Judges' roundtable on mass torts closed to public; Should it be?

Legal News Line ^ | 2-9-12 | Michael P. Tremoglie

[Miami Vice]

PHILADELPHIA (Legal Newsline) - A roundtable of federal and state judges from across the country will convene at the posh Ritz Carlton on Feb. 9 to address topics such as "Can MDL's keep up with state court trial settings;" "Priority of deposition examination;" "State and federal cooperation;" and "Forum non conveniens."

Sponsored by Mass Torts Made Perfect, the event is open to plaintiff and defense lawyers. It is not, however, open to the media.

Since public servants are convening to discuss public issues (mass torts dramatically affect the economy and the court systems), should the conference be open to the public?

Several law school professors were asked ...

[eyeamok]

Are you crazy?? Do you know that this is America?? Why in Gods name would any peasant serf be allowed to sit in and listen, let alone participate in a Meeting of the Public Masters. Where in the Hell do you think you are?? We will tell you whats best and thats that, got it.

[PGalt]

Thanks for posting. Interesting article by Michael P. Tremoglie

No. What are they hiding and what’s with the robes they wear? Is that some kind of gangster garb? Government should be transparent in most matters large and small, and if not we should alter it to make it so. Who do they think they are activist judges?

[yldstrk]

keep the pesky press out, they will only try to inflict their depraved misinformed views on what is going on.

[Buckeye McFrog]

We may not like what they do one bit, but they are still a private organization, entitled to meet and discuss things in private. The pretzel logic used by this author would put us on a very slippery slope.