Judge holds the key in massive FHFA litigation   Is there any
hope for a quick end to the massive litigation brought by the
FHFA, the overseer of the big housing GSEs, against big banks
over mortgage misrepresentation issues?  If so, the best chance
may rest with U.S. District Judge Denise Cote, 66, who was
appointed to the federal bench in 1994 and "is best-known for
presiding over the WorldCom securities fraud case nearly a
decade ago. She is known as a no-nonsense judge who stresses
efficiency in large, complex cases," according to Reuters.  The
bulk of the FHFA cases remain before her, and she has made clear
that she wants a settlement. But that hasn't happened so far,
and it might never happen.  That said, there's plenty of time
before the first trial gets underway. It's scheduled for next
January.  All in all, it does not look as though the banks will
be successful in getting these cases dismissed, according to the
piece: "Cote's rulings at times have frustrated the banks, such
as orders limiting discov