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Biographies of Lawyers
  • David M. Bernick
    Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, Chicago

    B.A., University of Chicago, 1974
    Phi Beta Kappa
    M.A., Yale University, 1975
    J.D., University of Chicago, 1978
    Member, Visiting Committee at University of Chicago

    Trial counsel in toxic tort, radiation, product liability, leveraged-buyout, trade secret misappropriation, breach of contract, RICO, securities, and antitrust cases.

    Litigation Experience--examples

    A. Mass Tort Litigation
    1. Breast Implant Litigation (Current)
    National trial counsel for principal manufacturer of silicone gel- filled breast implants, Dow Corning. Developed core defense and tried key cases. Individual and class actions have been brought in state and federal court against Dow Corning, alleging various injuries arising out of the use of silicone implants.

    2. Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant Litigation (current)
    Representing Dow in two class actions brought against Dow and Rockwell in connection with the operation of the Rocky Flats Nuclear Weapons Plant. One action brought by current and former employees, who allege exposure to nuclear waste materials and other toxic substances. Summary judgment was granted defendants. The second action is brought by property owners in the vicinity of the plant alleging loss of property values. Trial set for 1996.

    3. Attorney General Tobacco Lawsuits (current)
    Representing Brown & Williamson as national counsel in litigation brought by Minnesota, West Virginia, Mississippi, and Florida against the tobacco industry, seeking recovery of medical and economic costs allegedly due to cigarette smoking.

    4. Hanford Nuclear Reservation (current)
    Representing DuPont in consolidated class actions brought by property owners and former Army personnel based upon alleged exposure to radioactive materials.

    5. Fernald, Ohio Weapons Plant Litigation (1994)
    Employee class action brought against NL Industries and its subsidiary alleging exposure to uranium and other radioactive materials at Feed Materials Production Center, Fernald, Ohio. After a seven-week trial, jury returned defense verdicts on all key plaintiffs.

    6. In Re: San Juan DuPont Plaza Hotel Fire (1988)
    Multidistrict action arising from the New Year's eve fire of 1986, in which 98 people died. Represented Premark International and DowChemical. Settled during trial in San Juan.

    7. Rogers v. Brandenburg (1987)
    Represented Dow Chemical in suit in Cook County Circuit Court arising out of a magnesium explosion. Plaintiffs sought over $30 million in damages. Dow settled with five of six plaintiffs for less than 8% of total settlement package.

    B. Products Liability
    1. Sarabond Litigation (88-93)
    2. Nigh, et al v. Dow Chemical Company, et al (85-7) and other grain pesticide litigation.
    3. Dow Chemical C. v. Weevil-Cide Chemical Co. (1988)

    C. Construction
    1. Solow Development Corporation v. Skidmore Owings & Merrill (1987)


  • Stanley M. Chesley
    Waite, Schneider, Bayless & Chesley Co., L.P.A.
    1513 Central Trust Tower
    Cincinnati, OHIO 45202
    513/621-0267

    Stanley M. Chesley was born on March 26, 1936 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the University of Cincinnati, and obtained his B.A. in 1958 and the University of Cincinnati Law School obtaining his LL.B. in 1960. He was admitted to the Bar in 1960.

    Member of the Supreme Court of the United States; Supreme Court of Ohio; United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Second Circuits; Cincinnati, Ohio State and Federal Courts; Kentucky State and Federal Courts; West Virginia, Texas, New York (by invitation) and Nevada Federal Courts. Member of the American Judicature Society, Maritime Law Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association, Melvin M. Belli Society and National Program Chairman of ATLA.

