Lawyer tapped to help federal judge in knotty Flint water suits

ANN ARBOR (AP) — A judge overseeing lawsuits related to Flint’s lead-tainted water has hired a Washington lawyer to assist her as special master at $600 per hour.

Deborah Greenspan was appointed last Thursday by Ann Arbor federal Judge Judith Levy. Greenspan is experienced in handling complex personal-injury claims, including the distribution of money to 9/11 victims.

Levy says Greenspan will handle pretrial matters that can’t be timely addressed by her or a magistrate judge. She’ll have authority to preside over hearings and take evidence.Her fees will be shared by lawyers on each side.

Flint residents are suing city and state officials as well as companies that were hired to analyze the city’s water system.

A lack of water treatment allowed lead to leach from old pipes.