Houston judge ready to handle lawsuits

U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes says he’s ready, willing and able to hear Deepwater Horizon-related  lawsuits in his Houston courtroom.

Unlike several New Orleans judges who recused themselves due to financial holdings in BP and other companies connected with the platform disaster, Hughes said he has no conflict of interest and has posted his financial holdings on his court website.

BP attorneys had previously requested Hughes by name to deal with all pre-trial aspects of the federal claims. At least one of the plaintiffs’ lawyers is on the record as supporting the choice of Hughes.

Houston attorney Brian Beckcom of Vujasinovic and Beckcom PLCC supports the cases being heard in Harris County, Texas because “the courts (here) have great experience in sorting through complex offshore law.” In Houston the cases would be heard in Beckcom’s backyard as the U.S. District Courthouse is literally a few minutes walk from his office.

Source: Houston Chronicle