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North America - United States • Transport

King & Spalding LLP

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Representing automotive and transportation companies and suppliers, King & Spalding LLP‘s recent experience encompasses the the automotive industry’s diesel-related issues. In addition to the firm’s regulatory, enforcement and policy work, the group assists automakers with litigation, government investigations, international trade, and data privacy and security issues. Representing automotive manufacturers and transportation companies in product liability, class action and mass tort actions, Susan Clare chairs the automotive and transportation litigation team from Atlanta, where Geoffrey Drake assists vehicle manufacturers in disputes; Madison Kitchens defends automotive sector-related product manufacturers; and Adam Reinke assists automotive clients with defense-side class actions. In New York, John Hooper’s track record includes automotive industry-related mass tort litigation settlements, while Jacquie Seidel is a class and mass action litigation specialist. Over in Washington DC, Granta Nakayama‘s experience includes assisting automakers with diesel-related issues, and Ilana Saltzbart advises on battery storage, recycling, transportation, and marketing regulations. The practice further includes Chicago-based Livia Kiser, an adviser to automotive manufacturers, automotive technology companies, distributors and suppliers on vehicle components; and Los Angeles’ product liability expert Susan Vargas.

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Key clients

  • AUTOMOBILI LAMBORGHINI AMERICA
  • Bentley Motors Limited
  • Daimler AG
  • Mercedes-Benz USA
  • Trucks North America
  • Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group companies
  • Ford Motor Company
  • General Motors LLC
  • Kia Motors America, Inc
  • Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America, Inc
  • Tesla
  • Toyota Motor Sales and Toyota Motor Company
  • Volkswagen AG

Work highlights

  • Representing Toyota in product liability and class action litigation, involving actions alleging defective batteries, airbags, roof rail systems, HVAC systems, Denso fuel pumps, and inverters.
  • Representing General Motors in various high-profile, high-exposure class action litigation matters throughout the country.
  • Representing Volkswagen in high-profile multi-district 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

Hall of fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Granta Nakayama

Work highlightsKing & Spalding LLP

A partner in the Environmental practice with a focus on energy, Granta represents companies in a range of regulatory and enforcement matters. With training as a nuclear engineer and more than a decade of experience as a practicing engineer and technical manager, Granta represents clients with products or services regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), along with state government agencies such as the California Air Resources Board. He defends companies in enforcement actions and litigation involving regulations and rate proceedings, and represents their interests in agency rulemakings and Congressional matters.

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Susan Clare

King & Spalding LLP

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.

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.

Granta Nakayama, Susan Clare