Best Law Firms in the United States for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs

Nationally ranked at the highest levels of professional excellence, the attorneys of Chicago‑based Cooney & Conway have been providing exceptional legal services to injured people and their families for more than 50 years. In addition to its acclaimed asbestos litigation practice, the law firm also handles complex personal injury matters including, medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, transportation accidents, construction accidents, and professional negligence. Fighting for those who have suffered catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, Cooney & Conway is known for aggressive, yet compassionate representation and for committed, responsive relationships with its clients. Understanding the devastation to clients brought by injury, illness, and death, the firm’s primary focus is ensuring that matters are resolved justly and expeditiously, so that future financial burdens can be relieved.

The attorneys of Cooney & Conway have mastered the complexities of mesothelioma and personal injury litigation, consistently and successfully helping thousands of injured clients and their families obtain fair compensation for injuries resulting from the negligence of others, including:

• $5.2 billion settlement agreement with the Owens Corning Asbestos Case
• $3.95 billion settlement agreement with USG Asbestos Personal Injury Trust
• $1.43 billion settlement agreement with the Combustion Engineering/ABB Asbestos Personal Injury Trust
• $1.2 billion settlement agreement with the Kaiser Aluminum Personal Injury Trust
• $35 million-dollar verdict against a major oil company in an asbestos death case
• $19.9 million-dollar verdict in a trucking accident death case
• $12.3 million verdict against an insulator who died of mesothelioma, whose case was tried to jury verdict in the Circuit Court of Cook County by Cooney and Conway attorneys John Cooney, William Fahey, and Jim Hopkinson. The verdict of compensatory damages of $12.3 million was reported as the largest single mesothelioma verdict nationwide ·
• $4.5 million settlement agreement in a wrongful death case resulting from drowning in a barge collision

The continued success of Cooney & Conway is a testament to its expertise, diligence, and dedication to its clients. This expertise and diligence has also earned Cooney & Conway the respect of judges, colleagues, and adversaries, alike. Serving the community with the highest standards of professionalism and ethics is what sets Cooney & Conway apart from other personal injury firms, and why it remains one of the most distinguished law firms in the nation.

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen is a national law firm recognized for its representation of over 5,000 hardworking men and women who have been exposed to asbestos and diagnosed with mesothelioma. ELSM devotes nearly 100 percent of our resources to mesothelioma cases and has been doing so for over 40 years.

The attorneys at ELSM have extensive knowledge about the companies that distributed, manufactured, and supplied products containing asbestos and have used this knowledge to obtain settlements and jury verdicts which are among the highest in the country.

ELSM assists clients not only in filing civil lawsuits to recover for their injuries, but also in filing workers compensation and bankruptcy claims where appropriate.

Asbestos & Mesothelioma

Malignant mesothelioma is the most serious of all asbestos related disease. Although uncommon, mesothelioma cancer is no longer considered rare.

• What Is Mesothelioma?
• Mesothelioma Risk Factors
• Mesothelioma Symptoms
• What Is Asbestos?
• Occupations at Risk
• Asbestos Products
• Asbestos Job Sites

Mesothelioma Treatment

Ongoing research and mesothelioma treatments like Alimta® can give mesothelioma patients hope.

• Diagnosing Mesothelioma
• Mesothelioma Types
• Mesothelioma Staging
• Treating Mesothelioma
• Treatment Near You
• Clinical Trials
• Prognosis and Outlook
• Mesothelioma Survivors
• Mesothelioma Books

Your Legal Rights

Our justice system allows those suffering from mesothelioma to seek compensation from the manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products.

• Why Protect Your Rights
• Typical Case Process
• Viable Defendants
• Bankrupt Defendants
• VA Benefits
• Workers' Compensation
• FAQ's
• Asbestos News

Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen is nationally recognized for our representation of mesothelioma victims, and for our understanding of and compassion for victims and their families. Our experience in these matters spans over three decades.

• Attorneys
• Where We Work
• Why Hire Us?
• Settlements Obtained
• What Our Clients Say
• Martindale Rating
• Help Find a Cure
• Asbestos Awareness

ELSM is proud to support MARF (Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation) in its work to fund mesothelioma research.

I am very pleased with the law firm Early, Lucarelli, Sweeney & Meisenkothen and feel that they have always had my best interest at heart. Whenever I have had questions to be answered, I could (and can) count on prompt answers by calling the person with whom I have had the most contact, Jennifer Lucarelli. She has always treated me like a life-long friend.

