John Hooper > King & Spalding LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

King & Spalding LLP is a leading defender of automotive manufacturers and transportation companies, specializing in high-stakes product liability and mass action litigation. The firm serves as national, strategic, trial, resolution, and regional counsel in some of the industry’s most complex, multi-jurisdictional cases. The firm represents industry giants such as GM, Toyota, Tesla, Mercedes, Ford, Volkswagen, Lamborghini, and Bentley, whilst the practice has successfully handled multidistrict litigations, state-coordinated mass actions and class actions. Working out of the firm’s Atlanta office, Geoffrey Drake heads up the firm’s consumer products & automotive team and currently co-leads the high-profile GM consumer litigation, managing thousands of breach-of-warranty and fraud cases. Geoffrey has also defended Ford and GM in major regulatory and litigation matters. As a leading defense strategist in product liability, consumer class actions, and false advertising cases, New York based John Hooper advises clients like Toyota on national defense strategy and resolution planning for high-profile litigation. As chair of the automotive & transportation litigation team, Susan Clare frequently defends major manufacturers like GM and Tesla in high-exposure class actions and product liability cases from the firm’s Atlanta office. Alexander Calfo works out of the firm’s San Francisco office, representing Fortune 100 companies including Ford and Toyota in complex product liability matters.

The rail and road offering at King & Spalding LLP is noted for its comprehensive involvement in regulatory and disputes proceedings, advising on product liability, safety regulations, bankrputcy disputes, settlements, and single-plaintiff catastrophic injury cases for automakers. The team is particularly reputed for its expertise in diesel-related issues. Atlanta-based Geoffrey Drake is experienced in representing automakers in mass tort litigation, product liability, and class action cases at the federal and state level. He co-heads the team with Granta Nakayama, who is active in regulatory and enforcment matters with an environmental component, especially diesel-related issues. Susan Clare often represents automakers in mass tort, class action and product liability litigation, while John Hooper  is retained for his experience in viral, mass tort and high exposure litigation. Atlanta-based Madison Kitchens and Adam Reinke are both sought after by clients for their class action, mass tort and general product liability capacities, while Livia Kiser  highly active in vehicle component disputes. Ilana Saltzbart ‘s practice focuses on environmental regulation and enforcement defence. Susan Vargas is experienced in catastrophic injury and safety litigation.