Addleshaw Goddard‘s product liability and safety team is able to offer a one-stop-shop service to clients, from regulatory issues to global product recalls and high-value product liability claims. The practice has a history of defending clients in significant group product liability litigation, with notable recent highlights including assisting a major multinational pharmaceutical company in a mass claim. Practice head Cécile Burgess utilises ‘multi-jurisdictional and cross-sector expertise combined with a keen commercial acumen‘ to handle a wide variety of disputes, with an emphasis on claims in the life sciences, automotive, and retail and consumer sectors. Among the other key team members are Mark Chesher, David Young and Alex Hogarth, who are all notable for their commercial litigation expertise. Elaine Barker, who focuses on acting for life sciences clients, and Megan Goodman are also noted.

With a large network of offices around the UK, Baker McKenzie LLP offers a full service for clients seeking assistance at any stage of a product liability claim’s life cycle. The team is well known for its advice on product compliance and risk management, and often handles multi-jurisdictional product recalls, particularly for clients from the manufacturing and retail industries. Practice head Kate Corby is an experienced litigator and is described as ‘an excellent strategist with rigorous commercial sense’. Rachel MacLeod and Joanne Redmond, who has particular strength on the regulatory compliance side of product liability matters, are further names to note in the team.

Cooley (UK) LLP is able to assist clients with issues throughout the product lifecycle and at all stages of product liability litigation, from pre-action requirements to court proceedings. The life sciences and technology sectors are core areas of expertise. Rod Freeman heads up the team and is well known for his advice to major global companies, particularly in the technology sector, on disputes and policy developments. Sascha Grimm is a key name for liability litigation and regulatory investigations, and Claire Temple is skilled in advising multinational tech companies. Ed Turtle, Carol Holley and Jamie Humphreys, who has a strong litigation practice, are also noted.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s product defence group, whose client roster features major British multinationals, has ‘well-established group litigation experience and uses its tactical and forensic skill to great effect in the product liability context‘. The group acts in major product liability class actions as well as multi-jurisdictional recalls. Philip Pfeffer leads the team, and is noted for his skill in product liability litigation and regulatory issues. David Bennett, who is ‘adept at the tactical and strategic judgments inherent in this area’, is experienced in litigation (including class action claims) and in advising on regulatory compliance for innovative technology products.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is commended for its skill in cross-border product safety, sustainability and liability matters, including high-profile claims relating to EU product safety regulations, acting for a variety of leading names across the retail, medical device manufacturing, technology, life sciences and tobacco industries. According to clients, team members ‘dominate the overlap between product liability, commercial dispute resolution and group litigation’. Matthew Felwick and Valerie Kenyon, the latter of whom ‘combines the keen instincts of a litigator with world-wide strategic oversight‘, run the team. Elise Martin excels in the medical devices industry and Karishma Paroha is skilled in claims in the consumer, pharmaceutical and automotive sectors, while Lookman Rawat handles regulatory matters and product launches for consumer products, automotive and tobacco sector clients.

Notable for its global reach, Clyde & Co is able to handle the defence of large-scale product liability claims in many jurisdictions simultaneously. Peter Barnes, whose sector specialisms include the  aviation, medical devices, and automotive industries, Charlotte Kelly and Neil Beresford, who has a strong reputation for product liability claims and product recalls, head up the team. Emma Ager often acts for major insurers in product liability-related claims, and is a ‘go-to person for Bermuda Form work’.

DAC Beachcroft LLP demonstrates ‘an in-depth knowledge in all lines of business in product liability globally and locally‘, offering a full service covering representation in civil litigation and in high-profile public enquiries. In particular, the team is noted for its strength in the healthcare sector. Sherry Goodman-Smith and Stephen Turner spearhead the group. Further names to note are Mark Kendall, who is a ‘fantastic product liability defence lawyer‘; Manchester-based Sean Doherty, who is skilled in product liability cases in the medical sector; life sciences sector specialist Alison McAdams; and Olya Melnitchouk, who specialises in group pharmaceutical product liability litigation.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP assists clients throughout the full life cycle of product liability issues, including handling collaborative pre-litigation work with clients to reduce product liability risk, and increasingly advising on specific compliance issues in the product liability space. Group head Richard Matthews is experienced in advising on product failures and incidents in the automotive, chemicals, food, pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors.

Kennedys has ‘strength and depth, and clear commercial nous in its approach to products claims’, utilising its global network of offices and its deep knowledge of EU product liability legislation to advise on international product liability matters, including in relation to consumer law and product regulation. The group is particularly skilled in advising insurers, but also frequently acts for leading life sciences and medical products clients in high-profile litigation. At the helm of the group is Samantha Silver, who has extensive experience in product liability litigation, including in relation to public inquiries. Other notable names are Trevor Davies, a veteran in UK and international product liability and recall claims, and Ben Aram, who heads the firm’s global corporate and commercial division.

RPC's product liability team has ‘the strength and depth to deal with the entire spectrum of litigated cases in this arena, including catastrophic and complex cases‘, and is particularly well known for its representation of insurers. Its broad practice encompasses claims in a variety of sectors, with a strong emphasis on the medical device and pharmaceutical industries. Gavin Reese and Dorothy Flower lead the team; Flower is praised as ‘adept at understanding the interplay between the underlying issues and the insurance considerations‘, and Reese is often involved in cross-border product liability matters. Mamata Dutta, who ‘combines a tremendous intellect with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’, and Fiona Hahlo are also key names within the group.

