Chicago, IL – Norton Rose Fulbright, a global law firm, has welcomed renowned litigators Joshua Lee and Edward Casmere to its Chicago office as partners. The duo will serve as the Co-Heads of Litigation and Disputes, specializing in product liability, consumer disputes, environmental law, and mass tort litigation.
Lee and Casmere join Norton Rose Fulbright from Riley Safer Holmes & Cancila, a litigation firm based in Chicago that they helped establish. They bring with them years of experience advising clients on high-stakes, business-critical matters, including regulatory affairs, complex deal negotiations, and strategic planning. With their extensive expertise in product liability and mass tort cases, they have successfully defended clients across various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, and chemical exposure.
Both Lee and Casmere have a longstanding professional partnership of over 20 years, during which they have litigated complex disputes encompassing a wide range of areas, including environmental affairs, intellectual property, employment and labor, consumer fraud, and constitutional law. Their dedication and skill have earned them recognition as Notable Gen X Leaders in Law by Crains Chicago Business.
Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Managing Partner, expressed the firm’s commitment to expanding its presence in the thriving Chicago legal market and throughout the Midwest, as part of its overall growth strategy.
Steve Jansma, Norton Rose Fulbright’s US Head of Litigation and Disputes, acknowledged the exceptional expertise and trial skills of Lee and Casmere. He expressed his excitement about their leadership in the Chicago disputes team, praising the significant growth of the firm in the city over the past two years.
Lee, who was acknowledged by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in mass tort litigation and class action defense, noted that clients are increasingly reliant on outside counsel to navigate the heightened regulatory scrutiny leading to more product liability lawsuits. He highlighted Norton Rose Fulbright’s global reputation as a leader in this field as a key factor in his decision to join the firm. He also emphasized the firm’s extensive network of talented lawyers across industries, which will greatly benefit the clients he serves.
Casmere, recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for his work in mass tort and product liability litigation, expressed his enthusiasm for joining Norton Rose Fulbright, a global leader in litigation and dispute resolution. He looks forward to collaborating with his disputes colleagues in Chicago and around the world to tackle the most challenging legal issues faced by clients.
Lee is licensed in California, Illinois, Michigan, New York, and Wisconsin and holds a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a bachelor’s degree from Valparaiso University. Casmere is licensed in Illinois, Missouri, and New York. He obtained his law degree magna cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State University. He has also completed the prestigious Harvard Negotiation Master Class at Harvard Law School.
Norton Rose Fulbright continues to expand its team of talented lawyers in Chicago, leveraging the opportunities presented by the vibrant legal market in the city. With the addition of Lee and Casmere, the firm is well-positioned to further strengthen its litigation and dispute resolution capabilities.