Controlling Litigation Costs with a Neutral Third Party
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On the wall of his Hartford law office, William Champlin keeps a chart that faintly resembles a giant scorecard. The ”players” are more than 100 companies, manufacturers of products ranging from elevators to floor wax. They are also defendants in a lawsuit growing out of a devastating 1986 fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, P On the wall of his Hartford law office, William Champlin keeps a chart that faintly resembles a giant scorecard. The ”players” are more than 100 companies, manufacturers of products ranging from elevators to floor wax. They are also defendants in a lawsuit growing out of a devastating 1986 fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel in San Juan, P.R., and the chart allocates their contributions to a hypothetical settlement. The companies have agreed to cooperate in defending the case, which seeks redress for the death of nearly 100 people and injuries to many others. Their strategy, Mr. Champlin said, is to blame the hotel and its owners rather than ”pointing the finger at each other.” Retained as a neutral party, he has helped the defendants arbitrate, mediate and negotiate their differences. By reducing the need for separate representation at every turn, the companies have saved more than $75 million in legal fees, Mr. Champlin estimated. More : query.nytimes.com |