Ohio Lead Paint Suit

At Point of Law, Walter Olson notes that Ohio has followed Rhode Island in pursuing public nuisance claims against lead paint manufacturers.  Five Ohio cities had previously filed lead paint suits.  Olson emphasizes the separation of powers problem that occurs whenever a state AG uses contingent fee lawyers to pursue litigation, bypassing legislative control over the purse strings.  The Motley Rice law firm represents the Ohio municipal plaintiffs as well as the state of Rhode Island, but according to this April 4 story in the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Ohio attorney general has not yet decided whether the state will be represented by Motley Rice.

HME