Jams/Endispute Introduces National Class-Action Settlement Program

Jams/Endispute Tuesday announced the formation of a class action and mass tort settlement forum, which it says it the first of its kind in the country. Its goal is to ensure just and efficient allocation of settlement funds in class action and mass tort cases.

Mediators Judge Daniel H. Weinstein and Lester Levy Esq., both of Jams/Endispute, created the Class Action Settlement Administration Program in response to the U.S. Supreme Court discussion of how Amchem Products vs. Windsor highlighted the judicial system's ineffectual handling of mass tort claims. The new program is designed to eliminate conflict between multiple plaintiffs and their lawyers, and through a review of individual claims, helps distribute settlement funds more quickly.

"Litigating large-scale class actions or mass tort actions against the defendant is only half the battle. Our program helps lawyers achieve a speedy resolution and good will with their clients, while ensuring everyone gets paid fairly and quickly for their injuries and services," said retired San Francisco Superior Court Judge Weinstein.

"This program is a full-service solution to the inherent conflicts in handling class-action settlements through the standard litigation process. I am pleased that Judge Weinstein and Lester Levy have developed this program and provided a way for us to promote better paths to complex resolution," said Steve Price, Jams/Endispute president and chief executive officer.

According to the company, Weinstein has experience in resolving large, complex multiparty cases, including Stull vs. Bank of America, L-Tryptophan cases, Petroleum Products Antitrust Litigation, Central Valley DBCP Water cases, In re Manufacturers' Life Insurance cases and Superfund settlements at Hillview Porter, City of Sparks, Lincoln Properties and The San Francisco Airport.

Levy, also a Jams/Endispute mediator, reportedly has jointly mediated with Weinstein on such cases as Stull vs. Bank of America and In re Manufacturers' Life Insurance. Levy recently oversaw the allocation and administration of more than 13,000 claims in the In re Unocal Catacarb Release cases and served as Judge pro tempore in the In re General Chemical Release cases involving more than 60,000 claimants.

Recently, in a period of approximately six months, they say, Weinstein, Levy and Phipps resolved settlement issues surrounding allocation of $80 million to more than 13,000 claimants. Working through the current court system, a settlement of that magnitude would have taken at least several years.