Shook, Hardy & Bacon International LLP houses an ‘excellent team for complex manufacturer-side cases, with a wealth of experience and know-how‘, which has experience in complex product liability litigation, product recalls and regulatory compliance issues, including international mass claims. Practice head and managing partner Simon Castley, who ‘has a superb understanding of the market and of technical issues in product liability litigation‘, also advises clients on compliance with regulations in the UK, US and Europe. The team also includes experienced litigator Sarah Croft, whose broad client roster includes international automotive, pharmaceutical and medical device companies.

Shoosmiths LLP is able to draw on a range of cross-practice expertise to deal with product liability litigation and regulatory issues, ranging from product development and marketing to product concerns and recalls, and associated claims. The team acts for key players in a range of sectors, including automotive, retail, consumer goods and manufacturing. Hayley Saunders heads up the team, which also includes 'commercially astute and very capable litigator' Paul Eccles, who is an insurance specialist, and Stephen Johnstone, who is proficient in regulated product labelling and advertising matters.

Bird & Bird LLP represents suppliers, distributors and manufacturers across a range of sectors, including technology, automotive, consumer electronics, luxury goods and medical devices, providing a full service for product liability matters. Jonathan Speed is adept at handling litigation in the automotive and tech sectors, including in relation to autonomous vehicles, and Russell Williamson is skilled in disputes and advising on potential risks and product recalls.

DLA Piper draws on its global presence to advise leading international clients on product compliance, potential recalls and corporate investigations, and has seen a strong recent uptick in instructions relating to food product labelling and stewardship. Teresa Hitchcock co-heads the international product liability group, and is particularly focused on product safety matters. Nick Rock, who stands out for his proficiency in advising on the EU regulatory aspects of bringing a new product to market, and Annie O’Connor are also key contacts.

Keystone Law is well versed in dealing with a variety of product liability claims stemming from international trade, frequently advising foreign insurers and manufacturers. ‘Knowledgeable, super-diligent‘ practitioner Elaine Chan has a strong track record in high-value product liability claims, including multi-jurisdictional disputes. Antony Colman, a specialist in advising German clients, and Jason Kallis, who stands out for his roster of Japanese and South Korean clients, are also key contacts.

Mayer Brown's product liability team stands out for its expertise in product liability claims in the construction industry, working in a multidisciplinary fashion with the firm’s strong litigation and construction practices. Miles Robinson, who is highlighted for 'the knowledge and experience that he brings, his calmness under pressure and the quality of work', handles mass claims and regulatory advice relating to product labelling issues. Mark Stefanini is regularly engaged to advise on product safety and product recalls, as well as product liability issues relating to food and automotive products.

In addition to its expertise in complex product liability litigation (including high-profile claims involving a large number of claimants), Pinsent Masons offers advice on product regulation and product crisis management to multinational clients across the UK and Europe. Practice head Jacqueline Harris, who is ‘superb at evaluating technical material', has a great deal of experience in product liability litigation, risk management, recall and withdrawal issues. Zoe Betts has a broad regulatory practice.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s product liability and safety team advises companies on matters such as product recalls, corrective actions, product compliance, regulatory investigations, and supply chain disputes. The firm works across various sectors, including technology, manufacturing, life sciences, and automotive. Practice head Katie Chandler is well-versed in managing coronial inquest proceedings and regulatory investigations. Other key names include Edward Spencer, co-head of the cyber response team, and Megan Howarth, who works with various manufacturing and supplier clients.

Burges Salmon LLP stands out for its specialist expertise in the food and drink and agribusiness sectors, advising leading names in this space on product liability issues and recalls. The team is also expanding its offering to cover product liability risk management matters in Scotland. Brian Wong, Helen Scott-Lawler and Andrew Burnette are the trio leading the team; Wong advises on product safety and liability in sectors including the automotive industry, while Scott-Lawler and Burnette are particularly active in the food and drink industry.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP advises a varied client base of major multinationals, as well as SMEs in the retail and technology sectors, on product liability and regulatory compliance, in addition to the launch of new products. In particular, the team is 'good at dealing with novel legal issues, for example those arising from Brexit and Covid-19'. Kamran Rehman and John Doherty, a key name for international product liability matters with strong knowledge of EU product safety requirements, lead the team. Lisa Page stands out for her product liability expertise in the life sciences sector.

Simmons & Simmons' multidisciplinary offering combines insurance and product liability expertise to assist insurers and key players in the TMT and healthcare and life sciences sectors, in particular, with product liability claims, compliance and recalls. James Pollock leads the practice, while David Kidman, who is noted for his 'calm, perceptive advice and tactical brilliance', frequently handles high-profile claims, including group litigation, and Emma Spence has a strong presence in the retail, food, electrical goods and construction industries.

Squire Patton Boggs‘ fields a ‘reliable team with excellent competence‘, which handles civil claims, risk management, product compliance and product recalls, in addition to supply chain disputes arising from product liability issues. Rob Elvin heads up the team, bringing a wealth of experience in multi-jurisdictional product recalls. Nicola Smith and Dave Gordon are also key team members, providing expertise in the food and drink, cosmetics and medical devices sectors, and the chemical sector respectively.