Led from Atlanta by Susan Clare and fielding practitioners from other nationwide offices, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, King & Spalding LLP‘s automotive and transport litigation team has the expertise and resources to handle complex product liability and mass action cases for clients throughout the country. Appreciated for its deep knowledge, technical skills and outstanding litigation strategy and execution, the team regularly serves as strategic counsel for major automotive manufacturers facing potential reputational damage from litigation. The group’s comprehensive knowledge of the automotive subject matter and its evolving technology ensures that it is well-equipped to effectively handle all elements of trial work. Alongside Geoffrey Drake, who is also based in Atlanta, Clare continues to act as coordinating counsel for GM’s consumer litigation, consisting of a docket of approximately 6,000 plus breach of warranty and consumer fraud lawsuits. New York-based John Hooper is another key member of the team whose class action expertise encompasses work throughout the litigation life cycle, from pre-litigation and risk management expertise, through to trial and appeal. Hooper has longstanding ties with Toyota, which he continues to act as strategic counsel across a myriad of product liability and class action cases pending in various nationwide courts.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Key clients

  • American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
  • AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA
  • Ford Motor Company
  • General Motors LLC
  • Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
  • Tesla, Inc.
  • Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
  • Volkswagen

Work highlights

  • Representing Toyota in product liability and class action litigation, including in most of the currently active class action cases pending in various courts nationwide, including actions alleging defective batteries, airbags, roof rail systems, HVAC systems, Denso fuel pumps and inverters, among others.
  • Representing General Motors as lead counsel in various high-profile, high-exposure class action litigation matters throughout the country.
  • Representing Volkswagen in high-profile multidistrict litigation involving allegations of defective driver and front passenger airbag inflators, several class actions involving emissions warranties and multiple product liability matters involving catastrophic injuries.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Susan Clare

Other key lawyers

John Hooper, Jacquie Seidel, Alexander Calfo, Geoffrey Drake, Eric Gladbach, Livia Kiser, Susan Vargas, Madison Kitchens, Adam Reinke, Jessica Shook, Anneke Shepard