Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Litigation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vernon County affirms counsel’s authority to add defendants in opioid litigation
Summary
The board adopted Resolution 2025-35 confirming and ratifying county counsel and retained law firms’ authority to add additional defendants to MDL 2804 opioid litigation after counsel’s authority was questioned; the minutes include an attached non-inclusive Exhibit A listing potential defendants.
Vernon County on June 19 adopted Resolution 2025-35 to confirm and ratify the authority of the county’s retained law firms and counsel to add additional defendants to ongoing opioid litigation (MDL 2804) and to take related federal or state-court actions. Administrative Coordinator Cassie Hanan told the board one defendant had questioned the county counsel’s authority during ongoing litigation, and the Wisconsin Counties Association legal counsel recommended passage of a clarifying resolution.
The resolution records that the county’s engagement agreements contemplated adding additional parties as investigation proceeded and specifically authorizes counsel to amend pleadings or commence proceedings to add those parties. The minutes include a non-inclusive Exhibit A naming manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies and retailers (for example, Purdue Pharma, McKesson, CVS Health, Walgreens, Walmart) as potential defendants. Motion language in the minutes shows the board moved to “adopt Resolution 2025-35”; the motion was moved by Supervisor Taylor and seconded by Supervisor Lawler and adopted by voice vote.