    Member of the Executive Committee of the Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel Committee for the MGM Grand Hotel Fire Litigation. Member of Plaintiffs' Management Committee and Liaison Counsel for the "Bendectin" Products Liability Litigation. Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel for the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire Litigation (165 deaths and numerous injuries). Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel Holiday Inn Fire Litigation, Cambridge, Ohio (arson case). Counsel for the printers in the Scripps Howard Litigation(breach of contract for proposed lifetime contract for 100 printers). Member of the Plaintiffs' Executive Committee for the Bhopal Tragedy Litigation. Member of the Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel in the following cases, In Re: Air Crash Disaster at Gander, Newfoundland; In Re: Air Canada Air Crash, Covington, Kentucky. Member of the Plaintiffs' Committee and Plaintiffs' Steering Committee, Dupont Plaza Hotel Fire Litigation. Member of Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel Committee for the Northwest Aircrash Litigation, Flight #255, Detroit, Michigan. Member of the Plaintiffs' Lead Counsel Committee in the following cases, In Re: ChoiceCare Litigation. In Re: Chubb Group of Insurance Companies Litigation, In Re: Fernald Litigation. Member of Plaintiffs' Steering Committee In Re: Pan Am Aircrash Litigation, Lockerbie, Scotland. The Lead Counsel In Re: Bjork-Shiley "C/C" Heart Valve Litigation (worldwide defective heart valve litigation). Co-Chair Plaintiffs' Steering Committee In Re: Silicone Gel Breast Implant Litigation. Member of Plaintiffs' Steering Committee In Re: USAir Flight #405 Aircrash Disaster at New York LaGuardia Airport.

    Mr. Chesley is presently Chairman of the Board of Commissioners on Grievances and Discipline for the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. He served on the Board of Trustees of the University of Cincinnati for nine years, serving as Chairman of the Board from 1988 through 1992. Adjunct Professor at Chase Law School of Northern Kentucky University. Lecturer and Author for American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA), 1982 through Present; Lecturer and Author for the Practicing Law Institute; Lecturer and author for the American Bar Association (ABA). Mr. Chesley is also a member of the American Judicature Society and Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers.


  • Richard Laminack
    440 Louisiana, Suite 2300
    Houston, Texas 77002
    713/223-1000

    Education
    Bachelor's of Arts Degree, University of Texas; Lamar University (1984)

    Doctor of Law Degree, South Texas College of Law (1987)

    -Magna Cum Laude graduate
    -Order of Lytae
    -Order of Barristers
    -Phi Delta Phi
    -President, Student Bar Association (1986-1987)
    -State Moot Court Champion (1987)
    -The Outstanding Student of the Class of '87


    Professional Experience
    Managing Partner, O'Quinn, Kerensky, McAninch & Laminack

    Professional Affiliations
    Board of Directors, Houston Trial Lawyers Association
    Director, Editorial Board, Mealey Publications, Inc., "Breast Implant Litigation Reporter"
    Member, Plaintiff's Steering Committee, Harris County Silicone Breast Implant Litigation
    Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America
    Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
    Member, State Bar of Texas
    Member, American Bar Association
    Member, College of the State Bar of Texas


    Public Appearances
    Nationally recognized spokesperson on the subject of breast implant litigation. Has appeared on numerous national broadcasts such as Larry King Live, and all major news networks.

    Mr. Laminack has been featured in numerous articles all around the country. Newsweek, Forbes, Texas Monthly, and numerous other well known publications have featured his work. The cover story of the October '95 edition of Fortune featured Mr. Laminack and his partner, John M. O'Quinn.

    Mr. Laminack is currently handling the lawsuits of 3,800 women with breast implants in Texas.


  • John M. O'Quinn
    O'Quinn, Kerensky, McAninch & Laminack

    • Magna cum laude graduate of University of Houston Law Center.
    • Board certified in both Personal Injury Law and Civil Trial Law.
    • Verdicts and settlements during the past decade exceeding $2 billion.
    • Founder of O'Quinn, Kerensky, McAninch & Laminack.
    • Recently named one of the "100 Most Influential Lawyers in America" by the National Law Journal.
    • Inducted into the Inner Circle of Advocates, an exclusive group of the top 100 plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States.
    • Director, Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
    • Director, Houston Trial Lawyers Association.
    • 1993 Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Houston.
    • Vice Chairman, Board of Regents, University of Houston.


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