CHICAGO — Norton Rose Fulbright, a prominent global law firm, has expanded its Chicago office with the addition of two nationally renowned litigators, Joshua Lee and Edward Casmere. The pair will lead the office as Co-Heads of Litigation and Disputes, specializing in product liability, consumer disputes, and complex environmental and mass tort litigation.
Lee and Casmere, who previously helped establish the Chicago-based litigation firm Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, bring a wealth of experience in managing high-stakes, ‘bet-the-company’ cases. Their expertise spans across numerous legal domains, including intellectual property, employment, labor law, and cryptocurrency, aside from their primary focus on environmental and product liability fields.
The two lawyers have collaborated for over 20 years, successfully navigating clients through diverse legal challenges from catastrophic injuries to wrongful deaths and toxic tort cases. Their extensive litigation experience has earned them recognition as Notable Gen X Leaders in Law by Crain’s Chicago Business, highlighting their prominent roles in the legal community.
Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Managing Partner, emphasized the strategic expansion in Chicago, acknowledging the vibrant legal market ripe with opportunities. This growth initiative aligns with the firm’s broader expansion efforts across the Midwest.
Steve Jansma, the firm’s US Head of Litigation and Disputes, praised the capabilities of Josh and Ed, noting their impressive track record in handling complex legal battles and their ability to secure favorable outcomes for clients. Jansma expressed excitement about their leadership of the disputes team, which has seen substantial growth over the past two years.
Joshua Lee, recognized in 2024 by The Best Lawyers in America for his defense work in mass tort litigation and class actions, stressed the importance of external counsel in assisting companies to navigate increasing regulatory scrutiny and the rise in product liability lawsuits. He remarked on the alignment of his client-service approach with Norton Rose Fulbright’s global reach and comprehensive legal expertise.
Edward Casmere, also listed in The Best Lawyers in America for mass tort and product liability litigation in 2024 and noted among Chicago’s Notable Litigators & Trial Attorneys in 2023, shared his enthusiasm for joining a firm that excels in litigation and dispute resolution. He is eager to collaborate globally with his new colleagues at Norton Rose Fulbright to tackle the most daunting legal challenges.
In terms of qualifications, Lee is licensed to practice law in multiple states including California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin. He is a University of Michigan Law School graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University.
Casmere is licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and New York, holding a law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and a bachelor’s from Illinois State University. He has also completed the Harvard Negotiation Master Class at Harvard Law School.
As Norton Rose Fulbright continues to enhance its team and capabilities, the addition of Joshua Lee and Edward Casmere marks a significant bolstering of their litigation and disputes sector, promising robust legal services to clients across a multitude of industries.
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