Buchalter’s Products Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group defends clients across the full lifecycle of product-related risk—from litigation prevention and regulatory advice to pre-litigation management, trial, and appeals. Our firmwide team is well-versed in the most contested issues in products liability law and defends a wide range of products and materials, with particular depth in chemical law, including PFAS, Proposition 65, and other restricted and regulated substances.
Recognized by Chambers USA as “Highly Regarded” in Product Liability & Mass Torts, the group counsels a diverse roster of clients—major international retailers, manufacturers, importers, and distributors—across a wide range of industries on matters including harmful exposure allegations, purported defects, false labeling claims, and silica defense. Chambers is an independent organization that ranks lawyers and law firms based on client interviews, peer feedback, and market reputation.
What Our Clients Say
Clients consistently describe Buchalter’s Products Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group as “distinguished by its top-notch legal acumen and thoughtful, in-depth analysis,” praising the team’s “depth of knowledge, professionalism, judgment and responsiveness.” They call the firm “professional, knowledgeable and confident in its approach,” noting Buchalter “provides excellent response times and clear direction on how to manage legal issues,” and highlighting the team’s “close level of support, excellent advice and motivation to defend its clients.”
Clients further describe our attorneys as “strategic, thoughtful, and detail-oriented,” praising the team’s “depth and breadth of expertise,” “clear communication, accountability, and strong sense of ownership,” and “methodical and solution-oriented mindset.” They highlight our “technical knowledge and practical experience,” commercial awareness, and adaptability—rated “a ten out of ten.” As one client put it, “Buchalter is extremely responsive. I never have to follow up for a request or matter update.” Others point to “their ability to deliver to budget and provide overall value for money.”
Positioning Clients Ahead of New Risks
Countering the ever-broadening tactics of the plaintiffs’ bar, our deep bench anticipates risks and protects clients’ reputations, trade secrets, and confidential information—integrating business goals into every defense strategy. When litigation is unavoidable, we work to advance case law favorable to our clients and have achieved strong results even in the country’s most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions, including in catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters.
Buchalter attorneys are readily available whenever needed—at the immediate aftermath of an incident when evidence preservation is critical, or at the outset of product manufacture—working as a single integrated unit.
Litigation and Trial Defense
Our attorneys have served in every role in sophisticated products liability litigation: trial lead, co-counsel, coordinating counsel, and local counsel. We have extensive experience as national, regional, liaison, and coordinating counsel in MDLs, Coordinated State Proceedings, mass torts, and class actions. Our trial strategy begins at the outset of every matter, informed by deep knowledge of our clients and institutional knowledge of the products at issue.
Our attorneys’ diverse educational backgrounds in technical fields, combined with established relationships with experts across virtually every relevant discipline, allow us to master the underlying science and engineering—and, in turn, the litigation itself. We are known for advantageous positioning in discovery, motion practice, witness and expert management, and an enviable record of summary judgment victories and defense verdicts.
Mass Torts, Including Silica and Asbestos
Buchalter has substantial experience defending clients in complex mass tort and coordinated proceedings, including silica, asbestos, talc, and other toxic exposure litigation. Our attorneys have served as national, regional, liaison, and coordinating counsel in MDLs and Coordinated State Proceedings, managing high-volume dockets across multiple jurisdictions.
We defend manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors against allegations of occupational and consumer exposure, drawing on deep familiarity with the underlying science, epidemiology, and industrial history relevant to these claims. Our team is skilled at coordinating expert testimony, managing corporate representative depositions, and executing dispositive motion strategies that have secured numerous summary judgment victories and defense verdicts—often in the most challenging plaintiff-friendly venues.
Whether the matter involves a single-plaintiff case or a coordinated docket of hundreds of claims, we deliver consistent, cost-effective defense strategies aligned with our clients’ broader business and reputational interests.
Chemical Law, Regulatory Compliance, and Pre-Litigation Counsel
We draw on decades of litigation success and productive relationships with regulatory agencies to counsel clients before the FDA, CPSC, DTSC, and other state and federal regulators on internal investigations, recalls, and compliance issues. Our chemical law expertise spans PFAS, heavy metals, pesticides, and other restricted and regulated substances, and we have extensive experience managing California Proposition 65 compliance and defending private enforcement actions.
Our pre-litigation counsel addresses supply chain issues, warranty reviews, releases and waivers, warnings and labels, user manuals, and other regulatory obligations. When crises arise, we work closely with company leadership to contain risk and implement a powerful, early defense.
National Leaders in Products Liability Law
Buchalter attorneys are active in leading industry organizations, including the Product Liability Advisory Council (PLAC), the International Association of Defense Counsel, Defense Research Institute, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, Federal Bar Association, Association of Business Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, and American Board of Trial Advocates. Several attorneys are recognized by Best Lawyers in America (including as Lawyers of the Year in product liability litigation) and by Benchmark Litigation as Top Stars.
Our attorneys regularly publish and present at major conferences on topics including:
- Talc and asbestos litigation
- Silica defense and coordinated proceedings
- Expert testimony and preparation in products matters
- Automotive claims and expert coordination
- PFAS, chemical regulations, and Prop 65
- Sporting goods and manufacturing issues
- Case-specific legal updates
Extensive Industry Experience
We represent Fortune 500 and mid-market clients across industries including:
- Asbestos
- Agricultural machinery and equipment
- Apparel, textiles, jewelry, and accessories
- Arborists
- Asbestos, toxic mass torts, and talc coordinated litigation
- Automotive, including autonomous vehicles and emerging technologies
- Aviation components and drones
- California Proposition 65
- Cannabis
- Chemicals (restricted and regulated), pesticides, PFAS, and other toxic torts
- Children’s products, toys, care devices, and clothing
- Consumer appliances and packaged goods
- Cosmetics, health and wellness, and dietary supplements
- Electrical distribution and generation equipment
- Environmental contaminants and exposure
- Food and hospitality
- Heavy construction and earthmoving equipment
- Medical devices and pharmaceuticals
- Silica
- Sporting goods, fitness equipment, and recreational/outdoor products
- Vertical conveyance and pedestrian mobility products
