# Lead Plaintiffs' Counsel (LPC)

> Attorneys appointed by the court to lead the plaintiffs' side in consolidated litigation, coordinating strategy, discovery, and settlement negotiations.

**Category:** Legal Procedure
**Canonical URL:** https://drugsmonitor.com/glossary/leading-plaintiffs-counsel
**Last updated:** 2026-06-11

In MDLs and state coordinated proceedings, the court typically appoints lead plaintiffs' counsel (also called lead counsel or liaison counsel) to manage the litigation on behalf of all plaintiffs. LPCs file consolidated complaints, argue key motions, and lead settlement discussions.

Lead counsel is usually selected from the most experienced mass tort firms handling the litigation. A plaintiffs' steering committee (PSC) may also be appointed to share the workload and ensure diverse representation of plaintiffs' interests.

While LPCs manage the overall litigation strategy, individual plaintiffs still have their own attorneys who handle case-specific matters including settlement participation, discovery responses, and client communication. You are not required to accept a settlement that LPC negotiates.

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*Glossary entry from DrugsMonitor.com.*