-Shirley Lamphere

For more than 35 years, the lawyers of Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen have specialized in the successful representation of injured persons and those who have lost loved ones due to the fault of others. The firm's lawyers focus solely on injury cases, accident cases, wrongful death cases and insurance claims.

GJEL's team of personal injury attorneys has an outstanding track record of verdicts and settlements, and we are one of California's top personal injury law firms. We have obtained over $600 million dollars for our clients. Call us today at 1-800-840-2111 or email lawfirm@gjel.com today to speak directly to a personal injury lawyer. If you're looking for information on how long the average case takes, please review our Personal Injury Timeline.

Here's what others are saying about us:

Best Lawyers Magazine
Cover feature, August 2009

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated
"Highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability."

National Law Journal, 2009
Top 100 Verdicts in the Nation

Avvo
"Andy Gillin became a great resource for people seeking legal information online."

FIRM PROFILE

Over 99% success rate.

• Over $850 Million recovered for our clients from insurance companies and corporate defendants.
• Ranked among the top law firms nationwide by our peers.
• Respected and seen as a formidable opponent by insurance companies.
• Known for helping our clients with their medical, vehicle repair and replacement, rental car and other bills from day one.
• Our attorneys attended Stanford, the University of California, the University of Chicago, and other major universities.
• Experts in accident reconstruction.
• An authority for other firms and lawyers-noted for the speed and skill with which we resolve our clients’ cases.
• Free Consultations whenever and wherever is most convenient for our clients.
• Paid only upon the successful resolution of our clients’ cases-no up-front fees.

As partner Andy Gillin is fond of saying, “We love fighting for the little guy.” We all began our careers in public service, and while the cases have gotten larger and more complex along the way, that hasn’t changed our firm’s focus.

The one-on-one relationship between attorney and client is truly important to GJEL. Unlike many other law firms, our discipline is to maintain a constant emphasis on quality over quantity. Catastrophic injury cases require extraordinary attention to detail. The only way to allow for that focus is to be extremely selective.

Our selectiveness allows us the time to work every aspect of the case and to develop a personal connection with you. That connection gives us extra fight and determination to overcome the deep resources that corporate defendants and insurance companies possess.

We return all phone calls immediately and solve every problem we can, whether it is directly related to the case or not. We maintain friendships with our clients long after we’ve won their cases.

We help clients get back on their feet and get their lives back. People go through a lot when they sustain an injury, both emotionally and physically, and the number of medical specialists our clients see is often overwhelming. Our clients also need help figuring out their property damage issues with their cars or motorcycles, they need help getting investigative reports and medical records, and oftentimes securing a rental vehicle. In general, our clients need help getting back on their feet and returning their lives to normal.

That’s where GJEL’s staff comes in. We let our clients focus on what is really important-their health. We set up appointments with doctors and medical specialists who will provide you with the absolute best care. We coordinate accident investigations. We communicate with your health insurance company. We follow up with the insurance company of the person who hit you, as well as your own car insurance company. In a nutshell, we handle all the details of your case, so that you can focus on your health and your family.

Every member of our staff is a humble, approachable, friendly, and compassionate person. From your first phone call or email to our office, I know you’ll have the same impression.

We welcome any and all questions about individual cases. Initial consultations are free, and if we can’t help you, we’ll do our best to direct you to additional legal resources. My staff, my partners, and I look forward to speaking with you.

–Andy
Andy Gillin
Managing Partner
Gillin, Jacobson, Ellis & Larsen

We help clients who have been injured in an accident.

Here is what we are most known for:

• Northern California Car Accident Lawyers
• Uber/ Lyft Accident
• Bicycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Wrongful Death Cases
• Amputation Accidents

GJEL Also Has Offices Across Northern California to serve our clients. You can find us in the following cities:

• GJEL Accident Attorneys San Jose
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Hayward
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Berkeley
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Fresno
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Oakland
• GJEL Accident Attorneys San Francisco
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Walnut Creek Office
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Concord
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Richmond Office
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Fremont
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Sacramento
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Fairfield
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Gilroy
• Main Office
• GJEL Accident Attorneys Stockton

Since 1994 Harding Mazzotti, LLP has always operated by the motto “When given the choice, choose kindness.” It’s this motto and dedication to our clients that has allowed us to grow and serve NY, VT and MA for so many years. It’s the reason our attorneys have fought for and secured over $1 billion in settlements for our clients.

Our team of 40+ Attorneys and 120+ Support Staff at Harding Mazzotti have spent their careers aggressively fighting for the rights of those injured by someone’s negligence. Personal injury, car accidents, defective drugs, medical malpractice, defective medical devices, social security disability, workers’ compensation, defective products, and more; when you’ve been injured, the Heavy Hitters can help you. Call at 1-800-529-1010 or contact us today to get started.

Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek is a personal injury law firm in Midtown Manhattan. Our personal injury lawyers also take cases in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, and throughout the rest of New York. Our injury lawyers assist injured clients throughout New York City and the surrounding areas. The partners at our firm originally came from the largest, most experienced, and most profitable law firms in New York. Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. was formed because we wanted to provide more personal attention to clients – something that could not be done at larger firms – while still obtaining large settlements and judgments. We strive to always provide aggressive legal assistance while supporting our clients after being injured in a serious accident.

While most cases do settle, our seasoned trial attorneys prepare every case as if it will proceed to trial. HKD has the resources and experience to try any case and win. Whether you were injured in a car accident, workplace accident, MTA accident claims, commercial truck accident, slip and fall accident, or another personal injury matter, our attorneys will fight for you to win. Our attorneys are especially experienced with construction accidents, such as dangerous job sites, injuries from falling objects, crane accidents, and scaffold accidents.

We get involved in a client’s case as soon as possible. In personal injury claims, insurance adjusters act quickly, hoping for a speedy settlement. Usually, these are low-ball offers made in the company’s best interests – not yours. Prompt action from an experienced attorney will ensure you are protected and that every detail of your accident is investigated.

Procrastination can lose a lawsuit, but at Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis to reduce your risk. You are not responsible for any initial payment or costs during litigation, and all initial consultations are free. We only recover a fee upon the successful conclusion of your case.

With decades of experience and hundreds of millions of dollars recovered, if you or a loved one is suffering, Hecht, Kleeger & Damashek, P.C. is ready to help. We can meet by appointment at our New York office, at home, or in the hospital. An attorney at our firm is available to assist you 24 hours a day, and seven days a week.

Kiesel Law LLP is a prominent litigation firm based in Los Angeles, widely respected for its strong representation of individuals harmed by negligence, deceptive practices, unsafe products, and other forms of wrongdoing by corporations or institutions. The firm has built a reputation for delivering meaningful outcomes for its clients, consistently securing high-value settlements and verdicts in complex legal matters.

Luftman, Heck & Associates is a criminal defense law firm located in Columbus, Ohio. Led by Columbus criminal defense attorneys Ben Luftman, Peter Scranton, Bryan Bowen, and Joseph Kunkel, our law firm has successfully represented thousands of clients on various criminal charges. Our attorneys understand that the criminal justice system can be an unjust and scary place without a knowledgeable attorney by your side.

That is why for over a decade, the Columbus criminal defense attorneys with Luftman, Heck & Associates, LLP have successfully represented clients in Central Ohio who have been charged with criminal offenses from DUI charges to serious felonies and federal offenses. That extensive experience will enable us to better help you. Some of the most common criminal charges that we defend against are:

• First time DUI charges
• Drug charges such as possession of a controlled substance and drug trafficking
• Sex crimes such as sexual battery and rape charges
• Violent crimes such as domestic violence and assault charges

Our law firm's experience handling such a wide array of criminal charges means that we have likely represented someone in your shoes before and that previous experience will better help us represent you. If you've been charged with a crime in Central Ohio, schedule a free initial consultation with Luftman, Heck & Associates, LLP. Our law firm has two offices in Central Ohio so that there is always a convenient place to meet with clients: a downtown Columbus office and a Dublin office.

Our Family

We are an established family firm started in 1931. We have been providing consistent, successful legal service to those who have situations that call for an experienced lawyer. Today, our family firm includes 11 attorneys, including eight Murray partners, and we continue to build off of our rich and distinguished legal history of four generations to bring you the best advocacy possible.

Our Firm

Our attorneys provide legal assistance within several practice areas. When you secure our law firm to help you with your legal issue or to refer your case, you are getting a diverse group of attorneys working within very focused practice areas. What does this mean for you? It means that you have at your disposal a team that can provide you with comprehensive knowledge within these areas. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators and trial lawyers, with the experience needed to protect your interests in negotiations, arbitration, and mediation, as well as in state and federal courts. We are honored that you choose us.

Our Motto

The firm was founded in 1931 with the determination to provide representation to working men and women who have been injured either physically or financially through no fault of their own. We maintain this motto today. Our greatest satisfaction comes from helping you, our clients. We have built an abundant heritage by remaining firmly focused on our clients. We maintain this commitment by providing knowledgeable and skilled legal representation, and by never forgetting the human, compassionate element in our practice. We offer free consultations over the phone or in person where our lawyers will meet with you to discuss your case, assess the best course of action and strive to get you the compensation you deserve. Our focus in personal injury, consumer protection and business litigation allows our family of lawyers to diversify while offering excellent advocacy within our practice areas.

