Based in Washington DC, Williams & Connolly LLP’s practice draws on trial lawyers with extensive experience defending manufacturers in complex, high-exposure disputes. David Kurtzer-Ellenbogen advises consumer brands on claims alleging misleading marketing and fraud, including skincare products accused of concealing a potential carcinogen. Joseph Petrosinelli serves as lead and national counsel in MDLs involving baby food products allegedly containing trace heavy metals, firefighting foam accused of contaminating drinking water, and airbag inflators alleged to cause catastrophic injuries. He also handles claims against technology companies brought by individual plaintiffs and school districts alleging social media addiction. Heidi Hubbard acts as lead trial and coordinating counsel in matters involving alleged personal injuries from social media platforms. All three jointly lead the team. Stephen Raber represents food and pet care companies in consumer class actions challenging labeling and marketing practices. Paul Boehm left the practice in December 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Key clients
- Gerber Products Company
- Tyco Fire Products, LP
- UMB Bank
- Autoliv, Inc.
- Monsanto
- Mars, Inc.
- W.W. Grainger, Inc.
- Cardinal Health
- Google, Inc. and YouTube
- Coinbase
- Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp.
- Notre Dame
Work highlights
Represented Gerber Products Company in ongoing litigation involving the company’s baby food products, in which plaintiffs claim that baby food made by multiple manufacturers contained levels of heavy metals (lead, arsenic, and mercury) that caused childhood autism and ADHD.
Represented Tyco Fire Products in nationwide litigation involving chemicals contained in aqueous film-forming foams, a firefighting foam used at U.S. military bases and certain airports.
Represented Autoliv, Inc. in an MDL involving allegations that airbag inflator products manufactured by ARC and sold to Autoliv and other airbag suppliers were defectively designed such that they could cause catastrophic injuries when an airbag deploys.
Practice head
Heidi Hubbard; Joseph Petrosinelli; Edward Barnidge; David Kurtzer-Ellenbogen; David Forkner
Other key lawyers
Stephen Raber
