New Judge Assigned in Florida Cases; Status Conference Set

OCALA, Fla. -- A new judge has been assigned in a pair of benzene lawsuits pending in Florida state court while a status conference is scheduled to be held in January 2007, the clerk's office told HarrisMartin. Irby, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 02-812-CA-K; Dorman, et al. v. Ashland Inc., et al., No. 02-812-CA-K (Fla. 5th Jud. Cir. Ct., Marion Cty.).

Chief Judge Victor J. Musleh was overseeing the rubber plant cases but is retiring, sources told HarrisMartin. Circuit Judge Sandra Edwards-Stephens has been assigned to the proceedings.

According to a fourth amended complaint filed Jan. 22, …