Practice Areas

Wiedner & McAuliffe attorneys are highly experienced in industry-wide and mass-tort class action litigation, having successfully defended companies in numerous federal and state court class actions across the country. Those companies represent a wide range of industries, including manufacturers of appliances, compressed gas tanks, heavy equipment, and welding consumables; pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors; construction companies; and firearms distributors.

Our attorneys are consistently trusted to serve as national, local, and lead counsel for several Fortune 500 companies and other well-recognized entities. The firm has built a particularly strong practice in defending businesses against product liability claims. For example, we have defended manufacturers and construction companies in individual and class action asbestos litigation, and we currently represent several pharmaceutical manufacturers and sellers in high-profile cases. In addition, our firm has been at the forefront of defending gun manufacturers and distributors from industry-wide lawsuits brought by cities as well as class actions by individuals.

Wiedner & McAuliffe resolves industry-wide and mass-tort claims in a way that works best for the client. Mindful of cost and exposure reduction strategies, the firm employs aggressive and effective defenses to decisively defeat these claims and prevent a flood of future litigation. When a class-action trial does become necessary, we recognize that a successful defense must be strategic, thorough, and carefully organized. To that end, our litigation attorneys provide:

• Single-point contact for coordination of claims, lawsuits, and defense on a national, regional, or state wide basis
• An efficient, cost-effective document and case management system
• Preparation of consistent discovery responses on a nationwide basis
• Exposure and expense budget reserve recommendations

Finally, as frequent authors and lecturers on product liability and litigation defense topics, as well as active members of the Defense Research Institute, Illinois Association of Defense Trial Counsel and similar groups, our lawyers know the latest trends and plaintiff strategies—and how to beat them with the most effective defense tactics.