Ex-J&J Lawyer Proposed $19 Billion Talc-Cancer Case Settlement

A lawyer who is trying to broker a settlement in Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder cancer lawsuits proposed that it can resolve the decade-long litigation and any future cases for $19 billion — $10 billion more than the company offered in two failed trips through bankruptcy court.

James Conlan, a former law firm partner who used to defend J&J against baby powder suits, now runs a business aimed at helping corporations corral liability in mass personal injury litigation.

He floated his proposal to J&J’s board in November, according to a court filing unsealed this week. But J&J rejected it ...