New York Times, July 30.
The lawyers are meeting in Boise, Idaho, asking for decisions on which court ought to be asked for to hear the case for damages against BP. The federal Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation meets there this month- a different site is selected for each of these gatherings.
These suits will go on for years.
"Choosing the right venue for the cases, to avoid any potential conflicts of interest for the judges or jurors, is essential." E. J. Cabraser, the lawyer who represented plaintiffs in the Exxon-Valdez case.
Lawyers present their case to a panel of seven judges; they will issue decisions in August. BP prefers Houston; plaintiffs mostly have other choices.

"Lawyers, Far from Gulf, Skirmish on Spill Claims," John Swartz; NY Times, July 29, 2010.