Products Liability

Elinor Leary is the team leader of the Leary Trial Team which handles complex cases that involve life-altering injuries or death. Elinor has expertise with cases that involve construction and worksite injuries, defective products, dangerous property conditions, negligent security, car and truck collisions, and incidents that involve pedestrians and bicyclists. Elinor has tried cases to verdict as well as reached large settlements in numerous other cases, including cases listed in The Recorder's "Top Settlements" publications. Elinor provides extensive knowledge of the civil justice system and a commitment to helping clients when they face difficult times after a catastrophe. We help clients who have suffered fractures, amputations, head injuries, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and burn injuries. We also help families who have lost loved ones due to the fault of others in wrongful death actions. We have experience helping construction workers, laborers, truck drivers, union members, and other professionals and their families. In addition to handling cases from start to finish, Elinor also serves as trial counsel when colleagues call for last-minute help. Elinor has been a clinical professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law, where she taught advanced law students case investigation, courtroom advocacy, jury selection, and trial skills. Elinor believes in giving back to the community and devotes time to pro bono service for the San Francisco and Bay Area communities. Her pro bono work was previously recognized with nominations for the State Bar of California President's Pro Bono Service Award and Jack Berman Award of Achievement. Elinor enjoys travel and lived for a time in Mexico City. She speaks Spanish fluently. She lives in San Francisco where she enjoys time spent with family and friends, preferably outdoors.

Randall J. Richards is a member of the Management Committee and co-chair of the Personal Injury practice at Wilentz, Goldman, & Spitzer, P.A. He has been a shareholder since 1986 and serves as Vice Chairman to the firm. As a seasoned trial attorney of 40 years, Mr. Richards has achieved verdicts and settlements in personal injury litigation on behalf of thousands of clients who have suffered injuries arising from automobile accidents, construction and other serious accidents, and/or by defective products or injuries resulting from negligence. Mr. Richards has also represented victims’ families in over 100 wrongful death actions, and thus understands the suffering of families who have lost a loved one. Mr. Richards has obtained numerous settlements and verdicts in excess of one million dollars from insurance companies on behalf of his clients. Recognizing that traumatic accident victims may be overwhelmed by emotional issues and significant financial loss arising from costs associated with their injuries such as medical bills, disability, lost wages, and/or property damage, Mr. Richards devotes his practice and Wilentz’s vast resources as one of New Jersey’s largest and long-established personal injury law firms to guide his clients through the legal system to secure the best possible outcome in the face of their injury and the circumstances of each case he accepts. Mr. Richards believes in approaching each personal injury case as if it were going to trial. In this way he can maximize the recovery for each of his clients. A swift settlement best serves the clients’ interests. Recovery is, however, maximized by demonstrating to the insurance company that you are prepared to proceed to trial. Considering that in any injury case the ultimate goal is to maximize recovery, Mr. Richards is adept at discovering the relevant facts through research and preparation, in turn, creating opportunities for significant recovery. Mr. Richards’ practice includes a particular focus on representing victims of traumatic brain injuries. Perhaps the most insidious type of injury, brain trauma affects the victim’s ability to function as a member of society, to earn a living, to enjoy functional relationships with friends and members of his or her own family and satisfy the basic human need to socialize. Damage or injury to the brain changes a patient – not just temporarily, but forever – long after the interest and sympathy of others fade. Often brain injuries are subtle with no outward visible signs that juries can be sympathetic to. It is therefore essential that such victims engage an attorney who understands the mechanism and impact of such injuries. Mr. Richards has earned his reputation as a formidable trial attorney and a trusted brain injury lawyer who has dedicated his entire legal career to advocate for the rights of victims and their families to get the compensation they deserve. Since 2003, Mr. Richards has been consistently selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs. In addition, he has been recognized as a leading Personal Injury attorney by Super Lawyers from 2006 to 2009.

