Department profile
Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Product Liability & Mass Torts

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

Hughes Hubbard's Product Liability and Mass Tort group is widely recognized by leading legal publications, jurists, clients and the products bar at large as a "go to" defense team. With a large number of experienced product liability litigators and trial lawyers, including 10 partners who practice nearly exclusively in this area, as well as partners and litigation analysts with advanced degrees in engineering, medicine, nursing, and chemistry, our group is one of deepest and widest in the profession. 

We have a long history of defending the largest and most complex products cases—Vioxx, Tobacco, Talc, opioids, PFAS, PCBs, DES, and Gardasil, to name a few. We also provide guidance to companies to help them stay out of future litigation. We have served as national coordinating counsel, trial counsel, and heads of nationwide science, expert, law, and discovery teams. In addition to our work as trial counsel, we have represented companies in congressional investigations, federal prosecutions, attorney general actions, and other agency proceedings. We represent life science defendants in litigations around the world, partnering with top tier local firms to achieve excellent results for our clients. We have been on the ground, at trial and working with witnesses and local counsel in dozens of countries on six continents.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Product Liability & Mass Torts - USA - Nationwide


What the Team is Known For

Hughes Hubbard & Reed is a highly regarded group with substantial experience in product liability defense and a notable focus on the pharmaceutical and tobacco sectors. The team is highlighted for its in-depth guidance on litigation strategy as well as its longstanding relationships with major clients. The firm has a strong national and international presence, allowing it to act on mass tort cases with a global reach. The lawyers also have extensive experience acting as lead litigation counsel in product liability trials.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Hughes Hubbard & Reed continues to represent Vibrantz Corporation against allegations of dioxane contamination of drinking water.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The team is distinguished by its high degree of specialization, excellent client service and extremely responsive attorneys.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • The firm’s ability to integrate legal, scientific and procedural aspects across jurisdictions is key to its success.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • Hughes Hubbard & Reed attorneys are phenomenal at what they do. They are subject matter experts.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • The attorneys at Hughes Hubbard & Reed have excellent depth of experience.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • Hughes Hubbard & Reed has a deep knowledge of its clients' business, people and strategic goals.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleTheodore VH Mayer
    Senior StatespeopleTheodore VH Mayer

    Theodore VH Mayer

    Theodore Mayer acts for clients defending against medical and pharmaceutical MDLs. He is particularly active in disputes involving pharmaceuticals, vaccines and blood products.

  • Band 3Charles W Cohen
    Band 3Charles W Cohen

    Charles W Cohen

    Charles Cohen has a strong reputation in life sciences product liability, with experience representing domestic and international clients in pharmaceutical cases and toxic torts.
    • Charles is a brilliant lawyer and a trusted adviser to his clients.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
    • Charles Cohen stands out as an exceptional litigator and trusted adviser. He combines deep legal knowledge with creativity and strategic insight.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • Band 3James C Fitzpatrick
    Band 3James C Fitzpatrick

    James C Fitzpatrick

    James Fitzpatrick frequently defends pharmaceutical clients against high-profile MDLs on a national and international scale. He is especially well-versed in defending litigation involving vaccines.

    • James has unique ability to form relationships of trust with experts.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
    • James Fitzpatrick is an outstanding lawyer with deep expertise in pharmaceutical and scientific matters. He brings a rare combination of technical understanding and strategic legal thinking.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
    • James is extremely knowledgeable on the science within product liability litigation. He is also a tremendous resource when it comes to handling local or international expert witnesses.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
    • James stands out with his deep knowledge of the scientific and regulatory issues raised by a case.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA
  • Band 5William J. Beausoleil
    Band 5William J. Beausoleil

    William J. Beausoleil

    William Beausoleil is relied upon for his strategic advice in relation to complex mass torts and pharmaceutical MDLs.
    • William is an excellent lawyer. He is a real problem-solver and a very good writer.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP (4)

USA - Nationwide

Members

Provided by Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP

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