Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
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State
Robert Thackston is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Robert practices law in Dallas, Texas Best Lawyers has recognized Robert Thackston since 2020. 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 Robert Thackston is held by other lawy...
Cari Dawson is a creative problem solver, legal strategist and committed advocate. She chairs the Class Action Practice Team and has an established track record of successfully defending Fortune 500 companies as lead counsel in high-profile litigation nationwide. Cari has defended hundreds of class actions across an array of industries and regularly assists clients in commercial litigation, strategic counseling and crisis management. In 2015, Cari was named one of the country’s “M...
Fred Burnside concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation, with particular emphasis on consumer class action defense. He is co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s class action defense group. Fred has counseled and represented numerous clients in class action lawsuits across the country, including Amazon.com, AOL, AT&T, eBay, eNom, Microsoft Corp., Providence Hospital Systems, Scholastic Inc., Shell Oil, Skype Inc., Starbucks, T-Mobile USA, The University of California, Verizo...
Larry D. Ottaway is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Larry D. practices law in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Best Lawyers has recognized Larry D. Ottaway since 2015. The Best Lawyers recog...
William Gage is “a great trial lawyer who is very good at managing complex litigations in multiple districts. That is his specialty.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2024, where William is ranked nationally for Product Liability & Mass Torts). He is “renowned for acting as lead counsel for major pharmaceutical companies in large MDLs, drawing particular praise for his achievements in pelvic mesh litigation.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2023) William is “vastly experien...
Barbara Arras represents defendants in toxic tort litigation primarily involving pulmonary diseases allegedly caused by asbestos and other pulmonary irritants and hematopoietic diseases allegedly caused by benzene. She is responsible for the medical defense in each case. Specifically, she analyzes the facts to formulate a theory of defense and identifies the correct scientific discipline needed to advance that theory. She then identifies and retains the best expert in that discipline from her...
Chuck Seyfarth is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who helps companies navigate their most significant litigation challenges. He is known as a talented strategist, able to tackle complicated disputes, with a keen ability to align legal strategy with business objectives. Clients rely on Chuck for his expertise in defending high-stakes litigation that threatens the core of their operations, brand, and objectives. He has particular experience handling cases in the Eastern District of Virgini...
William F. Hargens is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Intellectual Property, Litigation - Mergers and Acquisitions, Litigation - Securities, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. William F. practices law in Omaha, Nebraska Best Lawy...
Kelly Strange Crawford is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Kelly Strange practices law in Madison, New Jersey Best Lawyers has recognized Kelly Strange Crawford since 2013. 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 Kelly Strange...
Mr. Lee is Chair of the firm's Commercial Litigation Practice Group. For the last 15 years, his practice has included a concentration in insurance and insurance class action lawsuits. He has experience in handling coverage issues, bad faith claims, mold claims, regulatory issues and class action claims with a myriad of substantial issues. Mr. Lee joined Stone Pigman, and was admitted to the Louisiana Bar, in 1974.
Michael C. Zogby is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Environmental and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Michael C. practices law in Morristown, New Jersey Best Lawyers has recognized Michael C. Zogby 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 Michael C. Zogby is held by other lawyers.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
