Appoint its own judge? What nonsense!
Look at current Walmart and Toyota class-action suits. Neither is receiving favorable treatment at the current stage of the actions. Too bad that they didn't appoint their own judges.

BP has asked that the suit be heard by a jurist familiar with oil cases.
They also asked that the cases be handled in Houston, where most of the records and witnesses are located.

District Court Judge Hughes is a well known ethicist. "Records show that he has ruled both for and against the industry." Moreover cases, if the verdict is contested, go to appeals courts.
"The U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation ........will decide in July if the BP suits should be consolidated in a single court- and if Hughes should handle the cases."

Environment, 05.29.10. Miami Herald.