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Plaintiffs' attorneys have filed several lawsuits in recent months involving two recalled drugs, the generic blood thinner heparin, and prescription medication Digitek, that could signal a clean break from past actions that were far less successful against drugs Vioxx and Paxil.

The question of whether expert witnesses should be immune from disciplinary action when they testify as experts in medical malpractice trials is not just an American issue. Medical societies and courts worldwide are grappling with the subject and their decisions can inform discussions in our own country.

Last month, the authors discussed the fact that state laws vary regarding whether and when an impaired plaintiff can be present in the courtroom during the trial of his or her case. The authors conclude with a discussion on methods for diminishing the emotional impact on the jury of the courtroom presence of such a plaintiff.

Many nervous attorneys are inundating their state and local bar associations with questions about what their personal and firm responsibilities are when client trust accounts are held in banks that fail. Bar associations are responding with Web postings and formal ethics opinions.

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Recent rulings of interest to you and your practice.