Product

Trailblazing Attorney Sheila L. Birnbaum: A Vanguard in Product Liability and Complex Litigation

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New York, N.Y. – Sheila L. Birnbaum is a distinguished partner at Dechert, where she co-chairs the firm’s product liability and mass torts practice, specializing in intricate product liability issues, mass torts, and insurance litigation. Before her tenure at Dechert, Birnbaum held notable positions at prominent firms, including co-chair of the global product liability and mass torts practice at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and leading the product liability group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. She also served as counsel while teaching law and acting as associate dean at New York University School … Read more

Veteran Litigator Kurt Weaver Joins Shook, Hardy & Bacon to Strengthen Product Liability Defense Team in Chicago

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CHICAGO — Kurt Weaver, a seasoned litigator known for his extensive experience in product liability and mass tort cases, has joined Shook, Hardy & Bacon as a partner in their Chicago office. With over 30 years in the legal field, Weaver enhances the firm’s capabilities in high-stakes commercial disputes and multidistrict litigations. Weaver has represented clients across multiple sectors, including life sciences, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and retail. Notably, he has secured jury verdicts in 13 complex product liability cases over the last seven years. His expertise extends to serving as lead counsel in significant multidistrict litigations, … Read more

Kirkland & Ellis Expands Footprint with Major 13-Partner Raid from King & Spalding, Eyeing Growth in Mass Torts and Product Liability

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Kirkland, Washington — A notable shift in legal talent has occurred as Kirkland & Ellis welcomes a 13-partner team from King & Spalding, expanding its presence in major U.S. cities, including New York, Texas, and Los Angeles. The move reflects the firm’s strategic intent to enhance its capabilities in mass torts and product liability as demand in these areas continues to rise. The newly added partners are among nearly 30 lawyers transitioning from King & Spalding, a move that underscores Kirkland’s aggressive recruitment strategy. This development follows a significant group hire earlier in the year, … Read more

Johnson & Johnson Shifts Legal Strategy, Heads Back to State Courts Over Talc Product Asbestos Claims

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NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Following three unsuccessful attempts in bankruptcy courts, Johnson & Johnson has announced its intention to revert to state courts to combat ongoing lawsuits that allege its talc-based products, including talcum powder, were contaminated with cancer-causing asbestos. The company, known for its widespread consumer health products, faces thousands of claims from consumers who assert that exposure to its talc products has resulted in serious health issues, including various forms of cancer. These allegations have persisted for years, prompting the company to seek legal protection through bankruptcy proceedings, an approach that has been … Read more