Jeffrey L. Jacobs has practiced law for over 30 years and has the savvy and advocacy skills found only in attorneys of the highest caliber. While he successfully serves represents clients in personal injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, and sexual harassment cases, much of his caseload involves products liability. A hard-working and confident attorney, Mr. Jacobs is not afraid to take on any adversary. He has represented clients from all over the country against large companies such as General Motors, Toyota, Polaris, Peterbilt, and Graco. While Mr. Jacobs may not be popular with his adversaries, his many clients appreciate his analytical talent and his intimate understanding of the law. Mr. Jacobs' career has given him the opportunity to learn both sides of the law, creating a strong advantage for his clients. He worked in products liability for several years, defending corporate clients in pharmaceutical cases. Mr. Jacobs knows that his unique position contributes greatly to his success as a plaintiff's lawyer. And has given him the perspective to anticipate strategies and act accordingly. Mr. Jacobs' clients are always pleased to find that they are one step ahead of the defense. He also has the experience of working as an Associate in a large Kansas City law firm, where he was involved in matters such as litigation, securities, business transactions and environmental work. Mr. Jacobs' environmental work gave him the understanding of government agencies and he still maintains a list of many friends and colleagues in the administrative field. Mr. Jacobs came to California in 1988 to work in the aeronautical industry. In order to work for plaintiffs who need skilled and dynamic attorneys, Mr. Jacobs opened what has now become Jacobs Law Group in 1991. Since then, he has developed a fondness for the Sacramento community and its people. In order to provide the best representation possible, Mr. Jacobs stays in tune with developments in the law through his many professional contacts.

Will Harty is Partner at Harty Jewell, PLLC, where he represents clients in product liability, personal injury, and maritime tort trial litigation, and appellate practice. As a trial attorney, Mr. Harty and his colleagues have won several multi-million dollar product liability verdicts. In his appellate practice, Will has represented clients in complex legal issues before the Virginia Supreme Court, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of the United States. -Regularly consulted and retained by other firms across the nation on maritime issues; -Gives national-level presentations and continuing legal education seminars on maritime law, tort litigation, and trial and appellate strategy; -Member of the Boyd-Graves Conference, an invitation-only conference of Virginia attorneys, judges, and legislators, which studies legal issues and makes recommendations for changes to Virginia law. -Member of the Maritime Law Association of the United States. -Former law clerk for Judge (now Virginia Supreme Court Justice) D. Arthur Kelsey of the Virginia Court of Appeals. -Former U.S. Army Infantry officer and Airborne Ranger, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, and 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Opposition Forces). -Combat Veteran, Operation Just Cause, Panama 1989, and First Gulf War, 1990-1991.

Attorney D. Russell Thomas was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, August 3, 1952. He attended Middle Tennessee State University (B.S., 1970-74). He was a member of Kappa Sigma after his undergraduate degree. He attended Memphis State University Law School for his J.D. degree (1974-77). Mr. Thomas was admitted to the Tennessee bar in 1978, and is admitted to the U.S. District Court in the, Middle and Eastern Districts of Tennessee.D. Russell Thomas was a member of Phi Alpha Delta and a 1985 Graduate of ATLA’s Advanced Civil Litigation Course. Mr. Thomas served on the Board of Governors as the Representative for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association for the 6th District of Tennessee, 1991—2005 and 2016-2018. He is a member of the Rutherford County, Tennessee Bar Association, The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association (Legislative Committee, 2000—2004), Trial Master, and 2005-2006 President of the Andrew Jackson American Inns of Court. He is the author of "Automobile Liability in Tennessee" published in The Tennessee Trial Lawyers Magazine.Mr. Thomas has been a guest lecturer for the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association since 1992; lecturing on selected topics, including worker's compensation, personal injury,(which includes automobile cases, product liability, and premises liability) as well as the effective utilization of the American Medical Association Guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment in workers' compensation, personal injury cases, trial tactics, and civil jury trials.Based on a confidential survey of other attorneys in this area by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, D. Russell Thomas received an AV Rating. The A – is the mark of the highest rating of legal ability. The V – is the mark of the highest standards of legal ethics.According to Martindale-Hubbell, “AV Peer Review Rating" shows that a lawyer has reached the height of professional excellence. He or she has usually practiced law for many years, and is recognized for the highest levels of skill and integrity". He has held this rating for approximately two decades. He is a 2018 graduate of Keenan Trial Institute which is an advanced trial techniques college out of Atlanta, Georgia. He spends many hours in continuing education each year.Mr. Thomas was raised on a dairy/beef farm in Cannon County and was active in the 4-H club with interests in cattle and horses. He kept an ongoing cattle operation until 2010. He played music with rock and blues bands off and on for 25 years. He now lives in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife Jeanmarie. His current office where he has practiced for 20 of the last 43 years is 5 minutes off of the square. The practice is devoted to plaintiff's cases for personal injuries and selected workers' compensation cases.

