When you hear “mass tort,” you probably think complexity, coordination, and chaos. But what if it’s also the future of scalable legal practice?
On a recent episode of the Trial Lawyer View by Synergy podcast, I sat down with Vance Andrus—a seasoned litigator and architect of some of the most impactful mass tort cases in the country. We were also joined by Vance’s son, Cameron Andrus who is the mass tort manager for Roman Balaban and Associates. Together, we unpacked not just the litigation mechanics of MDLs (multi-district litigation), but what it really takes to lead in that space.
Let me tell you—this wasn’t your typical war story.
🎯 The Untold Challenge of MDLs: Leadership Isn’t Just Assigned. It’s Earned.
Vance put it bluntly: “In a single event, you’re the leader. In mass torts, you have to earn the right to lead thousands.”
The behind-the-scenes politics of MDL leadership can be brutal, elections, personalities, and the need to prove you can manage not just discovery and strategy, but human relationships. And for those already managing thousands of clients back at the firm, this can mean choosing your lane: be the MDL leader, or run the firm. Rarely both.
If you’re trying to grow, here’s the lesson: real scale comes from real delegation. And it starts by empowering people, not just assigning them tasks.
👥 Your Clients Aren’t Inventory. They’re Populations.
Cameron dropped a truth that should hit home for any lawyer looking to scale ethically: “Clients aren’t inventory. They’re people. Populations. And they deserve to be treated that way.”
He outlined a practical system that any firm can implement: a centralized communication rhythm. Send monthly updates to everyone, even if nothing has changed. Call every client quarterly. Ask how their family’s doing. Keep their email current. Simple? Yes. But harder in practice.
If you’re scaling mass tort or simply trying to manage large caseloads better, this approach is a masterclass in operational empathy.
⚖️ How Do You Deal with Problematic MDLs?
When an MDL is a problem, it’s not always the defense—or the facts. It can be a judge who doesn’t understand aggregation. It can be discovery processes that spiral out of control. Or worse, internal misalignment between MDL and state court strategies.
Cameron offered tactical advice: coordinate early. If you know your MDL is going to be tough, explore state court pathways. But don’t go rogue. Loop in leadership, coordinate terms, and negotiate information sharing from day one.
The best results come when there’s alignment across jurisdictions and leadership—not just litigation firepower.
Key Takeaways for Growth-Minded Firms
· Clients need to feel seen even at scale. Thoughtful communication systems are your edge.
· Real leadership in mass torts starts with humility and strategy, not hunger for headlines.
· Your firm’s scalability hinges on who you empower and how much authority they’re actually given.
🌄 Why This Matters to the Peak Practice Community
For the Peak Practice community, conversations like this matter because they bridge the gap between courtroom strategy and business growth. Understanding how leaders like Vance and Cameron Andrus navigate the complexity of MDLs gives trial lawyers actionable insight into scaling their practices without sacrificing client care. These lessons: delegating authority, treating clients as people not case numbers, and building systems that withstand high-volume litigation are exactly what allow firms to grow sustainably. By learning from top practitioners, our community gains the tools to operate more efficiently, serve clients better, and position their firms as leaders in the evolving personal injury landscape.
🔗 Ready to Think Differently About Your Practice?
🎧 Listen to the full conversation on Trial Lawyer View here: https://triallawyerview.com/podcast/vance-cameron-andrus/
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