R. Trent Taylor

National coordinating and trial counsel for Fortune 100 chemical manufacturer in public nuisance litigation in various jurisdictions nationwide (including California, Missouri, Rhode Island, Maryland, and Texas) relating to the historic manufacture and sale of lead-based paints for the last 15 years.

Defense of Fortune 200 utility in a multibillion nuisance suit alleging air and water contamination on behalf of more than 450 plaintiffs. Achieved dismissal of the 12 causes of actions, as well as all of the water contamination allegations, the medical monitoring, stigma, fear of future injury, and emotional injury damages.

Defense of multiple defendants in environmental contamination class action public nuisance lawsuit seeking damages related to climate change. Achieved dismissal of case at trial court level.

Defense of numerous other environmental contamination lawsuits including personal injury and property damage suits related to fuel oils, carbon monoxide, benzene, silica, asbestos, and radioactive elements.

Nationwide defense of major food manufacturer and multiple retailers in adulterated food personal injury claims arising in connection with highly publicized food recalls, including more than 600 cases in 24 states, and 20,000 individual claims. Our team:

• Managed more than 75 attorneys, including seven coordinating attorneys and 27 local counsel firms.
• Established an MDL and transferred  375 cases into it.
• Removed approximately 300 cases to federal court.
• Prevailed in defeating class certification.
• Prevailed on 85% of the more than 600 motions filed.
• Dispositive motions (including motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment) were granted in more than 100 cases, dismissing more than 500 plaintiffs.
• Prevailed in all four of the cases that went to trial.
• Prevailed on every appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

Represented major food manufacturer in novel labeling claim seeking class action injunctive relief that would have forced food producers selling meat products to warn consumers that the products may cause cancer. Prevailed on motion to dismiss.

Representation of global client in criminal investigation related to allegedly contaminated food products.

Defense of pharmaceutical company as national counsel in multidistrict litigation involving tens of thousands of suits. Defense of individual drug product liability suits in state and federal courts at all stages of litigation, including discovery proceeedings, at trial, and on appeal. Assisted in negotiating, drafting, implementing, and defending $3.8 billion nationwide settlement agreement.

Argued and briefed numerous appeals on variety of issues, including appeals before the highest courts of nine states and four federal circuit courts.

Fox Rest Associates, L.P. v. Anne B. Little, et al., 282 Va. 277, 717 S.E.2d 12 2011 Va. LEXIS 183 (2011). Argued appeal on behalf of Fox Rest. Court reversed trial court's judgment granting the defendants' motion to strike and remanded for trial, holding that Fox Rest presented sufficient evidence in its in chief to establish a prma facie case for its claims of fraudulent conveyance and voluntary conveyance.

Godoy v. E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. 319 Wis.2d 91, 768 N.S. 2d 674 (2009): Personal injury claim against former manufacturers of lead pigment seeking damages for alleged cognitive deficits and behavioral problems. Briefed appeal before the Wisconsin Supreme Court on behalf of all defendants. Court unanimously affirmed in favor of client and dismissed design defect claim.

Comer v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., Cause NO. 1 11CV220-LG-RHW, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 39580 (S.D. Miss. March 20, 2012). Court granted motion to dismiss in climate change public nuisance litigation as to all defendants.

Kidd v. ConAgra Foods, Inc. MDL Docket No. 1845, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 2725 (N.D. Ga January 9, 2012). Court granted summary judgment to defendants in adulterated food lawsuit.

Ahrens v. ConAgra Foods, Inc. C.A. file 108-CV-3693, 2011 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 28849 (N.D. Ga March 17, 2011). Court granted summary judgment to defendants in adulterated food lawsuit.

In re ConAgra Peanut Butter Prods, Liab. Litig., MDL Docket No. 1845, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 136474 (N.D. Ga. Dec. 16, 2010). Court granted summary judgment to defendants in adulterated food lawsuit.