Proposed Joint Defense Agreement Spawns Dispute in Calif.

OAKLAND, Calif. - A dispute has arisen in California over whether a CMO for silica cases should include a joint defense agreement that was proposed after plaintiffs sought information from defendants regarding conversations they had in the past about reducing the number of silica-related lawsuits. Brown v. Lone Star Industries Inc., et al., No. RG05210447 (Calif. Super. Ct., Alameda Cty.).

On June 25, plaintiffs opposed a defense motion that seeks to amend the Alameda County Superior Court's Case Management Order for silica claims to include the details of the proposed joint defense agreement.

The plaintiffs contend that the motion is …