Decrying “judicial interference,” lawyers for New York City and its contractors want Southern District Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein to stop talking about his objections to a $657 million settlement of some 10,000 9/11 respiratory cases.
In papers filed yesterday with Judge Hellerstein seeking a stay pending appeal of the litigation, lead lawyer James Tyrrell Jr. of Patton Boggs argued that the judge’s comments are damaging prospects for a “just” resolution of the cases. Plaintiffs who want to settle should be allowed to do so “free from court interference or influence,” he said.
