Warren N. Weaver

Partner
blank image Warren N. Weaver

Warren N. Weaver

Partner
Baltimore T: 410.347.8757 F: 410.223.4177
download bio
download vcard
Warren N. Weaver

Warren N. Weaver

PARTNER
wweaver@whitefordlaw.com
BALTIMORE
T: 410.347.8757
F: 410.223.4177
Biography
BIOGRAPHY

An experienced trial lawyer, Mr. Weaver is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an elective body limited to 1% of the trial lawyers in each of the states of the United States and the provinces of Canada, "who are outstanding and considered the best in a state or province."

For over thirty years his practice has focused on the defense of companies, municipalities and other entities in high risk litigation. Mr. Weaver has represented clients in numerous state and federal courts across the United States, including courts in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Maryland, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He has significant first-chair trial experience in toxic tort, products liability, and a variety of other practice areas.

Recognitions

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2008–Present), Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants (2025); Baltimore Product Liability Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" (2015)
  • Maryland Super Lawyers®, Business Litigation (2008–Present)
  • AV Preeminent®: Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
  • Druid Hill Avenue YMCA, Black Achievers Award (1991)
 

Memberships & Activities

  • Fellow:  American College of Trial Lawyers
  • Former Co-Chair: Products Liability Section
  • Member: Maryland State Bar Association
  • Member: Monumental City Bar Association
  • Member: American Bar Association
  • Member: National Bar Association
  • Member: Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • Member: Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel
  • Civic Activities: Past Member: Board of Directors of the Maryland General Health Systems, Maryland General Hospital and Maryland General Community Health Foundation; Past Board Member of Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers, Inc. (MICPEL), Maryland Volunteer Lawyer Service, Baltimore Chapter of American Red Cross, Public Policy Committee of the Greater Baltimore Committee and Executive Committee of the Maryland Association of Defense Trial Counsel; served on Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners (1986-90)
  • Clerk to the Honorable Joseph C. Howard, United States District Court for the District of Maryland (1982 - 1984)

Products Liability, Toxic Exposure & Environmental Litigation

  • Represents manufacturers and sellers in product defect litigation, especially involving toxic exposure and mass liability claims.
  • Extensive first-chair trial experience defending asbestos personal injury actions. 
  • Serves as one of the national trial lawyers in asbestos litigation for a major automotive manufacturer.
  • Asbestos trial experience in the District of Columbia, Louisiana, Missouri, New York, and Pennsylvania. 
  • Represented a petroleum company in several environmental contamination claims including a class action complaint alleging groundwater contamination from MTBE. 
 

Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation

  • Extensive experience representing manufacturers and sellers in mass tort and class action litigation, including first-chair trial experience in defending a contracting company in one of the first asbestos mass consolidations.
  • Served as national coordinating defense counsel for a company sued in over 20,000 asbestos personal injury claims.
 

Other Litigation

  • Served as lead trial counsel in the successful defense of two Baltimore City police officers in a lawsuit tried in United States District Court, alleging multiple federal and state constitutional violations. 
  • Served as lead counsel for the Baltimore City Public School System in a successful challenge under Maryland’s Constitution to the state’s funding of public education in Baltimore City.
  • Served as lead council for the Baltimore City Public School System in a lawsuit involving the Maryland Public Charter School Law.
  • Trial counsel in the successful defense of the City of Baltimore and its housing authority in a federal class action housing discrimination lawsuit.
  • Served as trial counsel on behalf of the Baltimore City Public School System and several private employers defending employment discrimination claims.
 

Lead Paint

  • Represented property owners in lawsuits involving personal injury claims.
 

Appellate

Notable appeals include:

  • Eagle Pitcher, et al v. Balbos, et al., 84 Md. App. 10 (1990).  This appeal in a products liability asbestos case resulted in parts of the judgment being reversed.
  • ACandS, Inc., et al v. Godwin, 340 Md. 334 (1995).  This products liability asbestos case was the appeal of the 1992 consolidated asbestos trial. This appeal resulted in the reversal of the punitive damages judgment.
  • Owens Corning, et al v. Garrett, 343 Md. 500 (1996).  This was an appeal in a products liability asbestos case.
  • Maryland State Board of Education v. Bradford, et al, 387 Md. 353 (2005).  This appeal followed a lawsuit filed by several students and the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners against the State Board of Education, challenging Maryland’s public school funding formula.
  • City Neighbors Charter School v. Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners, 169 Md. App. 609 (2006).  This case involved a challenge by the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners to the public funding provided to public charter schools pursuant to the 2003 Maryland Public Charter Schools Act. Mr. Weaver represented the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.
  • Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners v. City Neighbors Charter School, 400 Md. 324 (2007).  This oral argument involved the same subject matter as the argument before the Court of Special Appeals.  Mr. Warren represented the Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners.  
  • Reiter v. ACandS, et al, 179 Md. App. 645 (2008).  This products liability asbestos case concerned the sufficiency of evidence necessary to establish substantial factor causation.  The Court of Special Appeals affirmed the trial court’s entry of summary judgment in favor of Mr. Weaver’s client.
  • Reiter v. Pneumo Abex, 417 Md. 57 (2010).  In this case, the Court of Appeals upheld the Court of Special Appeals opinion in favor of Mr. Weaver’s client, the appellee.
  • St. Mary’s County v. Marcus, 415 Md. 676 (2010).  This appeal involved the interpretation of several sections of the Maryland Local Government Tort Claims Act.  Mr. Weaver represented St. Mary’s County.
December 15, 2023 - Honors & Awards

