Prof. Painter Quoted in Reuters on GM's Retention of Outside Law Firm to Investigate Product Safety Issues

Professor Richard Painter was quoted in a Reuters story on GM's decision to retain a prominent outside law firm to investigate alleged safety problems with many of its vehicles. Painter noted that GM's hiring a law firm with which it has a long-standing relationship may indicate that it is focusing on defense of product liability claims rather than on preparing a report that will fully be made available to the public. "If they want to send a message to shareholders that they have uncovered everything, they might hire an independent firm," Painter told Reuters. "But they may want to disclose just enough to keep shareholders informed, and keep other things private to keep legal defenses available to them."