Product Liability & Complex Torts

Product liability and complex tort claims strike at the heart of business and can pose significant threats to a company’s well-earned brand.

ALFA International’s global legal network will work quickly and effectively to prevent potential litigation and minimize damages, or litigate the case based on your goals using trial-proven attorneys.

With law firms across the United States and around the world, our attorneys will consult with you during the product development and marketing planning process to avert potential compliance, regulatory, and other such issues; work with you to facilitate product recalls in multiple countries; defend your company in tort, class action, and multi-jurisdiction litigation; and coordinate communication with regulatory authorities and the media around the globe.

Our attorneys represent companies at every point in the distribution chain. We also have worldwide experience in a range of industries from automobiles to consumer products. In addition, many of the practice group members belong to niche working groups that focus on food, dietary supplements, pharmacy compounding, drugs, devices, cosmetics, as well as industrial equipment and materials, chemicals, storage tanks, breast implants, and building products. We regularly assist clients in their dealings with the CPSC, the FDA, the USDA, and other state and federal agencies.

Areas of Focus

  • General business counseling
  • Litigation
  • Mediation and arbitration
  • Lobbying and legislation
  • Product recalls and hearings
  • Regulatory and licensing
  • Warnings and labels
  • Standards setting
  • Public relations and media management
  • Trade associations

Client Advisory Board (CAB)

The ALFA International Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group is grateful to have the  following clients contribute to our ongoing success by participating in our Client Advisory Board:

  • Nicole Brunson, Associate General Counsel, A.O. Smith Corporation
  • Bill Ellison, Senior Counsel, Litigation, Lowe’s Companies, Inc.
  • John Exner, General Counsel, Seneca Foods
  • Josh Humphries, Senior Counsel, WestRock
  • Bryan Larson, Staff VP – Risk Management, Legget & Platt, Inc.
  • Randy ReavisSenior Products Counsel, Volvo Group North America, LLC
  • Jolene Russell, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
  • Chris Schilder, Chief Legal Counsel, ESG & Innovation, PactivEvergreen
  • Jackie Bryk Welch, Vice President – Litigation, The J.M. Smucker Company

Leadership

Colleen C. Murnane
CHAIR
Cleveland, OH
United States
Email Attorney
Nick E. Wheeler
VICE CHAIR
Portland, OR
United States
Email Attorney
Adam Cooper
2026 PROGRAM CHAIR
Albany, NY
United States
Email Attorney
Jill M. Gerdrum
MARKETING CHAIR
Missoula, MT
United States
Email Attorney
Megan Sterchi Lammert
REGIONAL CHAIR
Kansas City, MO
United States
Email Attorney
David Warnick
WEBINAR CHAIR
Chicago, IL
United States
Email Attorney
Beth S. Rose
CHAIR EMERITUS
Newark, NJ
United States
Email Attorney

Practice Areas

Other Practice Areas

Upcoming Events

No upcoming events for this practice.

Past Events

Sep
25

2024 Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar

The 2024 ALFA International Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar took place on...
May
09

2024 Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group Regional Seminar (Cleveland, OH)

The Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group hosted a regional sem...
Jul
19

2023 Webinar: PFAS — ‘Forever Chemicals’ — Regulatory and Litigation Risks for Product Manufacturers

The Product Liability & Complex Torts Practice Group presented a complimentary webinar...

Publications & News

October
21
2024

Agota Peterfy from Brown & James, P.C. (St. Louis, MO & Belleville, IL) Receives Law Firm Mentor Award

Brown & James principal Agota Peterfy was selected to receive the...
September
25
2024

I Wish The Real World Would Just Stop Hassling Me: Dealing with Regulators

Preventing Investigations—Effective Compliance Programs ...