John F. O’Brien III, an accomplished litigator with 10 years of experience representing food and beverage companies in class action and product liability matters, has joined McGuireWoods in the firm’s Atlanta office.
O’Brien represents food manufacturers, restaurants, retailers and other clients in litigation arising from product recalls, foodborne illness outbreaks, labeling challenges, unfair competition claims and intellectual property matters. He advises clients on federal regulations regarding product imports and handles internal investigations and product recalls. O’Brien comes to McGuireWoods as counsel in the Environmental, Products and Mass Tort Litigation Department from Lewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith.
“John has represented clients in a broad range of litigation matters facing the food and beverage industry, from labeling and marketing of products to actions involving foodborne illness outbreaks,” said Stephen Busch, co-chair of McGuireWoods’ Environmental, Products and Mass Tort Litigation Department. “We are delighted to welcome him to the group.”
“In addition to his litigation experience, John advises clients on risk management procedures surrounding product recalls and internal investigations when the stakes for civil and criminal liability are higher than ever,” added Angela Spivey, managing partner of the firm’s Atlanta office and co-deputy chair of the food and beverage industry team.
“McGuireWoods has a robust team of distinguished litigators who advise clients in the food and beverage and retail industries and I am excited to work with them,” O’Brien said.
With more than 60 lawyers, McGuireWoods’ Environmental, Products and Mass Tort Litigation Department has been regarded as a leader in the field for 35 years. McGuireWoods was one of just three firms to earn the elite Powerhouse ranking for product liability litigation in BTI Litigation Outlook’s 2016 Litigation Powerhouse survey.
McGuireWoods’ 90-lawyer food and beverage team provides transactional, litigation and regulatory services for some of the biggest food and beverage manufacturers, distributors and retailers. The firm received nationwide Products Liability & Mass Torts and Food and Beverage rankings in the 2016 edition of “Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.”