Products Liability & Environmental Litigation

Extensive trial experience and true diversity set apart our Products Liability & Environmental Exposure Litigation practice.

Whether working with in-house counsel, insurers or as national coordinating defense counsel, our attorneys have a long record of success in novel, jury and bench trial settings. We represent clients in high-stakes litigation, aggressively defending claims, counseling clients on risk management techniques and providing regulatory representation. Five trial lawyers in our core group are recognized among "The Best Lawyers in America," and many have achieved recognition as Maryland "Super Lawyers" for their skill in defending products liability, toxic tort, environmental contamination and medical device claims. Reflecting their recognized talents, this team includes a former Baltimore City Solicitor, the first African-American President of the Maryland State Bar Association, a past President of Maryland Defense Counsel, and the firm's former Managing Partner.

Our track record in shaping the legal terrain of products and toxics litigation in the trial courts, in appellate decisions and in the legislature, is well known. We have served as lead trial counsel in two of the nation's largest consolidated mass tort trials. In a series of appellate decisions, our attorneys shaped Maryland's products liability law, most notably convincing the state's highest court to adopt one of the most stringent standards for punitive damages in the country. As a result of our efforts, punitive damages are practically unheard of in toxic tort litigation in Maryland.  Our trial lawyers have represented numerous potentially responsible parties in CERCLA, mass tort and various environmental claims, securing vindication through summary judgment, successful Daubert challenges and claims of opposing experts, and trial verdicts.

Our proven experience in personal injury and property damage claims related to products and toxins extends beyond the courtroom. When in our clients' best interests, we pursue dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration. We also provide counsel on product-related bankruptcies, insurance coverage, risk-sharing through contracts, indemnity and contribution, claim management and product safety representation, and legislative issues affecting tort and liability laws.

The breadth of our industry experience includes matters involving:

• Asbestos
• Automotive Components
• Benzene
• Chlorinated Solvents
• Ergonomics
• Formaldehyde
• Industrial Equipment
• Lead Paint
• Manganese
• Medical Devices
• Mining Equipment
• Mold
• MTBE and Petroleum Products
• Nutriceuticals
• Recreational Products
• Repetitive Stress and Cumulative Injury
• Silica
• Tetraethyl Lead
• Tobacco
• Tools
• Ventilation & Dust Collection Systems
• Vinyl Chloride