Polsinelli’s Products Liability, Toxic Tort & Mass Tort litigators defend corporate defendants in complex, high-exposure litigation that can substantially impact enterprise value, brand reputation and the relevant body of caselaw impacting future litigation. We represent manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and premises owners nationwide in matters involving alleged product defects, catastrophic injury, and toxic exposure.
Our lawyers bring a disciplined focus on business objectives, delivering litigation strategies designed to manage risk, control cost, avoid surprises, and protect long-term commercial interests. Our practice is nationally recognized by Chambers USA and the BTI Litigation Outlook Guide.
National Coordinating Counsel & California Counsel Experience
Polsinelli has a proven track record serving as National Coordinating Counsel, California Counsel, and Midwest Counsel for large, sophisticated clients facing multi-jurisdictional products liability, toxic tort, and mass tort litigation.
In these leadership roles, we develop and implement cutting edge defense strategies, coordinate local and regional counsel, manage discovery and expert strategy at scale, and align litigation decisions with regulatory and business considerations. Our California experience is particularly critical given the state’s complex statutory framework and plaintiff-friendly litigation environment.
Early Case Assessment & Strategic Risk Management
Our team engages early in the lifecycle of a case to assess exposure, identify key scientific and technical issues, and shape defensible litigation strategies from the outset. We work closely with our clients’ legal, business, technical, scientific, and regulatory teams to ensure strategies reflect operational realities.
Our experience includes defending claims involving:
- Defective design and manufacturing
- Failure to warn
- Premises liability
- Catastrophic personal injury
- Toxic exposure and environmental claims
- Coordinated mass torts and multidistrict litigation (MDL)
Trial-Ready Defense Nationwide
Polsinelli’s trial lawyers are experienced in taking cases to verdict in state and federal courts across the United States. Our litigators are supported by dedicated electronic discovery (e-discovery) attorneys and litigation professionals who manage large-scale, data-intensive discovery efficiently and defensibly.
Our trial teams work seamlessly with Polsinelli’s certified appellate specialist talent, allowing appellate issues to be identified early and preserved throughout trial. This integrated approach positions our clients for success at every stage of litigation.
Industry-Focused Representation for Corporate Defendants
Drawing on Polsinelli’s national platform, our Products Liability & Toxic & Mass Tort attorneys collaborate with lawyers across regulatory, environmental, life sciences, and compliance disciplines to deliver a comprehensive defense.
We represent publicly traded multinational corporations and privately held companies across a wide range of industries, including:
- Chemicals
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medical devices
- Construction
- Industrial equipment
- Electronics
- Asbestos and Talc
- Cosmetics
- Food and consumer products
Strategic Advantage in Mass Tort Litigation
Our extensive and often repeated experience litigating against lead plaintiffs’ counsel provides insight into opposing strategies and emerging mass tort trends. We anticipate arguments early, streamline defense approaches, and craft strategies informed by firsthand knowledge of how these cases evolve. We are recognized leaders in the defense bar and understand the need to coalesce the defense around a joint and cohesive strategy to successfully defend these cases.
We are known for our ability to translate complex scientific, technical, and regulatory issues into clear, persuasive narratives for judges and juries, which is a critical advantage in products liability and toxic tort matters.
Efficient Resolution with Business Sensitivity
While always prepared to try cases, we regularly evaluate alternative and creative dispute resolution options to align with our clients’ broader business objectives. We invest time in understanding the products we defend — including their design, development, testing, and regulatory history — as well as the people and companies behind them.
Key Contacts
National Recognition
