MDL Plaintiffs Propose Ill. Law to Govern Attorney-Client Privilege Claims

SAN FRANCISCO - Defendants in the federal Bextra/Celebrex MDL should be ordered to produce privilege logs complying with Illinois law and the state's "control group test," plaintiffs have asserted in arguing that Pfizer Inc.'s and other corporate defendants' attorney-client privilege claims are overbroad. In Re: Bextra and Celebrex Marketing, Sales Practices and Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1699 (N.D. Calif.).

In a March 9 reply brief filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, the Plaintiffs' Steering Committee specifically opposes Pfizer, G.D. Searle & Co. and Pharmacia Corp.'s request that the court apply federal privilege law …