Howard Klein,

Served as lead counsel for leading chemical companies in range of cases, including cases claiming toxicity from exposure to benzene, toluene and ethyl xylene, asbestos, respiratory injury and other personal injuries.

Served as co-trial counsel for a number of tobacco companies in smoking and health litigation in Pennsylvania, as well as counsel in related actions. Representation included significant work in the landmark case, Barnes v. American Tobacco Co., in which the Third Circuit ultimately held that individual issues precluded class certification and that defendants were entitled to summary judgment. In another case in which we represented a tobacco industry organization, the Third Circuit affirmed the dismissal of antitrust, RICO, and state common law claims filed by union health and welfare funds.

Represented a major steel company in variety of matters, including:

• An over $80 million claim for defective construction of a coke oven which involved complex issues of construction law as well as complicated scientific and technical issues.

• Premises liability claims involving workplace accidents, alleged toxic torts, including benzene and asbestos.

• Alleged fraud claims surrounding sale of subsidiary.

Represented an e-commerce company in connection with products liability claims brought by the family of a university student who committed suicide after allegedly purchasing a hazardous substance through a third-party seller.

Represented a major computer manufacturer in mass tort and class action litigation relating to repetitive stress injuries (RSI) allegedly stemming from computer keyboard use. Howard handled appellate issues and developed the medical defense. Although plaintiffs’ lawyers touted RSI claims as the “asbestos litigation of the 1990s,” such claims have largely dried up after several key defense victories.

Served as lead and national counsel for contact lens solution manufacturer in suits alleging fungal eye infections.

Represented a major oil refinery in litigation involving catastrophic personal injury and death claims brought against refinery, including cases involving explosions and trucking accidents involving multiple deaths and personal injuries.

Represented of a blood supplier in Pennsylvania in cases involving alleged transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C through blood products, and cases alleging venipuncture injuries.

Represents physicians and hospitals in Philadelphia in medical malpractice litigation, including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Represents physicians and other professionals as personal counsel in litigation matters.

Successfully represented a Philadelphia law firm in a claim of sexual orientation discrimination.

Represented lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice litigation, including representation of plaintiffs’ counsel in putative class action alleging breach of fiduciary duties in connection with settlement of asbestos cases.

Represented lawyers and other professionals in cases involving disputes surrounding dissolution of practices or partners leaving the firm.

Represented one of the oldest American companies in a multimillion-dollar contract dispute which resulted in dismissal with prejudice of plaintiff's claim on the grounds that under Pennsylvania's Uniform Commercial Code, performance standards within the parties’ agreement were not the only grounds for termination, and therefore the parties’ contract was terminable at-will.

Successfully represented a former bank executive to secure the recovery of his unpaid severance (approximately $1 million) in a breach of contract suit.

Secured six-figure recovery for an attorney following a lengthy arbitration in connection with claims that he was wrongfully forced out of his practice.

Represented a major telecommunications equipment company in superfund litigation and in construction claims arising from design of superfund remediation project.