M.C. v. Pactiv Corporation, et al (Lead Case)

RESPONSE to Motion re MOTION in camera inspection

M.D. Ala.August 18, 2006

1 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA NORTHERN DIVISION M.C., Who Sues By and Through Her Mother And Next of Friend, GAIL TATUM, Plaintiff, vs. PACTIV CORPORATION and LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION, Defendants. ) ) ) ) CASE NO. 2:06-cv-00083-LES-CSC ) ) ) ) ) ) ) RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFFS’ “MOTION FOR IN CAMERA INSPECTION” Defendant Louisiana-Pacific Corporation regrets the significant number of recent filings with this Court. However, Louisiana-Pacific believes it has an obligation to the Court and Plaintiffs’ Counsel to clarify Louisiana-Pacific’s current understanding of Mr. Ezell’s status in this litigation. 1. Mr. Roy Ezell is a long-time former plant manager at the Lockhart Lumber facility. Louisiana-Pacific employed him in this capacity. 2. Plaintiffs’ Counsel identified Mr. Ezell as a named Plaintiff in a Complaint relating to alleged emissions from the former Lockhart Lumber mill in Lockhart, Alabama. See Complaint in Anderson v. Pactiv Corp., 2:06-CV-000739-LES-CSC. 3. Plaintiffs noticed a preservation deposition for Mr. Ezell for September 13, 2006. 4. Mrs. Joann D. Ezell gave a sworn statement on August 11, 2006 indicating that Mr. Ezell did not authorize anyone to represent him in connection with this litigation, and, moreover, does not want to be involved. See Exhibit B to Defendants’ “Joint Motion for Protective Order.” Case 2:06-cv-00083-LES-CSC Document 77 Filed 08/18/2006 Page 1 of 4 2 5. Louisiana-Pacific subsequently offered to provide Mrs. Ezell with independent counsel to advise her in connection with this matter. 6. Upon information and belief, Mr. and Mrs. Ezell met with potential independent counsel and determined that they do not desire independent counsel at this time. 7. Upon further information and belief, and despite the information in Mrs. Ezell’s sworn statement, Mr. Ezell may wish to remain a named Plaintiff in this litigation. [SIGNATURE BLOCK ON FOLLOWING PAGE] Case 2:06-cv-00083-LES-CSC Document 77 Filed 08/18/2006 Page 2 of 4 3 Respectfully submitted this 18th day of August, 2006. /s/ Bernard Taylor Bernard Taylor (admitted pro hac vice) Douglas S. Arnold (admitted pro hac vice) Orlyn O. Lockard, III (admitted pro hac vice) Counsel for Defendant Louisiana-Pacific Corporation OF COUNSEL: ALSTON & BIRD LLP One Atlantic Center 1201 West Peachtree Street, N.W. Atlanta, Georgia 30309 Tel: (404) 881-7000 Fax: (404) 881-7777 bernard.taylor@alston.com doug.arnold@alston.com skip.lockard@alston.com ADDITIONAL COUNSEL: Dennis R. Bailey ASB No. 4845-I71D R. Austin Huffaker ASB NO. 3422-F55R RUSHTON, STAKELY, JOHNSON, & GARRETT, P.A. 184 Commerce Street Post Office Box 270 Montgomery, AL 36101 Tel: (334) 206-3100 Fax: (334) 262-6277 drb@rsjg.com (Bailey) rah2@rsjg.com (Huffaker) Laura Proctor ASB 1504-R54L Associate General Counsel Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 414 Union Street North, Suite 2000 Nashville, Tennessee 37219 Tel: (615) 986-5878 Fax: 1-866-741-5091 laura.proctor@lpcorp.com Case 2:06-cv-00083-LES-CSC Document 77 Filed 08/18/2006 Page 3 of 4 4 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE This is to certify that I have this day served a copy of the foregoing document on all counsel of record by filing it on the Court’s CM/ECF electronic case management system. This 18th day of August, 2006. /s/ Orlyn O. Lockard, III Orlyn O. Lockard, III Case 2:06-cv-00083-LES-CSC Document 77 Filed 08/18/2006 Page 4 of 4