Judge Kinkeade Lifts Discovery Stay, Appoints Lead Counsel in Pinnacle MDL

DALLAS - Presiding Judge James "Ed" Kinkeade has lifted the discovery stay imposed when the DePuy Pinnacle Hip Implant MDL was assigned to his court last year, and announced appointments to the Plaintiffs' Steering and Discovery Committees. In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, No.3:11-md-2244-K (N.D. Texas).

Judge Kinkeade's recent orders also included the appointment of Andrews Kurth LLP partner James M. Stanton as special master to assist the court with discovery, attorney conferencing, docketing, legal analysis and coordination with related state, federal and international litigation.

That order was filed on Jan. 9, as was …