Gilbert’s work to combat the opioid crisis includes significant involvement in the bankruptcy arena, including playing a major role in negotiating the original 2021 bankruptcy settlement in In Re: Purdue Pharma LP that was ultimately reversed on appeal by the U.S. Supreme Court because of releases provided to members of the Sackler family who were not debtors in the bankruptcy. Since the Supreme Court’s ruling Gilbert has been actively engaged in on-going mediations among the major claimants, Purdue and the members of the Sackler family to fashion appropriate relief for all parties.
Gilbert is currently representing the Ad Hoc Committee of Governmental and Other Contingent Litigation claimants in an insurance coverage Adversary Proceeding in the Purdue Bankruptcy to secure funds to pay claimants once a plan of reorganization is ultimately completed. Gilbert is also lead counsel in a coverage action filed on June 16, 2022 in Missouri state court on behalf of the Trust established to address opioid claims against Mallinckrodt.
The Purdue and Mallinckrodt bankruptcies are two of several opioid matters in which Gilbert is involved, including the MDL proceedings in Ohio and litigations by state attorneys general and sovereign Indian tribes against opioid manufacturers, distributors, chain retailers, and others seeking remediation and damages for the U.S. opioid crisis.