For more than two decades, Joe has represented many large manufacturers in litigation matters across the United States. Joe’s caseload primarily consists of matters that involve chemicals, petrochemicals, biotechnology, industrial, agricultural, commercial and consumer products, and pharmaceuticals.
Joe is routinely selected by Fortune 100 companies in these industries to prepare and try toxic tort, product liability, intellectual property, mass tort, class action and commercial cases. In addition, he has regularly acted as lead trial counsel for multiple-defendant joint defense groups in some of the nation’s most difficult jurisdictions, including Cook, St. Clair and Madison counties in Illinois and in the City of St. Louis, Mo.
Further, Joe serves as national coordinating counsel and regional trial counsel for a number of chemical, petrochemical and product manufacturers and technology companies. He has significant experience in mass tort cases, including the defense of class actions involving allegations of groundwater contamination and air emissions, as well as class action matters involving consumer products.
Four of his long-term roles include:
- More than 20 years as a lead trial lawyer for Emerson, a diversified global manufacturing firm, handling class action, commercial litigation and product liability cases.
- More than 15 years acting as the lead trial counsel for an agricultural products manufacturer in patent infringement cases involving plant biotechnology. He has secured numerous jury trial victories in these cases and appeals from those trials have resulted in favorable new law in the areas of antitrust, patent misuse and patent damages methodologies.
- Acts as North American product liability lead trial and national coordinating counsel for an international manufacturer of building products. He relies on his deep understanding of the client’s industry, technologies and business model to provide strategic, efficient and consistent representation.
- Acts as national coordinating counsel for an international chemical company’s toxic tort litigation.
Joe directs a team of more than 100 lawyers who solve problems and deliver value for manufacturing, technology and transportation companies. He is active in various manufacturing, legal and agribusiness industry associations, such as the National Association of Manufacturers, the Defense Research Institute and the American Seed Trade Association. He is a frequent speaker on topics relating to trial tactics, product liability and toxic tort litigation and pretrial discovery techniques. He is the leader of the firm’s Technology, Manufacturing & Transportation strategic business unit, as well as a member of the firm’s Partner Board.