America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2010: Products Liability & Mass Torts

Chambers & Partners has compiled its independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide — which is designed to reflect market opinion — contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.

In Chambers' 2010 review of national legal talent in the area of "Products Liability & Mass Torts," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.

Chambers' comments:

Nationwide Ranking: Tier 2

The Firm: This group has a long-standing reputation for success in complex mass tort litigation. While David Bernick's departure to an in-house position at Philip Morris is a loss, it also provides an opportunity for the next generation of stars to rise up. The team maintains its stellar reputation in the tobacco industry and has achieved notable success for Dow Chemical in several toxic tort proceedings.

Sources Say: "This team's results speak for themselves!"

Key Individuals: Stephen Patton is a "truly impressive attorney" with a particular focus on the tobacco industry. He leads the representation of R.J. Reynolds in the extensive Master Settlement Agreement litigation arising out of disputed reductions in annual payments. Leslie Smith is identified as a rising star in pharmaceutical litigation, impressing sources with her representation of Baxter Healthcare.  

Reprinted with permission from Chambers USA, America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2010 — www.chambersandpartners.com.