Department profile
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide


Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP & Affiliates

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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

Provided by Chambers

Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite - USA - Nationwide

Band 2

Band 2


What the Team is Known For
Skadden is highlighted for its strength in class action and appellate work, most significantly in the construction, automotive and healthcare sectors. It maintains a strong presence in the drug and device space, achieving significant victories in this field. The team is recognized for its high-level strategic guidance to clients facing multidistrict litigation, regularly serving as lead coordinating and strategic counsel in high-level proceedings. It also advocates for legal reform on behalf of corporate clients.

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 respondentUSA
  • Skadden is one of those firms that has someone for everyone.

    Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleJohn H Beisner
    Senior StatespeopleJohn H Beisner

    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 respondentUSA
    • John H Beisner is a terrific lawyer.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • John Beisner is a phenomenal lawyer.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • John Beisner is a great thought leader in product liability work.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
  • Band 4Brian O'Donoghue
    Band 4Brian O'Donoghue

    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 respondentUSA
    • Brian is terrific. He has handled a huge calendar of mass tort matters.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • Brian works tirelessly to achieve the best result for clients.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • Brian is brilliant. He is an outstanding attorney and a wonderful partner.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • As an attorney, Brian O'Donoghue is a three-dimensional chess player.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
  • Band 4Richard T. Bernardo
    Band 4Richard T. Bernardo

    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 5Manuel F Cachán
    Band 5Manuel F Cachán

    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 6Milli Kanani Hansen
    Band 6Milli Kanani Hansen

    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 respondentUSA
    • Milli is truly smart and just a great lawyer.

      Product Liability & Mass Torts: The Elite respondentUSA
    • Milli 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)

USA - Nationwide

Members

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