1.   A judge in Missouri recently refused to certify a class in that state.

2.   But last week the judge allowed an appeal now on whether the class should be certified.

3.   Four classes have been certified.

4.   Judges in Florida and Louisiana have approved class actions by smokers, and a New York judge suggested that he would likely certify a class in that state.

5.   Jones died in January, and the Fifth Circuit is reviewing his decision to certify the class on appeal.

6.   McGehee said the defendants sought to have the lawsuits thrown out based on the change in the law, but a trial judge certified the class.

7.   Milberg Weiss partner Melvin Weiss said whatever assets are attached would be available for recovery by whatever class is eventually certified.

8.   The clock on the statute of limitations had been stopped while he considered certifying the class.

9.   The class was certified by the late U.S. District Judge Olka Jones II, who was named to the bench by President Clinton.

10.   The District Court declined to certify the class, entered summary judgment for Matsushita, and dismissed the case.