San Francisco – JAMS, the largest private provider of ADR services worldwide, is proud to announce that Cathy Yanni has been appointed a Special Master of the Opioid Multi-District Litigation.
Hon. Daniel Polster appointed three Special Masters to assist the Judge with designing and implementing a comprehensive settlement. In addition to Ms. Yanni, David Cohen and Francis McGovern will serve as special masters. The special masters will be tasked with coordinating with the parties and identifying the diverse interests represented in the Opioid MDL in order to create a settlement framework.
Judge Polster is overseeing more than 180 lawsuits against drug companies brought by local communities across the country, including California, Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Municipalities include San Joaquin County in California; Portsmouth, Ohio; and Huntington, West Virginia. Among the claims within the MDL are that the pharmaceutical industry deceptively marketed highly addictive prescription painkillers, thereby contributing to a growing epidemic that has resulted in addiction and even death in those who use the painkillers.
Ms. Yanni has been a panelist with JAMS since 1998, and has served as Settlement Special Master in multiple large pharmaceutical and medical device cases in the past. As Settlement Special Master in large class actions and MDLs, Ms. Yanni has designed, managed and adjudicated settlement proceedings and fund allocation processes.
About JAMS
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of mediation and arbitration services worldwide. With Resolution Centers nationwide and abroad, JAMS and its nearly 350 neutrals are responsible for resolving thousands of the world’s important cases. JAMS may be reached at 800-352-5267 or www.jamsadr.com.