Jason Kisner is the founder of Kisner Law, a personal injury and workers' compensation firm serving clients in Maryland and Washington, D.C. Raised in a blue-collar family and having worked for a railroad company before becoming an attorney, Jason understands the struggles faced by working people. He brings this perspective into his practice, offering both compassionate guidance and strong advocacy for those recovering from serious injuries. With degrees from Villanova University, West Virginia University, Florida Coastal School of Law, and The George Washington University Law School, Jason has built a career grounded in knowledge and dedication. His early work in insurance defense provided insight into the tactics companies use to deny or minimize claims, experience that now fuels his commitment to standing up for injury victims. He has tried more than 500 district court cases and over 75 jury trials, taking on corporations and insurers with determination and skill. At Kisner Law, Jason leads a team focused on achieving results while treating every client with care and respect. If you or a loved one has been injured, call Kisner Law today at 240-459-0097 or fill out our contact form to discuss your case and learn how Jason can fight for the compensation you deserve.

Daniel Schlanger is a partner at Kakalec & Schlanger, LLP, where he heads the firm's consumer practice. His practice focuses on representing victims of unfair collection tactics, predatory lending, hidden fees, auto fraud, defective products, and other marketplace injustice. The firm brings affirmative litigation (including class actions and significant individual claims) on behalf of consumers and also regularly represents consumers who have been sued on significant debts, including credit card debt, medical debt, auto loans, home loans, lines of credit, personal guarantees, etc. Dan joined Kakalec & Schlanger, LLP's predecessor firm (Schlanger & Schlanger) in 2007 after working as a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where he was a member of that organization’s consumer law unit, and helped to found a program focused on wage and hour litigation on behalf of low-income workers. Prior to that, Dan clerked for the Hon. R. Lanier Anderson, III on the United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. Dan received his law degree from Harvard Law School, cum laude, in 2004. He received his undergraduate degree from Carleton College, magna cum laude, in 1994.

Board Certified Civil Trial Attorney Lee Gunn focuses his practice of law upon the prosecution of cases involving substantial losses in the State of Florida. These cases frequently involve wrongful death and serious injuries to patients victimized by medical malpractice, defective products, and construction accidents. He also prosecutes direct and bad faith insurance claim dispute actions against insurance companies. Often these cases involve hurricane and other property owner claims where an insurer refuses to pay fully, fairly and promptly. Before representing plaintiffs, Lee defended insurance companies, hospitals, product manufacturers and other large corporations from 1983 until 2000. Lee Gunn is Board Certified in Civil Trial by The Florida Bar and the National Board of Trial Advocates, AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been named among Leading American Attorneys by his peers, to Florida Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite and named in Florida SuperLawyers Magazine since its first Florida attorneys rating.

WE HAVE 30+ YEARS EXPERIENCE IN AUTO ACCIDENTS/PERSONAL INJURY, MEDICAL MALPRACTICE, DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS, DANGEROUS PROPERTY AND LITIGATION NOTABLE SETTLEMENTS $4.2 million - wrongful death $1.3 million - workplace injury $650,000 - medical negligence $1million - amputation Numerous policy limits settlements and UM/UIM recoveries I AM COLORADO INJURY LAWYER THOMAS NAPP. OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, I HAVE RECOVERED MILLIONS FOR MY CLIENTS BY FIGHTING FOR THEIR RIGHTS. BUT THAT IS NOT ENOUGH - A PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER GOING UP AGAINST INSURANCE COMPANIES AND BIG CORPORATIONS MUST ME SMART, SKILLED, ALWAYS PREPARED AND WILLING TO GO THAT EXTRA MEASURE TO GET A FAIR AND JUST RESULT. THAT IS WHO I AM. IF YOU ARE INJURED, I CAN HELP.

Frederick R. (Rick) Hovde is a founder of Hovde Dassow and Deets LLC and focuses his practice on the areas of medical negligence, car and truck accidents, construction site accidents, and injuries from dangerous consumer products all on behalf of plaintiffs. He has tried over one hundred ten cases to a jury verdict and obtained several maximum statutory verdicts in medical malpractice cases and several verdicts in excess of $1,000,000 in automobile accident, products liability, and insurance bad faith cases. He has handled many significant and complex construction, products liability, and accident and insurance claim cases. He has also been involved in a substantial amount of appellate decisions and authored a number or articles. Over the course of his career, Rick has received countless honors and awards in recognition of his legal excellence. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2003, recognized as an Indiana Super Lawyer since 2004, is a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, Indiana College of Trial Lawyers, Litigation Counsel of America, Indianapolis Bar Foundation. He is also a long time member of the American Association for Justice and American Board of Trial Advocates. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association since 1990, the Executive Committee from 1995 to 2003, and was President during the 2002-2003 term. He has been extensively involved with the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association legislative committee and it's efforts in the state legislature. In 2019 he received the distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.