Arnold & Porter’s practice group serves as lead and national counsel in complex consumer products litigation, including tobacco, across the US and in jurisdictions such as Canada and the EU. The practice is jointly led by Anand Agneshwar and Daphne O’Connor. Agneshwar, based in New York, focuses on disputes involving acne treatment products, including allegations of benzene contamination and claims centered on failure to warn and labeling. In Washington, DC, O’Connor handles tobacco and e-vapor product litigation, serving as coordinating counsel in class actions and personal injury matters, and handling wrongful death claims alleging strict liability, negligence, and consumer fraud, including smoker claims filed in multiple state courts. Also in New York, Lori Leskin plays a leading role in MDLs involving hair products and talc, including allegations of cancer-related injuries, as well as class actions concerning home appliances alleged to emit harmful pollutants. Michelle Gillice, also in DC, advises Fortune 500 companies on CPSC investigations, product recalls, and compliance with federal consumer product safety requirements.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Key clients
- Altria Group and affiliates including Philip Morris USA
- Philip Morris USA
- Godrej Consumer Products Limited
- Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
- Galderma Laboratories, L.P.
- Atlantic Richfield
- Ornua Foods North America
- Nice-Pak / Costco
- Bayer
- Pfizer
Work highlights
Served as national counsel for Altria and Philip Morris USA in various class actions, public entity actions, AG actions, and personal injury cases related to e-vapor products by Juul Labs Inc.
Represented Galderma Laboratories, L.P. in class action litigation that alleges that Galderma’s acne treatment Differin, with the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, is tainted with the carcinogen benzene.
Served as national counsel Bayer for the ongoing litigation involving the legacy Monsanto product Roundup.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Michelle Gillice
Practice head
Anand Agneshwar; Daphne O'Connor
Other key lawyers
Lori Leskin; Michelle Gillice