Products Liability, Mass Torts and Consumer Class Actions

C&G’s Products Liability, Mass Torts & Consumer Class Actions group regularly leads the defense of complex, high-stakes litigation. Our attorneys are superb at finding the flaws in a case and getting it dismissed or meaningfully reduced in scope through motion practice, and we are equally skilled at negotiating favorable settlements and developing innovative strategies for alternative dispute resolution where appropriate.  And if a case has to be tried – either as a matter of client strategy or because  plaintiffs will not accept a reasonable settlement – our brilliant, experienced trial lawyers have an impressive record of guiding clients through the pretrial and trial process and winning trials in courts throughout the United States and overseas.

Whether we are serving as trial counsel, national coordinating counsel, or in another role, our focus is on aligning our interests with those of our clients, resolving cases as efficiently as possible, and reducing our clients’ total exposure.

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Products Liability & Mass Torts

Representing a major university in connection with hundreds of claims of abuse by a physician formerly employed by the University that occurred decades ago, in which plaintiffs’ claims were revived by New York’s Child Victims Act.

Representing individual family members, owners and former directors of a large pharmaceutical company, in several product liability actions filed by consumers and government authorities in numerous states relating to the production and marketing of certain opioid drugs.

Represented a leading international cosmetics company in a products liability personal injury action brought in New York Supreme Court alleging insufficient product warning labels and product design defects, among other claims.

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Consumer Class Actions

Defended one of the largest Korean consumer product design and manufacturing companies in a products liability class action alleging breach of warranty, fraud, and violation of state consumer protection laws relating to purported defects in plasma televisions. Matter was dismissed with prejudice.

Defended one of the world’s largest multinational retailers in a putative class action alleging the retailer distributed, sold, and marketed products containing labels with material misrepresentations. Representation included defeating many pre-trial motions and resolving several discovery disputes.

Represented a major electronics company in consumer fraud class actions alleging fraud and false advertising claims regarding a laptop computer model, including successfully obtaining a motion to dismiss claims for injunctive relief and reaching an eventual resolution outside of court.

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The 2024 edition of Best Law Firms has named Cohen & Gresser to its national lists for white-collar criminal defense and securities litigation, and to its New York City metropolitan lists for white-collar criminal defense, product liability defense, and securities litigation.

The firm’s rankings are:

National Tier 2: Criminal Defense: White-Collar

National Tier 3: Litigation - Securities

Metropolitan (New York City) Tier 1: Criminal Defense: White-Collar; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants

Metropolitan (New York City) Tier 2: Litigation - Securities

Since 2010, Best Law Firms has conducted in-depth research analyzing feedback from clients and professional references, information submitted by firms, lawyer evaluations collected in conjunction with Best Lawyers, and interviews with industry leaders to rank and recognize firms for excellence in various practice areas.

Best Lawyers in America recognized 14 Cohen & Gresser lawyers in its newly-published 2024 guide. The publication—now in its 30th edition—evaluates and selects lawyers based entirely on peer review. The survey process is “designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.”

Six C&G attorneys are recognized by their peers as “Best Lawyers” in their practice areas:

Eight attorneys are recognized as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in their practice areas:

International law firm Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that ten of its New York-based lawyers have been recognized by their peers in the 2023 edition of the Best Lawyers in America. Selection in the 29th edition of the guide “is based entirely on peer review.” The survey process is “designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.”

Six C&G attorneys have been recognized by their peers as a “Best Lawyer” in their practice areas:

Four C&G attorneys have been recognized as “Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch” in their practice areas:
International law firm Cohen & Gresser today announced that leading litigator and trial lawyer Douglas J Pepe will join the firm as a partner in its New York office.

Doug brings over 20 years of experience representing corporations, financial services clients (including hedge funds and private equity funds), law firms, and other clients in complex commercial litigation. His practice focuses on high-stakes securities litigation, legal malpractice cases, insurance disputes, mass torts, class action defense, and legal issues in the blockchain and digital currency space.

“I’ve co-counseled with Cohen & Gresser in the past and am thrilled to be joining a talented team with exceptional trial capabilities, high-quality work, and excellent judgment,” said Doug. “I look forward to building my practice here and to working with my new colleagues around the world on complex commercial disputes, professional liability defense, and blockchain advisory work.”

Doug has successfully litigated tens of billions of dollars in claims involving a wide variety of complex issues, including playing a leading role on the Court-appointed Executive Committee charged with directing the subrogation and property damage claims arising out of the 9/11 terrorist attack.

“I’m delighted to welcome Doug to the firm,” said Lawrence T Gresser, co-founder and global managing partner of Cohen & Gresser. “We know him well and like and respect him very much. He is a first-rate litigator and will be integral in providing elite client service and guidance in areas that are important to our clients, including growing our commercial and securities litigation practices, our professional liability practice, and our blockchain and digital currency group.”

Prior to joining Cohen & Gresser, Doug was a partner at Joseph Hage Aaronson LLC, a preeminent litigation boutique. Doug is a member of the American Law Institute and a fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America. He also serves as a Professorial Lecturer in Law at The George Washington University School of Law, where he teaches blockchain law and technology.

