Sidley Austin LLP’s product liability and mass tort practice, led by Heidi Levine and Jennifer Saulino, represents manufacturers and consumer brands in class actions and coordinated proceedings nationwide. Saulino, in Washington DC, defends litigation challenging the manufacturing and marketing of so-called ultra-processed foods, alleging links to type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Ian Ross in Miami handles class actions arising from voluntary food recalls alleging false advertising and negligence. Michelle Ramirez in Chicago co-leads talc litigation involving mesothelioma claims and defends consumer class actions concerning pet food labeling. Sarah Carlson in San Diego manages pre-suit class action demands involving PFAS and mislabeling claims. In Los Angeles, Judith Shophet Sidkoff advises on CPSC compliance and recall obligations, and Lisa Gilford defends alleged microplastics claims involving baby bottles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Sally Beauty Supply LLC
- Namaste Laboratories, LLC
- The Kraft Heinz Company
- Bayer AG and its subsidiary, Monsanto Company
- Petsmart, Inc.
- Sig Sauer, Inc.
- Medela, Inc.
Work highlights
Defended Sally Beauty Supply and Namaste, as lead national litigation coordinating counsel in the sprawling Hair Relaxer MDL pending in the Northern District of Illinois and several state coordinated actions.
Represented The Kraft Heinz Company in a groundbreaking product liability action challenging the manufacturing and marketing of so-called “ultra-processed foods” (“UPFs”).
Practice head
Heidi Levine; Jennifer Saulino
Other key lawyers
Judith Shophet Sidkoff; Ian Ross; Sarah Carlson; Michelle Ramirez