankruptcy

subSome 100-plus Pack Delaware Courtroom to Hear Arguments over Friction Defendants' Removal and Transfer Motionendsub

icFendicor the more than 100 attorneys and reporters who packed Courtroom 2A of the federal district court in Delaware on Feb. 8, at least one thing was certain.

photo-1Judge Alfred M. Wolin was not going to waste any time ruling on the Big Three automakers' motion to transfer to federal bankruptcy court an estimated 20,000 asbestos claims pending throughout the country.

In his opening remarks, Judge Wolin made it clear that upon hearing from both sides, he'd retire to chambers. …