Kazan Law is regarded by many as one of the best mesothelioma law firms in the U.S. Our firm specializes in asbestos and mesothelioma related lawsuits, settlements and Trust claims. We have earned numerous awards from our peers and the legal community at large since our practice began over 40 years ago.
Below are some of the firm’s recent awards and court case accomplishments.
7 Kazan Law Attorneys Named to Super Lawyers 2016
We are proud that seven attorneys from our mesothelioma law firm were named to Super Lawyers 2016 list. Super Lawyers chooses exceptional lawyers each year from roughly 70 practice areas. Each lawyer chosen has earned a high level of peer recognition and career accomplishment. The process for being selected involves extensive peer review and nomination, along with independent research. Partners Steven Kazan, David McClain, Joseph Satterley, Gordon Greenwood, and Justin Bosl were honored as Super Lawyers for 2016.
Super Lawyers features a Rising Stars category for attorneys under 40 with 10 years or less experience. Two Kazan Law attorneys were selected as Rising Stars–Michael Stewart and William Ruiz.
Kazan Law Earns Top Ranking for Wrongful Death Jury Verdict in CA
In 2014 Kazan Law earned a prestigious recognition from The Recorder, a highly regarded legal publication.
The Recorder acknowledged our firm’s $11,800,000 jury verdict in a wrongful death suit related to asbestos exposure as the top wrongful death jury verdict in the state of California for that year.
Represented by one of the firm’s partners, David McClain, the family of Gordon Bankhead won their case against Pneumo Abex LLC. This came after a separate $9 million award for punitive damages and an additional verdict of $1,470,000 for Mr. Bankhead’s past and future economic loss, and $1,500,000 for his pain and suffering. The jury also awarded his wife, Emily Bankhead $1,000,000 for her loss of her husband’s support and companionship.
Kazan Law Chosen for 2016’s Best Lawyers List
In 2016, Kazan Law attorneys were selected for the Best Lawyers list for in the areas of mass tort litigation and class action. Partners Steven Kazan and David McClain made the list for the tenth year in a row. Partner Denise Abrams was selected to the list for the fifth year in a row.
Best Lawyers describe the criteria for the award as follows: “Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer-review. The methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area. Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services.”
Kazan Law’s Precedent Setting Verdict Against Ford
On November 19, 2012, an Alameda County jury returned a $6,825,000 verdict against Ford Motor Company for Kazan Law clients Patrick and Sharon Scott. The jury found that Ford negligently exposed Mr. Scott to brake lining asbestos through the use of their products.
Ford appealed, arguing that Scott was a “sophisticated user” who should have known the dangers of Ford’s products. In a published opinion, Division One of the First Appellate District (No. A137975) first rejected Ford’s argument because Ford insisted that those dangers were not scientifically established when Scott was exposed. The opinion notes that there are different standards for what Scott as owner of a “local automotive business,” was expected to know compared to what Ford, a “large international business directly involved in the manufacture of the products” should have known.
The opinion also reinstates the Scotts’ claim for punitive damages, which the lower court had rejected because the law in Michigan, where Ford is headquartered, disallows punitive damages. The appeals court decided California law is what matters so that Ford would not get “a nationwide shield from punitive damage liability,” to sell defective products in California and every other state without fear of punishment.
The Scotts were represented by partners Joseph Satterley and Justin Bosl.The appellate case was led by Kazan Law of counsel Ted Pelletier.
“The Scott decision will help to protect all types of consumers in California because the availability of punitive damages will encourage all manufacturers to design safer products and share hazard information,” said Satterley. “It should not matter whether a manufacturer is from California or some other state or country.”
U.S Chamber of Commerce Adds Kazan Law to “Top 15 Asbestos Litigation Firms” List
Out of hundreds of law firms in the U.S., Kazan Law was added to the list of Top Plaintiffs’ Firms for Asbestos Litigation published by the US Chamber of Commerce. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, headquartered in Washington D.C., traditionally sides with the defendants so receiving a spot on this list is a double distinction.
Kazan Law’s $27 Million Mesothelioma Verdict Makes National Law Journal’s Top 100 Verdicts for 2013
We are very proud of our June 5, 2013 mesothelioma verdict which completed the award to Kazan Law clients Rose-Marie and Martin Grigg for a total of $27,342,500. This award made The National Law Journal’s elite list of Top 100 Verdicts for 2013.
Kazan Law Wins Guardian of Justice Award
The Alameda County Bar Association recognized Kazan Law with the Guardian of Justice Award in 2013. We are proud to be one of a handful of regional law firms acknowledged for our support of services that provide:
- Monthly clinics in the areas of family law, domestic violence, bankruptcy, debt collection defense, guardianship, immigration, and landlord-tenant disputes.
- Pairing of clients with qualified pro bono attorneys who handle complex pro bono cases.
- Training, mentoring and malpractice insurance to volunteer attorneys, paralegals, and law school graduates.