A full service Southeastern-based law firm representing clients across the United States and internationally, Stites & Harbison PLLC is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation, and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. The firm represents a broad spectrum of clients including multinational corporations, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, health care organizations, manufacturers, private companies, nonprofit organizations, family-owned businesses and individuals. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is one of the oldest law practices in the nation.

The firm maintains 11 offices across six states--Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia--and is able to service the needs of international clients with its memberships in Business Counsel, Inc. and Lex Mundi. Additionally, Stites & Harbison is a member of The Harmonie Group, the national network of top litigation law firms, and is the Kentucky representative to the prestigious Southern Law Network.

Strom Law Firm, L.L.C.

The lawyers at Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. in Columbia, South Carolina have devoted their professional lives to serving the people and families of our state. Our firm’s purpose is simple — to help people. We remain true to this purpose regardless of whether our client has suffered a serious personal injury as the result of another’s negligence, or they have been arrested and charged with a serious criminal offense.

We are committed to vigorously advocating for client rights and interests in each case. This emphasis — combined with our legal experience, our research resources, the strong network of professional relationships we have built, the respect and trust we have earned among our peers, and just as importantly, our enthusiasm — enables us to give the sound advice that enables you to make informed legal decisions regarding your case.

History and Practice

Founded in 1996 by former U.S. Attorney, Pete Strom, our practice has expanded from its original focus on representing individuals and businesses in South Carolina to a firm that now represents clients in complex civil and criminal cases throughout the Southeastern U.S. and nationwide.

Strom Law Firm, L.L.C. proudly represents the rights of individuals in the following areas of law:

Complex Litigation, Multi-District Litigation, Mass Torts, Personal Injury, Worker’s Compensation, Nursing Home Malpractice, Pharmaceutical Liability, Products Liability, Consumer Protection, Toxic Torts, Premises Liability, Business Litigation, Social Security Disability, Business Formations, Tax Planning, State and Federal Criminal Defense, White Collar Crimes, Grand Jury Practice, Professional License Defense, Employment Matters, and Qui-Tam or Whistleblower Actions.

Our attorneys include:

• Joseph Preston “Pete” Strom, Jr.
• Mario A. Pacella
• John R. Alphin
• Robyn Madden
• Bakari Sellers
• Alexandra Benevento
• Jessica Lerer
• Trey Harrell

In addition to being licensed in South Carolina, Mario A. Pacella is admitted to practice in Georgia and New York.

At Taft, we work as one team, driven and committed to helping you succeed. Our attorneys understand that innovative, value-creating solutions help our clients reach their goals. Our collaborative approach, advanced technological resources, and depth of services can transform what you expect from your legal team.

With more than 1,100 attorneys, Taft has offices in Chicago, Illinois; Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Delaware, Ohio; Aspen, Denver, and Colorado Springs, Colorado; Detroit and Southfield, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota.; Indianapolis, Indiana; Covington, Kentucky; Phoenix, Arizona; Stuart and West Palm Beach, Florida; and Washington, D.C.

Taft attorneys serve individuals and businesses worldwide in both mature and emerging industries.

The firm practices across a wide range of industries in virtually every area of law, including:

• Business
• Bankruptcy and Restructuring
• Employment and Labor Relations
• Energy
• Environmental
  
• Health Care
• Intellectual Property
  
• Lending and Finance
• Litigation
• Private Client
• Real Estate
• Tax

Since 1885, Taft has maintained a constant focus: to provide clients, both large and small, with legal advice and services that meet the highest possible standards.

Affiliated Businesses

As an additional service to our clients, Taft attorneys often partner with members of our affiliated businesses to provide comprehensive service to our clients. Our affiliated businesses include:

• Ginovus
• Taft Advisors LLC
• Taft Business Consulting
• Taft Infrastructure Advisors

Through these businesses, clients can access business consulting across a variety of disciplines, from general planning and forecasting to government relations and public policy.

Awards and Honors

Taft has received numerous awards and honors:

• 108 Taft attorneys and 45 practice areas are listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.

• Eight Taft attorneys are listed in Chambers High Net Worth (HNW), and the firm is named a leading law firm in the HNW guide in Private Wealth Law for Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio.

• Taft is ranked among the Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms." Taft received 20 national Tier 1 rankings, and Tier 1 rankings by metropolitan area in 154 practice areas.

