Products Liability and Environmental Litigation
- Defended a pesticide manufacturer and several distributors in over 100 lawsuits in California Superior Court and various federal courts. Plaintiffs asserted claims for groundwater and drinking water contamination arising from agricultural applications of pesticides containing 1,2,3-trichloropropane (TCP). Helped manage the docket of claims exceeding $1 billion for the target defendant pesticide manufacturer client for 17 years. Part of the trial team for three superior court jury trials, each in excess of three months in duration, resulting in one defense verdict and two other favorable verdicts.
- Defended a chlorinated solvents manufacturer in San Francisco Superior Court against $250 million+ in public nuisance and products liability claims arising from soil and groundwater contamination from releases of perchloroethylene (PCE) at 39 dry cleaner sites.
- Defended a manufacturer of products containing hexavalent chromium (Cr6) in two related lawsuits brought by public drinking water providers. The client's products were alleged to have caused groundwater and drinking water contamination when used during operations at McClellan Air Force Base. Products liability, continuing nuisance, and RCRA claims were asserted.
- Obtained a statute of limitations summary judgment on behalf of a pesticide manufacturer sued by a drinking water provider asserting products liability claims based on groundwater contamination from agricultural applications of 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP) pesticide products.
- Co-counsel in a jury trial on behalf of three major gasoline refiners defending against BTEX property contamination nuisance claims asserted by a neighboring commercial property developer. A defense verdict was obtained.
- Defended a major oil company against a neighboring property owner's claim of crude oil soil and groundwater contamination from a previously abandoned oil well. Favorable settlement was achieved.
- Defended the manufacturer of a gasoline additive, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE), in a series of products liability and nuisance lawsuits alleging groundwater and drinking water contamination arising from leaking underground storage tanks. Part of the trial team for the first MTBE lawsuit to be tried in the United States lasting over six months. First legal team to secure product ID summary judgment for any defendant in MTBE litigation.
- Lead trial counsel for Business and Professions Code Section 17200 claims arising from alleged unfair business practices relating to advertising and product warnings for a gasoline additive.
- Represented the manufacturer of a pesticide product in defense against claims by seven individuals for personal injury and wrongful death allegedly resulting from workplace exposures to products containing TCP. Assisted in all phases of the pretrial workup of case, which resulted in one statute of limitations summary judgment, three defense verdicts, and three other favorable verdicts for the client.
- Defended a pesticide manufacturer against over 7,000 personal injury claims asserted by foreign banana plantation workers arising from alleged exposure to DBCP soil fumigant. Assisted in getting most claims dismissed based on forum non conveniens and other pretrial motions.
- Assisted in the defense of multiple chemical suppliers in a collection of birth defect and personal injury lawsuits brought by former employees of a semiconductor manufacturer. Obtained partial summary judgment rulings on behalf of several clients.