Attorneys who negotiated a nearly $180 million settlement with the Archdiocese of New Orleans on behalf of hundreds of survivors of clergy sex abuse held a virtual town hall Thursday to clear up what they say are misconceptions about the proposed deal.

James Stang, whose California-based firm represents the court-appointed committee of survivors in the church’s long-running bankruptcy case, told dozens of mostly local trial lawyers who represent individual survivors in the case that $180 million is only part of what their clients could receive if the plan is approved.

Some of those lawyers have already said they oppose the plan and don't think it will ever win support of their clients.

"I’ve heard this described as a backroom deal, as a secret deal. There’s nothing secret about this,"

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