Special Master

A Special Master is appointed by the court to handle some or all aspects of a particular case or cases. The role and scope of the Special Master is defined by the court and typically ranges from recommending and enforcing case management orders, managing discovery between all parties, to hearing evidence on behalf of the judge for making recommendations as to the disposition of a matter. The Special Master can bring efficiency and order to a complicated dispute in active litigation.

Court appointment of a Special Master is usually on recommendation of counsel that the appointment would assist in working a case to a timely resolution. Agreement by the parties on the specific matter appointed ensures a productive working relationship.

In mass tort cases where settlement has been reached among hundreds or thousands of potential claimants, the Special Master works with the judge and attorneys to develop criteria and case evaluation parameters for allocation of settlement funds.

The professionals of SMS Dispute Resolution are experienced Special Masters in over 4,000 individual hurricane cases, plant explosions, environmental disasters, and civil rights cases, in both state and federal courts.