
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite
USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates
The Mass Torts and Product Liability Group at Skadden has been involved in many of the most significant complex tort, product liability and multidistrict litigations of the last 30 years, including numerous “bet-the-company” matters. The group pioneered the “national counsel” model of handling mass tort litigation and has strong relationships with local defense lawyers in virtually every state. Attorneys in our ranks have handled some of the most noteworthy cases nationwide for clients such as Alaska Airlines, Bayer, DePuy Synthes, Endo Pharmaceuticals, Ethicon, Hyundai, Intuitive Surgical, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Johnson & Johnson, Kia, Lincoln Electric, Merck, Monsanto, National Football League, National Hockey League, Pfizer, Snap, Toyota and Zhejiang Huahai Pharmaceuticals. Whether serving as national coordinating counsel, lead trial counsel, resolution counsel or appellate counsel, we deliver results at every phase of mass tort and product liability litigation.
Chambers Review
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Skadden represented consumer food manufacturer Hero AG and its subsidiary Beech-Nut in securing the dismissal of a product liability suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Skadden attorneys are both highly experienced and very organized.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSASkadden is one of those firms that has someone for everyone.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
John H Beisner
John Beisner is considered to be one of the country's premier product liability and consumer class action attorneys, with the ability to handle complex MDLs and appellate litigation. He has conducted a number of ground-breaking cases ranging from toxic torts and personal injury claims through to medical devices.
John Beisner maintains a super reputation in the product liability space.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAJohn H Beisner is a terrific lawyer.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAJohn Beisner is a phenomenal lawyer.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAJohn Beisner is a great thought leader in product liability work.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Brian O'Donoghue
Brian O'Donoghue advises clients on a broad range of product liability litigation and has significant experience handling claims on behalf of large corporations. Brian is strategic, and one could not ask for a better leader and motivator.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSABrian is terrific. He has handled a huge calendar of mass tort matters.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSABrian works tirelessly to achieve the best result for clients.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSABrian is brilliant. He is an outstanding attorney and a wonderful partner.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAAs an attorney, Brian O'Donoghue is a three-dimensional chess player.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Richard T. Bernardo
Richard Bernardo maintains an exceptional litigation practice, with recognized expertise in mass tort cases in a variety of sectors. Richard is so experienced and is always there, ready to resolve problems.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 5 
Band 5 
Manuel F Cachán
Manuel Cachán is an accomplished trial lawyer who has acted for major clients on pharmaceutical and toxic tort cases. Manuel Cachan is a prominent player in the product liability space.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 6 
Band 6 
Milli Kanani Hansen
Milli Kanani Hansen has a growing practice representing a variety of manufacturers in complex product liability litigation.
Milli is excellent at coordinating with co-counsel, dealing with opposing counsel and providing client service.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAMilli is truly smart and just a great lawyer.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSAMilli is very experienced, responsive, and diligent in her approach.
Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
Ranked Individuals at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates (5)
Members
Provided by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Milli Kanani Hansen
View profile of Milli Kanani Hansen
Richard T. Bernardo
View profile of Richard T. Bernardo
John H Beisner
View profile of John H Beisner
Manuel F Cachán
View profile of Manuel F Cachán
Brian O'Donoghue
View profile of Brian O'Donoghue
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