North America - United States • Dispute resolution
King & Spalding LLP
King & Spalding LLP is well-versed in handling high-stakes, complex multi-pronged toxic tort matters involving a range of contaminants. The firm’s Atlanta and Houston offices regularly act for energy and industrial clients in the aftermath of environmental incidents – where the firm is not only well-placed to advise on ensuing litigation but also to limit any negative press coverage and to manage the immediate incident response. In Houston, Tracie Renfroe has a ‘great track record in the field’, winning praise for her ’excellent trial skills’, which extend not only to local and national toxic tort matters but also matters with an international complexion. Also based in Houston, Elizabeth Taber is a popular choice among energy and oilfield companies as defendants in relation to toxic tort suits (including MDLs and class actions) in Texas and beyond, where she excels at all stages of the litigation process, including at trial. In New York, both Kristen Fournier and Morton Dubin have exceptional trial skills which they bring to bear across a range of toxic tort matters, including as it pertains to asbestos exposure. San Francisco-based Matthew Blaschke co-heads the toxic and environmental team alongside Fournier and has experience of handling both private litigation alongside governmental investigations and enforcement actions. Robert Meadows has retired.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Tracie Renfroe has a great track record in the field and excellent trial skills.'
Key clients
- Chevron
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Mine Safety Appliances
- Renco Group
- Beech-Nut Nutrition Company
- Shell Oil Company
- Viking Group, Inc.
- Dow Chemical Company
- Union Carbide Corporation
- Phillips 66
- Baker Hughes
- Delta Air Lines
- BASF Corporation
Work highlights
- Secured a complete defense verdict for our client Union Carbide in a major asbestos case where the plaintiffs, the family of a Western Missouri man who died of mesothelioma, were seeking over $40m in compensatory damages plus punitive damages.
- Advising Beech-Nut Nutrition Company in nationwide class actions, personal injury and Attorneys General lawsuits, and government investigations alleging the presence of toxic metals in baby food.
- Representing The Renco Group and Doe Run Resources in mass tort litigation whereby plaintiffs allege that the defendants, acting from Missouri and New York, controlled Doe Run Peru’s smelting operations at the La Oroya smelting facility in a manner that resulted in approximately 3,000 Plaintiffs’ exposure to lead and other toxic substances, causing medical and developmental injuries.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Tracie Renfroe has a national trial practice focusing on toxic tort, environmental, product liability and commercial disputes. She has tried or litigated numerous breach of contract, conspiracy, fraud, securities fraud and professional liability cases. As Managing Partner of the Houston office and a partner in the Energy, Environmental and Product Liability practices, Tracie represents clients in the energy, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical sectors around the country. Tracie represents clients in civil jury trials, class actions and arbitrations. She tries cases in federal and state courts around the country, as well as in international arbitration of high-stakes environmental disputes. Tracie is skilled at presenting complex scientific and technical issues to judges, juries and arbitration panels. She has also tried numerous conspiracy, securities fraud, breach of contract and professional liability cases.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Matt Blaschke, Kristen Fournier