When it comes to class action lawsuits, the role of the court-appointed counsel is to act as an advocate for the interests of the allegedly incapacitated person. This means that they must take an active part in the process, and be willing to assign tasks of common benefit between the designated leadership structure and beyond it. It is important for potential clients to provide information and assign work when appropriate, so that lawyers remain informed of the participants in the litigation. Under the auspices of Duke Law School's Bolch Judicial Institute, a group of 125 professionals and judges have worked together in four teams over the past 20 months to develop guidelines and best practices for implementing amendments. This draft was sent for comment to a larger group of 125 professionals and judges, who attended a previous Institute conference on the settlement of class action lawsuits. Objectors can also play a critical role in class action lawsuits by pointing out the weaknesses of proposed settlements.
Courts recognize this, and it is important for potential clients to provide information and assign work when appropriate (under a court order authorizing this process) so that lawyers remain informed of the participants in the litigation.
