J. Tracy Walker, IV Partner

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Tracy Walker serves full time as managing partner of McGuireWoods. Before becoming managing partner, he served as national trial, class action and appellate counsel for a number of manufacturer clients, including some of the world’s largest automakers. He focused his practice on product liability, consumer class action and commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels and handled complex matters in jurisdictions throughout the country, trying cases to verdict in numerous states.

Mr. Walker’s many accolades over 30-plus years of practice include recognition in Chambers, Legal 500 and The Best Lawyers in America.

Experience

  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in the Court of Appeals of
    New York in mesothelioma wrongful-death action. Judgment for defendant
    notwithstanding the verdict affirmed (2018).
  • Lead defense counsel in consolidated consumer class actions filed in the U.S.
    District Courts for the Southern District of West Virginia and the District of
    South Carolina alleging that vehicles are prone to unwanted acceleration events.
    Summary judgment for defendant (2017).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in the Supreme Court of New York, Appellate Division, in mesothelioma wrongful-death action. Judgment for defendant notwithstanding the verdict affirmed (2017).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in Virginia Supreme Court in product liability action resulting in $20 million verdict. Reversed and final judgment for manufacturer (2016).
  • Lead defense counsel in consolidated consumer class actions alleging engine performance issues against automobile manufacturer in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Summary judgment for defendant (2016).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit in class action alleging premature failure of vehicle axles. Summary judgment for manufacturer affirmed (2016).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in Virginia Supreme Court in wrongful-death action resulting in $14 million verdict. Reversed and final judgment for manufacturer based on improper admission of expert testimony (2015).
  • Lead defense counsel in consumer class action against automobile manufacturer in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Summary judgment for defendant (2014).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in Maryland Court of Appeals in mesothelioma case (2013).
  • Lead appellate counsel for gas control valve manufacturer in U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit. Exclusion of expert witness and summary judgment for manufacturer affirmed (2013).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in Virginia Supreme Court in wrongful-death action. Exclusion of evidence and summary judgment for manufacturer affirmed (2013).
  • Lead appellate counsel for automobile manufacturer in Virginia Supreme Court in mesothelioma case. Jury verdict for plaintiff reversed (2013).
  • Lead defense counsel in consumer class actions against automobile manufacturer in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Class certification denied (2012).
  • Lead defense counsel in products liability action against gas control valve manufacturer, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, arising from propane explosion and resulting catastrophic injuries. Summary judgment granted as to all claims (2012).
  • Lead appellate counsel for a power company in environmental permitting case in Virginia Supreme Court (2011) and Virginia Court of Appeals (2012). Issuance of permit affirmed.
  • Lead appellate counsel for a construction company in $20 million breach-of-contract case in Virginia Supreme Court (2010) and Virginia Court of Appeals (2012). Judgment affirmed in part and reversed in part.
  • Lead trial counsel in wrongful-death action against automobile manufacturer tried in the Court of Common Pleas of Pike County, Pennsylvania. Defense verdict (2011).
  • Lead trial counsel in wrongful-death action against automobile manufacturer tried in the Circuit Court of Mays County, Oklahoma. Plaintiff nonsuit at trial (2011).
  • Lead defense counsel in consumer class action filed against automobile manufacturer in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland. Class certification denied (2011).
  • Lead appellate counsel for pork producer in Missouri Court of Appeals in consolidated nuisance actions arising from farming operations (2011).
  • Defense counsel in consumer class action filed against smoke alarm manufacturer in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Motion to dismiss with prejudice granted (2011).
  • Lead defense counsel in consumer class action filed against automobile manufacturer in the Circuit Court of Escambia County, Florida. Summary judgment granted as to all claims (2010).
  • Appellate counsel in Virginia Supreme Court for a power company in $500 million breach-of-contract action (2009).
  • Lead trial counsel in wrongful-death action against automobile manufacturer tried in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. Defense verdict (2009).
  • Lead trial counsel in wrongful-death action against automobile manufacturer tried in the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Kentucky. Defense verdict (2009).
  • Lead trial counsel in wrongful-death action against smoke alarm manufacturer tried in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama. Hung jury and mistrial (2008).