Cécile Burgess
Addleshaw GoddardAddleshaw Goddard‘s product liability and safety team is able to offer a one-stop-shop service to clients, from regulatory issues to global product recalls and high-value product liability claims. The practice has a history of defending clients in significant group product liability litigation, with notable recent highlights including assisting a major multinational pharmaceutical company in a mass claim. Practice head Cécile Burgess utilises ’multi-jurisdictional and cross-sector expertise combined with a keen commercial acumen‘ to handle a wide variety of disputes, with an emphasis on claims in the life sciences, automotive, and retail and consumer sectors. Among the other key team members are Mark Chesher, David Young and Alex Hogarth, who are all notable for their commercial litigation expertise. Elaine Barker, who focuses on acting for life sciences clients, and Megan Goodman are also noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Undoubtedly a strength is that within their product liability expertise they can bring in regulatory expertise in their health and safety team to guide clients through any issues that may arise.'
‘Cécile Burgess is really flying as a partner and has established a solid portfolio of cases, often for international clients. Mark Chesher and Cécile both go a long way to understand a client's business and needs to offer the services they require. Elaine Barker has proved shrewd addition to the team. Megan Goodman makes a difference on any team she is working with.’
‘The product liability and safety team bring a sector-focussed expertise to their work. The team have extensive experience of big-ticket group litigation.'
‘Cécile Burgess is a highly talented lawyer and leader of the team. She has multi-jurisdictional and cross-sector expertise combined with a keen commercial acumen. She is recognised for her product recall experience while Mark is known for his strength on e-disclosure questions. Megan Goodman has an ability to master new instructions quickly and to see the big picture.’
‘Very good strength in depth from partner down to junior associate, coupled with sharp commercial acumen.’
‘Cécile Burgess is a standout star in the product liability field. She combines a fine intellect with strong commercial instincts. She's superb to work with.’
‘Genuine expertise and outstanding commitment to the case by all members of the team. They are very good litigators.’
‘Cécile Burgess, Mark Chesher and Megan Goodman are all outstanding, with great attention to detail and good litigation judgment.'
Key clients
- 70 BMW/MINI dealerships
- Department for Business and Trade (UK Government)
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Britvic plc
- Diageo
- KEMET Electronics Corporation
- Weyerhaeuser Company
- Tropicana
- Haribo
Work highlights
- Advising BMW/MINI dealerships in the defence of potential claims being brought on behalf of over 44,000 potential customers.
- Advising the Department for Business and Trade on the settlement of 499 compensation claims.
- Acting for KEMET Electronics Corporation as defendant in a multi-million-pound claim that has been issued in the Technology and Construction Court by multiple entities in the ZF Group.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Mark Chesher
Addleshaw GoddardPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Cécile Burgess