Mass Torts and Product Liability Litigation

Orrick lawyers are committed to the principle that product liability and product recall strategies and litigation must serve business objectives. We work with each client to shape a litigation strategy that supports research, development and marketing goals. From the outset, we explore with clients the challenges, risks and costs presented by possible recalls or claims together with the impact those claims may have on their products, business partnerships, daily operations and international reputation.

Our experience includes personal injury defense, toxic tort actions, and class and mass tort actions throughout the United States. We also advise clients on litigation avoidance, conduct pre-merger and acquisition due diligence, and represent clients on insurance coverage for product liability exposures.

Orrick's reputation in mass torts and product liability litigation stems from:

• Our winning record in high-stakes litigation.
• Our experience handling large, multi-jurisdictional matters.
• Our focus on strategies that maximize resources and protect our clients' businesses and products.
• Our ability to minimize liability from potentially catastrophic liabilities.

Winning Approaches for Litigation and Trial

Personal injury defense litigation with millions (and, at times, even billions) at stake is a primary focus of our practice. Clients look to Orrick to take these cases to trial because of our ability to understand the issues thoroughly, position cases for maximum trial advantage, clearly communicate complex concepts to judges and juries, and persuasively present the facts and argue the law.

We leave nothing to chance at trial. Our litigation teams conduct detailed research and analysis, and, where appropriate, employ focus groups and mock juries. Most importantly, we involve the client in every stage of the process. In all litigation phases, our lawyers use cutting-edge technologies, including the latest in Web-enabled communications and videoconferencing, case-management collaboration tools and secure document, e-mail and digital image data warehouses. Moreover, we bring together winning teams of lawyers with the right mix of technical and industry-specific skills for each case.

Depth of Product Liability Experience

Orrick has represented defendants in lawsuits pending in various state and federal courts throughout the United States with respect to the following products.

• asbestos
• breast implants
• polio vaccine
• DTP vaccine
• anti-convulsants
• antibiotics
• birth control devices
• lead pigment
• alcoholic beverages
• fertilizers and pesticides
• silica filter aid products

Law, Policy and Crisis Group

Orrick also has a unique Law, Policy and Crisis Group dedicated to assisting our clients in communicating the story of a product defect or product recall to the public in a timely and responsible fashion. Working closely with clients, our lawyers investigate and report accurately on the facts and can help limit the potential negative impact on company and brand image. Failure to manage a crisis in a professional manner can have disastrous effects on a company’s value and share price, and Orrick’s professionals assist clients with these issues while ensuring that attorney-client privilege regarding any related litigation is maintained.

Contact Us

For more information regarding Orrick’s mass torts and product liability practice, please contact

James L. Stengel
212-506-3775
jstengel@orrick.com