the first filed federal case in houston was assigned, is an appropriate choice to provide oversight of these cases. >> this isn't a rank and file case. this is a case involving a couple hundred cases involving the biggest oil disaster in the history of the country where we ought to be especially concerned about public confidence in the judiciary. >> reporter: cnn examined judge hughes' rulings on oil and gas cases going back three years. in fact, he ruled in favor of oil companies just a little more often than he ruled against them. lawyers who know judge hughes tell cnn he's fair and tough, but environmental attorneys say even the request by bp to have this judge sit on the bench is, quote, outrageous and unseemly. abbie boudreau, cnn, atlanta. >> consolidating hundreds of lawsuits under a same judge is not unusual. faulty gas pedals, bp's specific