KTRV Fox 12 BP Litigation Comes To Boise

BP Litigation Comes To Boise

Boise, Idaho -- The Deep Horizon Spill is the subject of hundreds of lawsuits against oil giant BP, but the city of Boise is playing a pivotal role in the process.

One attorney at the Federal Courthouse in Boise called it "the highest profile litigation there's ever been."

You might find little argument there, and Thursday a panel of judges listen to arguments as to where and how these historic cases will be handled.

"This was a circus," said Mark Lanier, an attorney who has offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Houston, to start.

"As they say back home, there's a bunch of high-dollar lawyers up here," added Pat Morrow, an attorney representing a number of fishermen affected by the spill.

Masses of some of the most expensive attorneys in the country made their case to hold proceedings for lawsuits against BP. It may have happened thousands of miles away, but Thursday eyes were on Boise.

The multi-district litigation, or MDL Panel, decides where federal cases will go and specifically how each environmental, civil, and wrongful death suit surrounding the spill will be tried.

It just so happened to be Boise's turn to play host.

"Our way of life is being threatened. It's not just money to us," said attorney Steve Herman, who is lobbying for the hearings to be held in the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Even in the inland northwest, BP can't escape vocal opposition.

"It almost feels like they're trying to get it as far away from the gulf as possible," said Idaho Falls resident Daniel Casper, who was among a group of Idahoans who said those demanding justice aren't just in the gulf.

"What we are here trying to do is show support for the families that have been affected, and to try to show support for the idea that the judge assigned to those lawsuits should no have any ties to the oil corporation," Casper said.

Just about every group from the gulf was represented Thursday.

Lanier is the attorney for families of the workers killed on the rig when it exploded.

"Exxon Valdez was a oil leak on the driveway compared to what we've got here," said Lanier

There were some emotional pleas for a quick decision in the gulf. Herman expects a big, expensive, fight.

"When somebody whose responsible is putting up $20 billion right off the bat, the magnitude of that speaks volumes," he said.

Federal judges won't make a decision for another couple of weeks, but no matter where it's held, you can bet millions will be watching in the country, even here in Idaho.