Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a well-known name in product liability and mass tort litigation, frequently working on high-stakes, bet-the-company disputes. The group operates primarily out of its Chicago and Washington DC offices, and has in-depth expertise in multidistrict litigation, class actions, defect investigations, appeals, and environmental cases. Notable recent matters for the firm include representing General Motors in multidistrict litigation arising from the Takata airbag inflator recall, achieving a major summary judgment that eliminated most of the claims against GM. The firm also represents GATX Corporation in litigation stemming from the East Palestine train derailment. Chicago based Renee Smith, a litigator known for her strategic acumen, has defended clients in some of the most complex class actions, multidistrict litigations, and product liability cases nationwide. Also based in Chicago, Hariklia Karis brings great experience in high-stakes product liability and mass tort cases, obtaining precedent-setting results for pharmaceutical companies. Working out of the Washington DC office, Mike Brock is an experienced trial lawyer with a strong record in high-stakes litigation, focusing on product liability and mass tort cases for pharma and life sciences companies.