Opioid MDL Judge Denies Defendants’ Request to Disqualify Himself

CLEVELAND — The Ohio federal judge overseeing the federal opioid multidistrict litigation has refused to disqualify himself, rejecting defendants’ arguments that his active participation in encouraging settlement talks is evidence that he is biased against them.

In a Sept. 26 order, Judge Dan Polster conceded that from the outset of the MDL, he has encouraged all sides to consider settlement, but his statements in open court or to the press do not suggest any bias or partiality.

The first bellwether MDL trial is scheduled to begin on Oct. 21, with jury selection starting on Oct. 16. The case involves two …