Best Illinois Product Liability Litigation - Defendants Lawyers

Leslie Smith is a litigation partner and was a long-time member of the Firm’s Global Management Committee. She concentrates her practice in the areas of antitrust, class action, and consumer fraud litigation. The Legal 500 stated that Leslie has a ‘good strategic approach’, ‘demonstrates personal commitment to the company’s cause’ and ‘acquires and deploys the best firm talent appropriately’. Leslie is highlighted as “2017 Life Science Sta...

Matthew J. Fischer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Matthew J. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew J. Fischer since 2012. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Matthew J. Fischer is held...

Benjamin W. Powell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Benjamin W. practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Benjamin W. Powell since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Benjamin W. Powell is held by ...

Francis A. Citera is Co-Chair of the firm's Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Group and Co-Chair of the Chicago Litigation Practice. Frank has 30 years of experience defending purported class actions, toxic tort actions, and other complex litigation in both federal and state courts. He has tried many cases, including an action by the Government to enforce a unilateral administrative order, an allocation case among potentially responsible parties, and a complex product liability, ...

Beth A. Bauer is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Beth A. practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized Beth A. Bauer since 2023. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Beth A. Bauer is held by other law...

W. Jason Rankin is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. W. Jason practices law in Edwardsville, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized W. Jason Rankin since 2016. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which W. Jason Rankin is held by other lawyers.

Brian gets things done: a nationally ranked lawyer with engineering and business expertise who’s just as comfortable trying cases in the courtroom as he is creating solutions at the negotiation table. As a trusted advisor and first-chair trial lawyer, Brian has represented clients through every stage of litigation on both sides of the “v” from pre-suit negotiations through trials and verdicts to appeals and judgment enforcement. Earlier in his career, Brian finished graduate...

James D. Sloan is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James D. practices law in Chicago, Illinois Best Lawyers has recognized James D. Sloan since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which James D. Sloan is held by other lawyers.

Bob Riley is a trial lawyer. He has tried a broad array of complex, high-stakes cases and has argued appeals in state and federal courts across the country. His practice focuses on product liability, mass torts, and environmental cases; class actions; and general commercial litigation. Bob’s appellate work has given rise to over forty reported decisions concerning trial consolidations, punitive damages, civil conspiracy, class certification, and constitutional interpretation. He litigat...

Known both as a gifted leader and a consummate team player, Joe Cancila is a highly regarded, experienced, and tenacious litigator who has dedicated his career to defending clients in complex commercial class actions. He is a creative strategist, thorough investigator, and effective communicator—all qualities that make him a worthy adversary in and out of the courtroom. And as the leader of many practice teams, he has mastered the art of working collaboratively with co-counsel to best a...