U.S. News – Best Lawyers have once again recognized Cohen & Gresser among the Best Law Firms in the United States. As a testament to the firm’s capabilities and experience, the 2022 guide has honored Cohen & Gresser with multiple Tier 1 rankings in the New York region.

Cohen & Gresser has been nationally ranked as a Best Law Firm in two practice areas – Criminal Defense: White Collar and Commercial Litigation.

Additionally, the firm has been recognized in New York as a Best Law Firm in four practice areas – Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Commercial Litigation, and Litigation – Securities.

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that collects data from clients, professional references, and attorneys currently recognized as Best Lawyers.

View the complete results of C&G’s rankings.

Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce that 35 of the firm's New York and Washington D.C.­based attorneys have been named to the 2020 Super Lawyers List across a wide range of practice areas. C&G co-­founder Mark S Cohen and partners Jonathan S Abernethy and Daniel H Tabak have also been named to the Super Lawyers list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg has been recognized as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.
U.S. News - Best Lawyers has once again recognized Cohen & Gresser among the Best Law Firms in the United States in its 2021 guide. C&G received national recognition as a Best Law Firm for Criminal Defense: White Collar and Commercial Litigation. The firm was also recognized as a New York Best Law Firm in four practice areas: Criminal Defense: White Collar, Commercial Litigation, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Litigation – Securities.

Mark S Cohen, Jonathan S Abernethy, Jason Brown, C Evan Stewart, and Thomas E Bezanson were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America‘s 2021 New York listings. Mark, Jonathan, and Jason were recognized for white collar criminal defense; Evan for securities litigation; and Tom for commercial litigation and product liability litigation defense. Additionally, Sharon L Barbour, Winnifred A Lewis, and Nicole Dhir were recognized in the New York list of The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch. Sharon was recognized for white collar criminal defense; Winnifred for commercial litigation; and Nicole for commercial litigation and securities litigation.

U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have recognized Cohen & Gresser as a National Best Law Firm for white collar criminal defense and as a New York Best Law Firm for white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation, and product liability litigation defense. The Best Law Firms rankings are based on an in-depth review process and recognize professional excellence and strong ratings from clients and peers.
We are pleased to announce that 33 of our New York and Washington D.C.-based C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also selected C&G co-founder Mark S Cohen and partners Jonathan S Abernethy and Daniel H Tabak to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partner Karen H Bromberg to its list of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area.
Mark S Cohen, Jason Brown, C Evan Stewart, and Thomas E Bezanson were recognized in The Best Lawyers in America's 2020 New York listings. Mark and Jason were recognized for white collar criminal defense; Evan for securities litigation; and Tom for commercial litigation and product liability litigation defense.
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have recognized Cohen & Gresser as a New York Best Law Firm for white collar criminal defense, commercial litigation, and product liability litigation defense. The Best Law Firms rankings are based on an in-depth review process, and recognize professional excellence and strong ratings from clients and peers.
We are pleased to announce that thirty of our New York and Washington, D.C.-based C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also selected C&G co-founders Mark S Cohen and Lawrence T Gresser to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partners Karen H Bromberg and Alexandra Wald as two of its top 50 women lawyers in New York. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in the U.S. receive this honor.
Mark S Cohen and Thomas E Bezanson were recognized in Best Lawyers in America's 2019 New York listings – Mark for white collar criminal defense and Tom for commercial litigation and product liability litigation defense. This is the sixth year in a row Mark has been recognized by Best Lawyers, a publication that completes a rigorous survey process, compiling confidential evaluations from top attorneys in their fields.
Twenty-eight of our New York and Washington D.C.-based Cohen & Gresser attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also named C&G co-founding partner Mark S Cohen to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and partners Karen H Bromberg and Alexandra Wald to its top 50 women lawyers in New York list. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in the U.S. receive this honor.
Mark S Cohen and Thomas E Bezanson were recognized in Best Lawyers in America's 2018 New York listings – Mark for white collar criminal defense and Tom for commercial litigation and products liability litigation defense. This is the fifth year in a row Mark has been recognized by Best Lawyers, a publication that completes a rigorous survey process, compiling confidential evaluations from top attorneys in their fields.
We are pleased to announce that twenty-two of our New York-based C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in New York receive this honor.
We are pleased to announce that twenty-four C&G attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers this year across a wide range of practice areas. Super Lawyers also named C&G co-founding partner Mark S Cohen to its list of the top 100 lawyers in the New York metropolitan area, and C&G partner Karen H Bromberg to its list of the top 50 women lawyers in the New York metropolitan area. Super Lawyers ranks outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Fewer than five percent of all lawyers in New York receive this honor. View all rankings
Cohen & Gresser is pleased to announce the promotion of Mark Spatz to Counsel.
This article outlines some considerations to keep in mind in identifying jurors who may be more or less receptive to common trial themes in health care industry cases.  Topics include juror attitudes toward industry and the medical profession, views of government and its role in health care, and more general personality traits and methodologies that may influence jurors’ analysis of key recurring issues.
This article unveils the importance of the courts declaring contradictory testimony a “sham” as opposed to deferring such issues to juries.