Cathy Yanni Special Master; Mediator Cathy Yanni is an American lawyer [1] with over 20 years experience as Special Master, [2] and Mediator, [3] for high-profile class actions [4] and Multi-District Litigations [5] (MDLs) throughout the United States, and internationally. As Special Master, Ms. Yanni has designed, managed and/or adjudicated thousands of claims and settlements [6]. Education and Early Career

Born in Philadelphia, PA, Ms. Yanni received a B.A. [7] degree from Mount Holyoke College in 1975. From 1973-1974, Ms. Yanni attended Dartmouth College as a junior year exchange student. She was awarded a Juris Doctor [8]from Golden Gate University School of Law 1 in 1981. At Golden Gate, she was a member of the law review. From 1994 to 1998, Ms. Yanni served as a Discovery Referee for the Superior Court of California, San Mateo County. She conducted hearings on a wide range of discovery issues including matters of privilege [10], trade secrets [11], attorney fees. She also conducted settlement conferences [12], small claims court [13]appeals, and unlawful detainer hearings. From 1982 – 1998, Ms. Yanni worked at Low, Ball & Lynch, San Francisco, CA, being named partner in 1989. Experience at JAMS

In 1998, Cathy Yanni joined JAMS, the largest private alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provider in the world. She mediates a broad range of legal disputes including class actions, privacy and data breach, employment, and elder abuse cases, and serves as Settlement Special Master for MDLs <HTTP://www.Jamsadr.com>, Selected Notable MDL, Class Actions and Mass Tort Settlements In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation < http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/MDL-2804-Initial-Transfer-11-17.pdf >, -- In January, 2018, Ms. Yanni was appointed Special Master by the Hon. Dan A. Polster [15], United States District Court [17] for the Northern District of Ohio. Judge Polster was designated by the Federal Judicial Panel to preside over the MDL concerning more than 400 cases brought by cities and counties, hospitals, and Tribes, against various defendant opioid makers, wholesalers, and distributors. Transvaginal Mesh (TVM) Cases [18] – In 2015, Ms. Yanni was appointed Special Master by the Hon. Joseph Goodwin [19], United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, to administer, implement, and allocate MDL settlements concerning various defendants, including Boston Scientific, Covidien, Coloplast, AMS, BARD, and Ethicon. In re: Abilify (Aripiprazole) Products Liability Litigation < http://www.jpml.uscourts.gov/sites/jpml/files/MDL-2734-Tag-Along-Transfer-11-17.pdf ink case>– In 2017, Chief Judge Hon. M. Casey Rodgers <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Catharine_Rodgers >, United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, appointed Ms. Yanni to be the Settlement Special Master. Abilify is an MDL of approximately 700 cases concerning the alleged compulsive side effects of the drug Abilify, which is used to treat bipolar and schizophrenic behavior. In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. – In 2013, Ms. Yanni was appointed by the Hon. David A. Katz [20], United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, to administer and implement the $2.9 billion settlement, [21], concerning ASR™ Hip Implant Products. Gadolinium Contrast Dyes Product [22] Liability Litigation – In 2012, Ms.Yanni was appointed Special Master by the Hon. Dan A. Polster to settle MDL cases involving allegations of catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death. Ms. Yanni also was appointed mediator for state court cases by the Hon. Richard Kramer[1], San Francisco Superior Court. In re Silicone Gel Breast Implants Products Liability [23] Litigation -- In 2007, Ms. Yanni was appointed by the Hon. Denise Hood [24], United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, as Federal Mediator to resolve Dow Corning Settlement Fund<https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/07/09/dow-corning-accepts-implant-settlement-plan/8627922a-0b93-49a3-9c98-bfef9e363d5a/?utm_term=.d7d3663db34b> cases. Eli Lilly's Zyprexa [25] I, II -- In 2005, Ms. Yanni was appointed Special Master by the Hon. Jack Weinstein [26], United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, to design and implement claims administration and distribution of an $800 million settlement.

References

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  1. ^ Kramer, Richard. "San Francisco Superior Court Judge". Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 9 April 2018.