Practice Areas
Global Product Liability
Shook, Hardy & Bacon has earned international acclaim as a premier product liability and mass tort litigation defense firm. Cited by BusinessWeek as “...the law firm of choice for many companies plagued by high-stakes and often controversial product-liability woes,” SHB has successfully defended clients for over 50 years in some of the most challenging and contentious legal arenas. In recognition of this expertise, The National Law Journal has singled out the SHB product liability group for its “cutting-edge work on the defense side” that includes litigation related to pharmaceuticals and medical devices; alcohol, tobacco and firearms; automobiles and machinery; aviation; electronics and fire protection equipment; and chemical applications. This wealth of experience has led numerous industry leaders and their subsidiaries to select SHB as national, regional and convergence counsel in critical product liability matters.
The SHB Global Product Liability Group offers clients the complete defense package combining decades of courtroom success with state-of-the-art support services and cost-effective business solutions. Selected in 2009 by Chambers USA as one of the nation’s five “Band One” national products liability firms, SHB has also been named "Global Product Liability Law Firm of the Year" by Who's Who Legal for five consecutive years.
These veteran trial lawyers partner with corporate counsel to ensure ongoing compliance with state and federal regulations, as well as document preservation requirements, in high-volume litigation scenarios. Their trial teams include attorneys well-versed in areas such as expert witness development, class action litigation and attorneys general litigation. Because product liability lawsuits often involve complex questions and demand a high degree of technical savoir-faire, the firm has also invested in an extensive scientific infrastructure based on more than 125 researchers and analysts with advanced degrees. Known for its exceptional courtroom performance, this practice combines both innovative and time-tested techniques designed to reduce case management expenses and streamline the legal process.
The SHB Global Product Liability Group also provides risk assessment and risk avoidance counseling for domestic and international entities. Recognizing that lawsuits can jeopardize a company's reputation and disrupt business operations, SHB attorneys use their knowledge of the relevant federal agencies, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission, to review product warnings, instructions for use, warranties, advertisements, and related written materials. They also compare the client’s programs and practices with industry standards; analyze the case law concerning litigation against similar products; and work with the SHB Public Policy Practice to advocate legislative tort reform and minimize future risks.
Practice Area Contacts
Robert T. Adams
816-559-2230 
Gary R. Long
816-559-2262
Harvey L. Kaplan
816-559-2214
Related Practice Areas
Class Actions & Complex Litigation
eDiscovery, Data & Document Management
Pharmaceutical & Medical Device
Public Policy
Tort
Product Liability Litigation Report
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Attorneys in Global Product Liability
News & Events
- Law and Behrens to Participate at ABA Program on Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation
2/1/2010
- SHB Attorneys Contribute Chapters to Getting the Deal Through - Product Recall 2010
10/16/2009
- Chris Johnson & Makai Fisher to Present International Clinical Trials Webinar
10/15/2009
- Business Journal Recognizes SHB Lawyers as "Best of the Bar"
10/5/2009
- SHB Attorney, Associate General Counsel Publish E-Discovery Vendor Services Article
10/1/2009
- The International Who’s Who of Commercial Litigators Recognizes Harvey Kaplan
9/21/2009
- Court Grants SHB Client Guidant Corp.’s Motion for Non-Suit
9/21/2009
- Mangrum & Anielak to Present at ACI Drug & Medical Device Litigation Conference
9/14/2009
- SHB Secures Defense Verdict for Guidant Corp.
9/10/2009
- AmLaw Daily Highlights Rare Decision to Enforce Foreign Judgment
8/24/2009
- Northern California Super Lawyers Recognizes Kevin Haroff and Frank Kelly
8/21/2009
- Kaplan and Strongman Publish Chapter in The International Comparative Legal Guide
7/2/2009
- Pat Gregory and Doug Robinson Featured in California Lawyer
6/29/2009
- Florida Super Lawyers Recognizes 14 SHB Attorneys
6/15/2009
- Sullivan, Roberts Present at NFPA Conference & Expo
6/10/2009
- Kaplan and Strongman Publish PLC Dispute Resolution Chapter
6/9/2009
- Matt Keenan Authors IADC Article
6/1/2009
- Four SHB Attorneys Recognized as Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America
5/27/2009
- SHB Named Global Product Liability Law Firm of the Year
5/19/2009
- Keenan Publishes Law360 Article on Direct Exams
5/18/2009
- DRI Publication Features Ford Victory Obtained by Pat Gregory and Amir Nassihi
5/4/2009
- SHB Attorneys Publish Article on Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards
4/29/2009
- Kaplan to Participate in Third Annual ACI Drug & Medical Device on Trial Seminar
4/24/2009
- SHB Attorneys Contribute Chapters to Getting the Deal Through - Product Liability 2009
4/10/2009
- SHB Product Liability Litigation Division Welcomes William Gillen Jr.
3/25/2009
- Four SHB Attorneys Recognized by Texas Rising Stars
3/19/2009
- Law360 Article Focuses on Unanimous Defense Verdict in Kia
3/16/2009
- SHB Obtains Unanimous Verdict for Kia
3/10/2009
- SHB Names Nine New Partners in Product Liability, IP and Tort
1/5/2009
- AmLaw Gives SHB Top Product Liability Award
1/2/2008
