Extensive trial experience and true diversity set apart our Products Liability, Toxic Exposure & Environmental Litigation practice.
Whether working with in-house counsel, outside coordinating counsel, insurers or as coordinating defense counsel, our attorneys have a long record of success in novel, jury and bench trial settings. We represent clients in high-stakes litigation, aggressively defending claims, counseling clients on risk management techniques and providing regulatory representation. Six trial lawyers in our core group are recognized among "The Best Lawyers in America," and many have achieved recognition as Maryland "Super Lawyers" for their skill in defending products liability, toxic tort, environmental contamination and medical device claims. Reflecting their recognized talents, this team includes the first African-American President of the Maryland State Bar Association, a past President of Maryland Defense Counsel and the firm's former Managing Partner.
Our track record in shaping the legal terrain of products and toxics litigation in the trial courts, in appellate decisions and in the legislature, is well known. We have served as lead trial counsel in two of the nation's largest consolidated mass tort trials. In a series of appellate decisions, our attorneys shaped Maryland's products liability law, most notably convincing the state's highest court to adopt one of the most stringent standards for punitive damages in the country. As a result of our efforts, punitive damages are practically unheard of in toxic tort litigation in Maryland. Our trial lawyers have represented numerous potentially responsible parties in CERCLA, mass tort and various environmental claims, securing vindication through summary judgment, successful Daubert challenges to opposing experts, and trial verdicts.
We also have a breadth of experience litigating cases under all of the major federal environmental statutes and many of their state counterparts, in federal district and appellate courts, state courts, and administrative tribunals across the country. Our attorneys have developed one of the leading FIFRA data compensation practices (AAA arbitrations concerning data compensation requirements under the federal pesticide law). Our experience includes, for example, conducting internal corporate compliance investigations, defending government enforcement actions, handling citizen suits, representing business associations and coalitions in challenges to EPA rulemakings, serving as counsel in a 60-day CERCLA cost recovery action, and co-authoring an amicus brief to the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case concerning the EPA’s authority to regulate greenhouse gases. We have also represented property owners as plaintiffs and defendants in judicial proceedings involving common law claims for property damage, and in challenges to administrative permit approvals.
Our proven experience in personal injury and property damage claims related to products and toxins extends beyond the courtroom. When in our clients' best interests, we pursue dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration. We also provide counsel on product-related bankruptcies, insurance coverage, risk-sharing through contracts, indemnity and contribution, claim management, product safety representation, and legislative issues affecting tort and liability laws.
The breadth of our industry experience includes matters involving:
For companies whose operations are subject to strict federal regulations – and particularly those that are facing or may be facing enforcement actions – take note. The U.S. Supreme Court may have just leveled the playing field. On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Supreme Court overturned a long-standing legal precedent that instructed courts to defer to federal agencies’ interpretations of ambiguous laws they administer. Instead, federal laws will be interpreted by the courts. Federal agencies will need to prove their cases, including enforcement actions where an arguably ambiguous statute is at issue. This is good news for businesses in the U.S.
Whiteford is pleased to announce that “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2025. Twenty-two of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, and the firm’s Bankruptcy, Construction and Labor & Employment litigation practices have been recognized with national Tier 1 rankings.
Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers, has announced that thirteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2024 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia (*new recognition in 2024).
Whiteford, Taylor and Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2023.
Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers, has announced that sixteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2023 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under Hotlist” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Whiteford, Taylor and Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2022. Twenty-one of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, and the firm’s bankruptcy and Construction Litigation practices have been recognized with national Tier 1 rankings. At the state level, new recognitions include Admiralty & Maritime Law, Nonprofit/Charities Law, Patent Law and Privacy and Data Security Law.
Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers has announced that sixteen Whiteford attorneys have been named 2022 “Litigation Stars,” “Future Stars,” “Labor and Employment Stars,” and “40 & Under Hotlist” in DC, Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Whiteford, Taylor and Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2021. Twenty-two of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, and the firm’s Bankruptcy and Environmental Law practices have been recognized with national Tier 1 rankings.
Benchmark Litigation, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers has announced that ten Whiteford attorneys have been named 2021 “Litigation Stars” and “Future Stars” in Maryland and Virginia.
Whiteford, Taylor and Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2020. Twenty of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, including two bankruptcy practices with national Tier 1 rankings. At the state level, an additional forty-two practices have been ranked in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and VA.
Earlier this year, Benchmark Litigation named Whiteford, Taylor & Preston its 2019 “Maryland Law Firm of the Year.” Today, the widely respected guide to leading litigation firms and lawyers has announced that a record eleven Whiteford attorneys have been named 2020 “Litigation Stars” and “Future Stars” in Delaware, Maryland and Virginia.
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2019. Eighteen of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, including two practices with national Tier 1 rankings: Litigation and Bankruptcy. At the state level, an additional forty-six practices have been ranked in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and VA.
Baltimore – Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded the firm exemplary rankings for 2018. Nineteen of the firm’s practices are ranked at the national level, including three practices with national Tier 1 rankings: Litigation, Bankruptcy and Real Estate. At the state level, an additional fifty practices have been ranked in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and VA.
Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that 41 of its attorneys are listed among the 2017 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Maryland and Kentucky joining the sixteen who were listed earlier this year in Delaware, D.C., Pennsylvania and Virginia.
The 2017 edition of U.S. News and World Report - Best Lawyers ® “Best Law Firms” has awarded Whiteford, Taylor & Preston LLP exemplary ratings in its seventh annual rankings of law firms.
Twenty of the firm’s practices were ranked at the national level, as well as thirty-seven in Maryland, ten in Washington, D.C., and two in Roanoke, VA.
Fifty-nine lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016 (copyright 2015 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices.
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP is very gratified to announce that the firm has once again received exemplary ratings in the fifth annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of law firms.
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP is very gratified to announce that the firm’s Product Liability group has been ranked in the top tier nationally by U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of law firms. Only 32 firms nationwide received this recognition.
Whiteford Taylor & Preston LLP is very gratified to announce that the firm has received exemplary ratings in the second annual U.S. News & World Report rankings of law firms. In Maryland, WTP was rated highly in 34 practice areas, more than any other firm in the state.
