Our attorneys know how products are engineered and how marketing of those products takes place. In developing a close working relationship with each of our clients, our attorneys are able to establish a deeper understanding of the clients business. Simply put, that which we do not know we will learn quickly and efficiently.
Today's product litigation environment requires a broad variety of services to achieve the goals of our clients. This may be as direct as handling a single case pending in Michigan to the national coordination of discovery, development of national trial teams, identification and development of experts in a number of disciplines, coordination of unique alternative dispute systems, focus group coordination as well as a number of other creative approaches. We act as national coordinating counsel for major manufactures in medical device litigation, toxic torts and asbestos. We act as national trial counsel for several manufactures of industrial equipment as well as others. This level of service also requires us to be on the cutting edge of technology including, but not limited to, the logistics required in document intensive cases and the development and support of computer generated demonstrative aids currently used in courtrooms across the nation.
While we are proud of our accomplishments in trial, several of our attorneys are also members of prestigious professional organizations such as the American College of Trial Lawyers, American Board of Trial Advocates, International Association of Defense Counsel, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel and the Product Liability Advisory Council, and have been invited faculty members at IADC's Trial Academy and the ABA TIPS Trial Academy, we nonetheless recognize that on occasion a clients needs are best served by resolution through other means. We bring a creative approach to alternative dispute resolution vehicles. We have experience with summary jury trials, mediations, facilitation, case evaluation, formal and informal arbitrations among other techniques. Our attorneys have specialized training in all of these techniques.
When trial is required, we are well recognized for its experience and innovation. We have experience in participating and coordination of jury research such as focus groups, mock trials as well as other means of identifying and narrowing approaches for trial when the situation calls for such resources.
For example, our firm was recently called upon to defend a foreign manufacturer of a consumer product that was alleged to have caused a residential fire that resulted in the unfortunate death of three individuals. Several types of surveys and focus groups were used to narrow the approach to be taken at trial, and the matter resulted in the client being found not liable, and no damages were awarded.
We have had the opportunity to work with corporations and companies of all sizes and on projects of several types including by way of example manufactures involved in the following:
- Automobiles
- Trucks
- Motorcycles
- Aircraft
- Industrial Equipment
- Construction Equipment
- Material Handling Equipment
- Consumer Products
- Chemical solvents and plastics
- Medical Devices
- Tobacco products
- Food products
- Warranty Litigation
We also provide clients with assistance in the area of product liability prevention. This can include working with clients on recall and/or retrofit campaigns, warning labels, operators manuals, disclaimers, indemnity agreements, insurance coverage issues to name a few. Additionally Clark Hill attorneys stand ready to assist its clients when a crisis situation arises involving a product they design, manufacture or distribute. It is then that our innovation, work ethic, creativity and knowledge of the law can assist in building a management strategy based on sound legal principals.