McDermott Will & Schulte‘s comprehensive toxic tort offering includes expertise in natural resource damage claims, environmental contamination litigation, and herbicide exposure allegations. Anthony Upshaw has substantial experience advising clients on product liability defenses, class actions, and mass torts, including defending Monsanto in the Roundup glyphosate-based herbicide litigation. New York-based James Pardo demonstrates strength in handling cases involving serious environmental concerns, such as violations of hazardous waste regulations and clean air laws. Also in New York, Lisa Gerson is sought after by chemical, energy, and technology companies, including representing ExxonMobil in environmental and natural resources damages litigation, while Jennifer Filippazzo excels in product liability and environmental claims. Krista Reed is another key name in the New York team. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘McDermott has a deep bench of highly skilled lawyers who offer practical counsel, and take into account business needs and strategies.’
- ‘Lisa Gerson is my key contact at McDermott. She is always responsive, meets or beats deadlines, and provides high-quality and insightful work.'
- 'Lisa Gerson's legal counsel integrates the business' needs and strategic goals, and she distills complicated fact patterns and related guidance so the business can understand what actions need to be taken and the path forward.’
- ‘McDermott has shown strong leadership, both on the strategy and advocacy fronts.’
- ‘James Pardo, Lisa Gerson, and Krista Reed are a formidable team.'
Key clients
- American Petroleum Association
- Bayer
- BDO
- DECRA Roofing Systems
- Monsanto/ Bayer
- NCAA
Work highlights
Advising Monsanto in nationwide products liability and public nuisance mass tort actions alleging injury and environmental contamination arising from the manufacture and sale of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
Representing Monsanto/Bayer in nationwide mass tort litigation that involved over 130,000 claims alleging that exposure to the company’s glyphosate-based herbicide, Roundup, caused non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Serving as lead strategic and trial counsel for ExxonMobil on three mass tort environmental and product liability cases brought by New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, alleging natural resource damages from the company’s historical use of MTBE in gasoline.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Anthony Upshaw
Other key lawyers
James Pardo; Lisa Gerson; Jennifer Filippazzo; Krista Reed