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PDFEric has been assigned as trial counsel throughout the country for Union Carbide Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company), Johnson & Johnson, and Exxon Mobil Corporation, including in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Virginia. Eric won multiple defense verdicts in mesothelioma cases, and several appeals. He has taken and/or defended well over a thousand depositions or examinations for trial purposes, including Dr. Abraham, Dr. Castleman, Dr. Compton, Dr. Ellenbecker, Dr. Emory, Dr. Finkelstein, Dr. Frank, Dr. Gordon, Dr. Haber, Dr. Longo, Dr. Kradin, Dr. Maddox, Dr. Mark, Dr. Markowitz, Dr. Moline, Dr. Rigler, Dr. Rosner, Dr. Webber, Dr. Zhang, and treating physicians. Eric is also well-versed with ovarian cancer litigation, including expert development, expert trial preparation and depositions.
In addition to depositions and trials, he is engaged in an ongoing basis for expert development, expert/scientific motions, and other substantive/dispositive motions practice. He has experience in cases involving: cosmetic talc, aircraft engines, boilers, bulk suppliers, electrical supply, floor tiles, friction products, gaskets, insulation, joint compound, mastics, packing, phenolic molding/plastics, premises, pumps, purifiers, valves, vessel owners, welding rods, wire and cable.
Prior to earning his law degree, Eric served as a Marine for 6 years, specializing in linguistics, intelligence analysis, and reconnaissance.
Practice Areas
Representative Experience
- Trial counsel for Johnson & Johnson in multi-week jury trial in Oklahoma state court alleging that Johnson’s Baby Powder causes mesothelioma. The matter was resolved following jury deliberations, but before a verdict was reached.
- Trial counsel for Johnson & Johnson in multi-week jury trial in South Carolina alleging that Johnson’s Baby Powder causes mesothelioma. The matter resulted in a hung jury.
- Member of national trial team for Union Carbide Corporation (a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company) and trial counsel in multiple jurisdictions throughout the country.
- Trial counsel for Exxon Mobil Corporation.
- Won defense verdicts in multiple pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma trials, both living and wrongful death cases.
- Routinely conducts Daubert and Frye depositions, examinations, briefing, and arguments; e.g. Rockman v. Union Carbide Corp., 266 F.Supp.3d 839 (D. MD. 2017); Yates v. Ford Motor Co., 113 F. Supp. 3d 841 (E.D.N.C. 2015).
- Lead counsel for defendant in mass tort litigation, ultimately leading to dismissal of more than 1,300 cases with $5.2 Billion in alleged liability.
- Lead counsel on brief and argument leading to dismissal of multi-million dollar lawsuit filed in Newport News Circuit Court due to one disease maritime statute of limitations.
- Trial counsel and lead role in preparing successful defense of Exxon Mobil Corporation in case of first impression in Virginia involving vessel owner liability under 33 U.S.C. 905(b).
- Member of successful appellate team in case of first impression in Virginia involving vessel owner liability under 33 U.S.C. 905(b).
- Successfully represented multiple plaintiffs in recovery of large percentage of money believed lost to Ponzi scheme.
Presentations
- Invited Speaker, Emerging Contaminants in Environmental Litigation, PFAS and AFFF, Perrin Conferences (March 2022)
- Invited Speaker, What are you “talcing” about: Cosmetic talc does not create occult asbestos exposure, DRI Talc Litigation Virtual Seminar (May 2021)
- Invited Speaker, Inside the Courtroom: Video Analysis and Reactions from the Attorneys Involved in an Asbestos Trial, Perrin Conferences (August 2020)
- Invited Speaker, Mesothelioma: Diagnostic and Causation Considerations, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2019)
- Invited Speaker, Presenting and Cross-Examining Industrial Hygiene and Epidemiological Experts, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2019)
- Invited Speaker, What You Need to Know About Asbestos Medicine, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2015)
- Invited Speaker, Causation in Relation to Asbestos Exposure v. Cigarette Smoking, Harris Martin Asbestos Litigation Conference: Emerging Issues in Lung Cancer Cases (October 2014)
- Invited Speaker, Position Statement on Asbestos from the Joint Committee of the Societies of Epidemiology (JPC-SE), June 4, 2012 and IARC Monographs on the Evaluation of the Carcinogenic Risk of Chemicals to Humans, Volume 100, A Review of Human Carcinogens, Part C: Arsenic, Metals, Fibres, and Dusts, 2012, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2013)
- Invited Speaker, Recent Developments in Products Liability and Torts Law, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys (May 2013)
- Contributing Author, Defending “Household,” Building, and Neighborhood Exposure Cases with Tenuous Nonoccupational Exposure Histories: A Review of Medical and Scientific Literature, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2013)
- Contributing Author, General Medical Considerations and Cross-Examining Plaintiffs’ Experts, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2012)
- Contributing Author, Fiber Burden: The Mastercard® of Asbestos Litigation, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2010)
- Contributing Author, The Defense of Peritoneal Mesothelioma Cases from A to Z, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2009)
- Contributing Author, Substantial Contributing Factor and Mesothelioma - How to Defeat Plaintiffs' Argument That Every Exposure Contributes, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2007)
- Contributing author, Proving Shares for Cross Claims and Including Absent Contributors in the Verdict, DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2004)