CHICAGO — Norton Rose Fulbright, a prominent global law firm, has bolstered its Chicago office with the addition of two highly regarded litigators, Joshua Lee and Edward Casmere. The duo will lead the office’s Litigation and Disputes team, focusing on a mix of product liability, consumer disputes, environmental issues, and mass tort litigation.
Previously part of the founding team at Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, another litigation-focused Chicago firm, Lee and Casmere bring with them a wealth of experience. Over their careers, they have managed complex legal challenges across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and chemical exposure, helping clients navigate through critical “bet-the-company” litigations.
With a combined litigation experience spanning over two decades, Lee and Casmere have developed robust expertise in handling diverse and intricate legal disputes. Their backgrounds include notable work in environmental law, intellectual property, labor relations, consumer fraud, and class actions, among other areas. Both lawyers have also earned recognition for their work, being named Notable Gen X Leaders in Law by Crains Chicago Business.
Jeff Cody, US Managing Partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, expressed optimism about the growth opportunities in the Chicago legal market and emphasized the strategic expansion in the Midwest. This move aligns with the firm’s broader growth objectives, aiming to enhance its service capabilities across key geographic and practice areas.
Steve Jansma, the firm’s US Head of Litigation and Disputes, praised the capabilities of the new partners. “Joshua Lee and Edward Casmere are exceptional trial lawyers whose track records in handling significant and complex cases speak volumes. Their leadership will be instrumental as our Chicago team continues to expand,” Jansma commented.
Lee, recognized in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in mass tort litigation and class action defense, highlighted the strategic advantage of joining Norton Rose Fulbright. He noted the firm’s global presence and comprehensive expertise as critical assets that will benefit his clients, particularly in navigating the increasingly complex regulatory landscape that has led to a surge in product liability lawsuits.
Casmere, also honored in the 2024 The Best Lawyers in America for his work in mass tort and product liability litigation and named in Crain’s Chicago Business’ list of Chicago’s Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys in 2023, echoed Lee’s sentiments. “The firm’s standing as a leader in litigation and dispute resolution globally makes it an ideal platform for my growing practice,” he said, looking forward to collaborating with his new colleagues globally.
Lee holds bar admissions in multiple states including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. He is a University of Michigan Law School graduate and received his undergraduate degree from Valparaiso University. Casmere, licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and New York, obtained his law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and his bachelor’s from Illinois State University. He has also completed the Harvard Negotiation Master Class at Harvard Law School.
This expansion not only strengthens Norton Rose Fulbright’s capabilities in handling sophisticated litigation issues but also solidifies its position in a competitive legal market, poised to address the evolving demands of an increasingly complex legal landscape.
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