36 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that thirty-six of its attorneys are listed among the 2024 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
August 17, 2023 - Honors & Awards

A Record 87 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2024, Ten Selected as “Ones to Watch”

87 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 (copyright 2023 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). New practice areas of recognition include CleanTech Law and Entertainment and Sports Law. The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the Best Lawyers website, at bestlawfirms.com.
August 18, 2022 - Honors & Awards

73 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2023, Six Selected as “Lawyer of the Year”

73 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2023 (copyright 2022 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, D.C. offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.
December 17, 2021 - Honors & Awards

43 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that forty-three of its attorneys are listed among the 2022 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in D.C., Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
August 19, 2021 - Honors & Awards

75 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2022, Eight Named “Ones to Watch”

A record 75 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2022 (copyright 2021 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.
December 15, 2020 - Honors & Awards

48 Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that forty-eight of its attorneys are listed among the 2021 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in D.C., Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia
August 20, 2020 - Honors & Awards

71 Whiteford Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2021, Six Named “Lawyer of the Year”

A record 71 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2021 (copyright 2020 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.
August 15, 2018 - Honors & Awards

57 WTP Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2019, Four Named "Lawyer of the Year"

57 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2019 (copyright 2018 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Washington offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site.
August 15, 2017 - Honors & Awards

59 WTP Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America 2018, Two Named "Lawyer of the Year"

59 lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2018 (copyright 2017 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices. Client comments are posted on the U.S. News & Best Lawyers web site, at bestlawfirms.com.

In addition, two lawyers were selected as “Lawyer of the Year” for their particular areas of practice.

August 15, 2016 - Honors & Awards

59 Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America, 2017, Eight Named as "Lawyers of the Year"

Fifty-nine lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017 (copyright 2016 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices.

In addition, eight lawyers were selected as “Lawyers of the Year” for their particular areas of practice. 

August 20, 2014 - Honors & Awards

63 Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Four Named as "Lawyers of the Year"

Sixty-three lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015 (copyright 2014 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices.

In addition, four lawyers were selected as “Lawyers of the Year” in the Baltimore region for their particular areas of practice.

February 11, 2014 - Honors & Awards

Fifty-Four Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Maryland

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that 54 of its Maryland-based attorneys are listed among the 2014 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

The firm is particularly proud of the young lawyers who are recognized as “Rising Stars” and the three partners who received special recognition -- Edward Buxbaum and Dwight Stone in the Top 100, and Mary Claire Chesshire in the Top 50 Women.

August 15, 2013 - Honors & Awards

61 Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America; Nine Named as "Lawyers of the Year"

Sixty-one lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2014 (copyright 2013 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.). The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices, including the firm's new Roanoke office.

In addition, nine lawyers were selected as “Lawyers of the Year” in their jurisdictions and areas of practice.

December 31, 2012 - Honors & Awards

Sixty-Four Whiteford Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that 64 of its attorneys are listed among the 2013 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in three states.

The firm is particularly proud of the young lawyers who are recognized as “Rising Stars”; the four partners who are listed in the Top 100 in Maryland – Edward Buxbaum, Edwin Fee, William Ryan, and Dwight Stone; and the 16 who are named for the first time this year.

October 17, 2012 - Honors & Awards

60 Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Listed in Best Lawyers in America Five Named as "Lawyers of the Year"

Sixty lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 (copyright 2012 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken S.C.).

This represents an increase of seven over last year.  The lawyers selected are based in the firm’s Maryland, Washington and Virginia offices.

In addition, five lawyers were selected as “Lawyers of the Year” in their jurisdictions and areas of practice.

December 20, 2011 - Honors & Awards

Forty-Six Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Named Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in Maryland; Five in Maryland Listed in “Top 100”

Whiteford, Taylor & Preston is pleased to announce that 46 of its attorneys are listed among the 2012 Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars.

The firm is particularly proud of the five who are listed in the Top 100 in Maryland – Edward Buxbaum, Edwin Fee, Paul Nussbaum, William Ryan, and Dwight Stone. Selection of the Top 100 lawyers in a jurisdiction is strictly based on the highest scores in the Super Lawyer judging process, and Whiteford is one of the two firms with the most names on the list.
April 18, 2008 - News

Warren Weaver Appointed As DRI's Maryland Representative

Warren N. Weaver, a partner at Whiteford, Taylor & Preston, has been appointed the Maryland representative to the Diversity Committee of the Defense Research Institute (DRI). DRI -- The Voice of the Defense Bar, is the national organization of more than 22,000 defense trial lawyers and corporate counsel. The Diversity Committee is tasked with increasing representation of minority and female lawyers in the defense bar.

September 11, 2007 - Honors & Awards

26 Whiteford, Taylor & Preston Attorneys Named Best Lawyers in America

Twenty-six lawyers from Whiteford, Taylor & Preston were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2008 (Copyright 2007 by Woodward/White, Inc., of Aiken, S.C.) This represents an increase of 13% from prior listings.

January 7, 2005 - News

Whiteford Wins Nationally Significant Housing Case for the City of Baltimore and Its Citizens

After a decade of protracted litigation culminating in a month-long federal court trial, the United States District Court yesterday ruled completely in favor of the City of Baltimore and its housing authority. In rejecting the class action claims brought by the ACLU, the Court found that "the Baltimore City leadership of the post-Brown era deserves accolades, not criticism."