The world’s biggest companies turn to Sullivan & Cromwell for our products liability and mass torts litigation counsel, trusting us to guide them through their toughest problems across multiple jurisdictions and disparate issues. We partner with our clients to quickly gain a comprehensive understanding of the facts underlying a case and the client’s business objectives. Every client’s situation is given a tailored approach.
As high-stakes products liability and mass torts litigation has threatened different industries, S&C has been at the forefront of finding creative and effective strategies to resolve these matters, most recently, in the automotive realm with our representation of Volkswagen, Audi and Fiat Chrysler in diesel emissions matters.
For Volkswagen, which chose us as national coordinating counsel, we swiftly eliminated most of the company's liability with a series of settlements that allowed the auto giant to focus on its core business objectives and put the past behind it. For consumers who chose to opt out of the settlements, we are vigorously defending Volkswagen, including in a three-week bellwether trial where the 10 opt-out consumers ultimately recovered less that what they would have been entitled to under the class settlements. Our clients trust us to effectively manage and resolve the corporate uncertainty created by these matters.
Clients frequently rely on our skills as national coordinating counsel or as senior advisors in their largest matters. Our lawyers, who are trained as generalist practitioners, have the skill and professional agility to pivot quickly and expertly among versatile legal issues that can arise. Moreover, we prioritize coordination and efficiency in implementing an effective strategy.
Our lawyers have handled a broad array of environmental and toxic tort litigations under a variety of federal and state laws, foreign national and multinational regulations, and international conventions. S&C lawyers are well suited to handle a diverse selection of matters covering a multitude of industries, which have included not just automotive, but also pharmaceuticals and medical devices, asbestos and lead paint, as well as construction materials and manufacturing equipment.
