Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP

Drawing upon the firm’s acclaimed overarching trial skills and also benefiting from enhanced toxic tort and environmental subject matter expertise, following a number of key hires in recent years, including in its Missouri stronghold, Shook, Hardy & Bacon LLP continues to gain traction in the market, handling private and government-initiated cases involving toxins affecting air, land, groundwater and surface water. The firm has a ‘strong understanding of scientific and technical issues’, as well as forming the basis of many of the firm’s motion successes, regularly striking out the testimony of opposition expert witnesses. Kansas City-based litigator Brent Dwerlkotte is particularly adept at handling litigation involving complex scientific issues related to chemicals; he has been at the forefront of many of the firm’s highest-profile MDLs and class actions regarding alleged damage caused by PFAS contamination. Also based in Kansas, Dave Erickson has vast experience at handling class action and toxic tort litigation as well as environmental regulatory issues, including work relating to Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act proceedings. A ’strategic thinker’ with ‘tonnes of trial experience’, Adam Miller  in St Louis co-heads the team alongside Erickson following the recent retirement of Mark Anstoetter .