Consumer Class Actions and Mass Torts : Class Action Lawyer & Attorney : J. Russell Jackson : Skadden Law Firm : Complex Class Actions : Consumer Class Actions & Mass Torts Law Blog

I defend product manufacturers in class actions that allege the product is defective or the marketing is fraudulent. You can read my “official” biography on the Skadden website.

But this is my blog where we can chat informally, so here’s what the official bio doesn’t tell you. I’m a big city guy with small town sensibilities. Although I live near Times Square, my Southwest Missouri hometown had 5,000 residents. I like BBQ, boating, and the blues. And I’m a recovering Baptist: a minister’s son who now prefers his Manhattan – on the rocks, with a cherry, thank you.

From the moment I began first year torts, I knew I had to practice consumer class actions and mass tort litigation. These cases have all the elements of good drama. Notions of “right” and “wrong.” Arresting facts. Fascinating scientific details. And important public policy questions, such as: “Who should decide what medicines we can buy, twelve laymen or the scientists at the FDA?”

My clients have sold a variety of products, such as alcohol beverages, computers, breast implants, and life insurance. One of my clients was forced into bankruptcy by lawsuits that a court subsequently held had no scientific merit. And I have watched manufacturers stop making products rather than bear the cost of continued litigation.

From nearly 20 years’ experience, I’ve learned that class action rules and decisions affect consumers in the real world. I’ve studied these effects as a defense lawyer, an adjunct professor, a columnist, and a speaker. And now I look forward to exploring them with you in the blogosphere. I expect to learn a great deal from our continuing conversation about consumer class actions and mass torts.