• 363 Taft attorneys were honored with inclusion in the most recent edition of The Best Lawyers in America, with an additional 136 attorneys honored in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America.

• 112 Taft attorneys were named to the most recent list of Super Lawyers by Super Lawyers magazine.

• 78 Taft attorneys were named to the most recent list of Rising Stars by Super Lawyers magazine.

• Taft is rated a Highly Recommended Firm in Ohio and Indiana as well as a Recommended Firm in Minnesota by Benchmark Litigation, and Taft attorneys hold 22 rankings by Benchmark in one or more categories.

Main Areas of Practice:

Business: We provide legal services to public, private, and non-profit clients in a wide variety of industries, including banking, construction, distribution, finance, health care, housing, insurance, manufacturing, private equity, professional sports, real estate, retail, and utilities. Members of the group represent clients of different sizes, from emerging companies to Fortune 500 companies, on issues ranging from local matters to transactions with national and international implications.

Bankruptcy and Restructuring: We represent debtors, lenders, committees, suppliers, real estate owners and developers, equipment lessors, receivers, trustees, buyers and sellers, and other parties in connection with a wide assortment of transactions and litigation. We have extensive experience in the automotive, steel, telecommunications, basic manufacturing, retail and wholesale goods, and distressed-debt trading industries.

Employment and Labor Relations: We represent clients in a wide range of legal services to manage the complex relationship between employers and employees, including labor management relations, employment litigation, day-to-day counseling, benefit plans and ERISA compliance, workplace safety and health, immigration and citizenship, and workers’ compensation.

Energy: We provide full-service representation to a broad range of energy providers, public utilities, transmission-only utilities, independent power producers, developers, regional entities, and other energy-sector participants.

Environmental: We provide services in the areas of trial practice, Superfund defense and negotiation, enforcement defense, cost-recovery for plaintiffs and defendants, criminal environmental defense, environmental insurance and toxic tort litigation, mold and sick building litigation, lawsuits involving environmental problems discovered as a result of real property transfers or mergers and acquisitions, Brownfields redevelopment, defense of claims of occupational exposures, and administrative proceedings before state and federal agencies.

Health Care: We advise individual and institutional healthcare providers, research institutions, and pharmaceutical, medical device and biotechnology clients in multiple areas of law, including business and finance, employment and labor relations, malpractice litigation, insurance, regulatory and administrative law, ERISA, third-party reimbursement (Medicare, Medicaid and private payers) and hospital financing (tax-exempt bond financing).

Intellectual Property: We counsel and assist clients with patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, intellectual property, and pharmaceutical and life sciences litigation, including Hatch-Waxman litigation, biosimilars, computer software and internet-related issues.

Lending and Finance: Lenders and borrowers alike need lawyers that understand market dynamics and help simplify the complexity of transactions wherever possible. Clients trust our team to bring a practical, business-oriented approach to each transaction. Our team represents lenders and borrowers in all types of financing transactions, including asset-based lending, mezzanine finance, traditional working capital and equipment finance, acquisition finance (senior and mezzanine), capital call lines of credit, real estate finance, equipment leasing, regulatory compliance, investigations and enforcement, and consumer financial services and lending.

Litigation: We represent clients in pretrial, trial and appellate litigation in federal and state courts, before regulatory agencies and arbitration panels, and in alternative dispute resolution in a full range of matters, including antitrust, appellate, bankruptcy, construction, ERISA, education, estates, trusts and fiduciary, environmental, FCPA and international anti-corruption, First Amendment and media law, government contracts, insurance, intellectual property, pharmaceutical and life sciences, product liability and personal injury, securities, sports, and corporate compliance and white collar criminal defense.

Private Client: We counsel owners of family businesses in establishing organizational structures to satisfy current and long-term needs, to plan for the transfer of the business to the next generation (whether during the owner's lifetime or upon death), and to implement strategies. We also represent clients on personal planning, taking into account estate and income tax issues, closely-held businesses, second marriages, and planning for special needs of children and other heirs.

Real Estate: We represent clients in all services related to the acquisition, disposition, financing, leasing, management, and use of real estate, including lease, financing agreement, construction contract, and purchase and sale agreement negotiations, land use representation and litigation, and tax valuation representation and litigation.

Tax: We represent public corporations, financial institutions, domestic joint ventures, new business ventures, non-profit and tax-exempt organizations, and individuals in tax matters such as business transactions, employee benefits and executive compensation, international taxation, mergers and acquisitions, state and local tax, and tax controversy and litigation.