Effective litigation
Effective litigation means managing uncertainty and risk. Good plaintiff lawyers know how to introduce doubt and magnify risk for defendants. The end result for a defendant can be spiraling transactional costs and ever-larger settlements.
Some defendants have responded by hiring vast and expensive teams of lawyers. However, without extensive trial experience, economics rather than the law can ultimately dictate the course of action. Porter & Hedges mass tort litigators possess not only a wealth of experience—in and out of the courtroom—but also the ability, flexibility and commitment to protect our client’s vital interests and be cost-efficient at the same time.
The best defense involves assessing risk and working to shift it to the other side where possible. While some defendants may consider settling as a prudent course of action, this may not always be the right decision. Our lawyers are experienced at preparing for any and all situations, at every step of the proceedings, even those that may arise on the eve of trial. By anticipating such situations, we are able to protect our clients from the potential for massive verdicts.
Clients want a formidable legal team for a strong defense, not simply an army of lawyers. Porter & Hedges’ litigation teams are lean by design. In jurisdictions across the U.S. we have a reputation for vigorously advocating for our clients’ positions—a reputation that rivals some of the largest law firms in the country.
You need Porter & Hedges
If you face a lawsuit over environmental pollution or alleged hazardous substances or products, you need the kind of mass tort representation we can provide. Our lawyers have handled highly complex cases in multidistrict and class action litigation, and apply their trial and negotiating skill, case management expertise and technical knowledge to resolve the matter in the way that works best for you. We aggressively present a knowledgeable yet practical defense that humanizes your position and makes it understandable against plaintiffs’ emotional appeals.
Representative examples of the solutions we provide
- Serving as trial counsel for a major oil company in a wrongful death case involving claims that workplace exposure to benzene had caused the plaintiff to develop and die from acute myelogenous leukemia. The case was tried to a defense verdict after a jury trial in which, for the first time, benzene "fingerprint" evidence was introduced.
- Defending a manufacturer of asbestos pipe and block insulation in 10 consolidated cases involving lung cancer, asbestosis and colorectal cancer; our client in these cases was the only involved party who did not settle, and we tried them to a defense jury verdict.
- Representing a pesticide manufacturer in connection with claims of organic brain syndrome, cognitive impairment and cancer.
Facing a skeptical news media, a strident plaintiff’s lawyer and a hostile jury in mass tort litigation is no time to hire the wrong counsel. You need Porter & Hedges for your defense. We have handled many mass tort claims involving multiple plaintiffs in single or related actions and use sophisticated management and state of the art technology to reduce costs and achieve success. | 
