Overview Experience Case Studies Insights Events News Outside the Office Community Leadership

Carmen Nell Anderson Leydon

Senior Counsel

The Link Virtual Office
phone: 414.978.5396
fax: 414.223.5000

email: [email protected]

Milwaukee*

Overview Experience Case Studies

Insights Events News

Outside the Office Community Leadership

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Overview

Carmen represents clients in product liability and toxic tort cases.

With more than 20 years of experience, Carmen has tried many cases to verdict for Fortune 500 companies in state and federal courts. She focuses much of her practice on environmental toxins and is extensively familiar with these matters, with a strong interest in science-based cases. Carmen is passionate about digging into the science behind legal matters, ensuring that she has a solid understanding of how the technology at the center of a case works.

Carmen defends clients in traditional product liability matters, machinery-related cases and asbestos and benzene litigation matters. While her practice is nationwide, she also serves as regional and local counsel for various corporations in Wisconsin courts. Carmen has also consulted on various international matters in the United Kingdom and European Union.

With a gift for building amicable relationships with other counsel, Carmen is known for her ability to resolve matters quickly, achieving the best result possible for the client. She’s also known for her focus on client goals: early in her career, a mentor advised her to zero in on a client’s ultimate goal and work backwards from there. It’s advice Carmen has stuck to for decades. She understands that clients aren’t always seeking the same result from litigation, and she realizes that the strategy pursued in these matters often has a ripple effect nationally for the client’s other cases. Carmen aims to keep this wider picture in mind, ensuring that her trial strategies are compatible with the client’s overall goals.

Industries

Manufacturing

Technology

Transportation

Services

Asbestos Litigation

Litigation & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Product Liability

Toxic Tort

Recognition

AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Education

J.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law
B.A., University of Iowa

Admissions

Wisconsin
Florida
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit

Professional Memberships and Certifications

Defense Research Institute
Milwaukee Bar Association
State Bar of Wisconsin

*Contact Carmen to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the Milwaukee office.

Experience

Tried David Olley v. Copeland Corporation, watershed talc case in New York, successfully arguing that decedent's mesothelioma was the result of his work in a talc mine, rather than client's product.
Tried product liability and toxic tort cases to verdict for Fortune 500 companies.
Served as regional and local counsel for corporations in Wisconsin courts.
Consulted on numerous matters including coverage, risk management, strategic planning and litigation defense in the United Kingdom and European Union.

Blog | December 11, 2024

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Blog | September 27, 2024

Scope and Enforceability of Arbitration Clauses in Florida

Outside the Office

Carmen loves being outside, cooking, and spoiling her bulldog Georgie.

Carmen grows and harvests her own herbs for cooking, and loves being able to grow herbs all year round in sunny Florida. She also has an interest in flower arranging, in which she has taken courses. When she’s not in her kitchen, you can usually find Carmen walking her English bulldog, Georgie, or visiting her local farmers market to find fresh locally sourced ingredients. Carmen stays active with Orange Theory, walking outside, and the occasional round of golf. She’s also passionate about her alma mater, Iowa, and loves to watch Iowa sports.

Carmen's English bulldog, Georgie.

Community Leadership

Carmen is deeply committed to community involvement, frequently volunteering for causes she’s passionate about. She recently retired from the role of Secretary of the Board of Fisher House Wisconsin, the Wisconsin chapter of Fisher House Foundation, which provides a home away from home for the families of veterans seeking nearby medical treatment at the VA. Fisher House promotes that healing is best accomplished when family is close by for support. Fisher House Wisconsin has recently obtained permission to build an additional home in Madison, and Carmen is assisting with leading the capital campaign. With veterans in her own family who have needed care at the VA, Carmen has seen first-hand the important role that family provides to service members and the country both during and after overseas tours.

Carmen also places a high priority on pro bono work, and she has volunteered with the Milwaukee Volunteer Lawyers Center, which helps individuals without the resources to hire an attorney.