John Hooper defends multinational companies in complex litigations, including a variety of commercial, product liability, financial services, false and misleading advertising and other consumer class actions where he has served as national, regional and/or strategic counsel. He provides clients with all-inclusive strategic litigation management and counseling services to mitigate the reputational and financial risk associated with high exposure, viral and bet-the-company litigations.John's advises companies to create and execute litigation and strategic resolution options in some of the largest, most complex class actions, commercial litigations and mass torts in federal and state courts. Hooper's experience ranges from trials and arbitrations to mediations and settlements, and all stages of a case, from prelitigation to appeal. John's clients include some of the world's largest manufacturers of automobiles, medical devices, pharmaceuticals, building materials, tires, sporting goods and apparel as well as retailers, railroads, hedge funds, life insurance companies, private equity firms, banks and other financial services institutions.
North America - United States • Dispute resolution
King & Spalding LLP
Led from Atlanta by Susan Clare and fielding practitioners from other nationwide offices, including Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, King & Spalding LLP‘s automotive and transport litigation team has the expertise and resources to handle complex product liability and mass action cases for clients throughout the country. Appreciated for its deep knowledge, technical skills and outstanding litigation strategy and execution, the team regularly serves as strategic counsel for major automotive manufacturers facing potential reputational damage from litigation. The group’s comprehensive knowledge of the automotive subject matter and its evolving technology ensures that it is well-equipped to effectively handle all elements of trial work. Alongside Geoffrey Drake, who is also based in Atlanta, Clare continues to act as coordinating counsel for GM’s consumer litigation, consisting of a docket of approximately 6,000 plus breach of warranty and consumer fraud lawsuits. New York-based John Hooper is another key member of the team whose class action expertise encompasses work throughout the litigation life cycle, from pre-litigation and risk management expertise, through to trial and appeal. Hooper has longstanding ties with Toyota, which he continues to act as strategic counsel across a myriad of product liability and class action cases pending in various nationwide courts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- American Honda Motor Co. Inc.
- AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA
- Ford Motor Company
- General Motors LLC
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC
- Tesla, Inc.
- Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.
- Volkswagen
Work highlights
- Representing Toyota in product liability and class action litigation, including in most of the currently active class action cases pending in various courts nationwide, including actions alleging defective batteries, airbags, roof rail systems, HVAC systems, Denso fuel pumps and inverters, among others.
- Representing General Motors as lead counsel in various high-profile, high-exposure class action litigation matters throughout the country.
- Representing Volkswagen in high-profile multidistrict litigation involving allegations of defective driver and front passenger airbag inflators, several class actions involving emissions warranties and multiple product liability matters involving catastrophic injuries.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Susan Clare, a partner in the Trial and Global Disputes Practice, is the Co-Chair of the Automotive and Transportation Litigation Team. Susan represents clients in the automotive/transportation, life sciences, and consumer products industries in high-exposure product liability, mass tort, and other complex litigation. With experience in all phases of complex litigation, Susan represents companies in individual, class action and multi-district proceedings in federal and state courts across the country. She is skilled at handling the types of issues that frequently accompany the highest-exposure matters, such as cases involving recalled and foreign-manufactured products, media attention, government investigations, allegations of consumer fraud, jurisdictional challenges, insurance disputes, and extensive expert discovery.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Susan Clare