Charles F. Rysavy

Served as lead counsel to second largest U.S. lighting fixture manufacturer in defense of creditor claims of fraudulent conveyance and successor liability seeking to hold client and codefendants responsible for more than one billion dollars in asbestos personal injury and property damage claims against bankrupt asbestos defendant. Successfully moved for summary judgment.

Served as lead attorney for electric utility defending over 6,000 personal injury claims brought by cleanup workers at World Trade Center site following 9/11. Successfully moved for summary judgment resulting in dismissal of all pending claims against client.

Served as national counsel for Canadian generic pharmaceutical manufacturing/packaging company in defense of claims involving alleged packaging defects in oral contraceptives. Plaintiffs asserted claims for “wrongful birth” and various physical, emotional and economic injuries.

Served as national trial co-counsel for pharmaceutical manufacturer in defense of product liability claims involving drug for prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Plaintiffs alleged “atypical” fractures of the femur bone or osteonecrosis of the jaw. Litigation included two Multidistrict Litigation proceedings, two statewide consolidated litigations, and individual actions in other states.

Served as national counsel to manufacture of Cold War era radar systems in defense of personal injury and wrongful death claims by U.S. and NATO military personnel for exposure to radiation emitted from military radar equipment. Successfully defeated plaintiffs’ motion to certify two classes. Thereafter defended suits brought by approximately 100 individual plaintiffs, ultimately negotiating a global settlement of all pending and known unfiled claims.

Served as national counsel to joint defense group representing more than 80% of the U.S. commercial nuclear power industry on claims avoidance and defense of radiation injury claims.

Served as co-lead trial attorney in groundbreaking antitrust jury trial on behalf of independent provider of maintenance services for telephone equipment. Following six-and-a-half month trial, jury found defendant liable for Sherman Act violations and awarded client $20 million (automatically trebled to $60 million). Case was first single product aftermarket antitrust claim to be tried to successful verdict since plaintiffs in Eastman Kodak v. Image Technical Services tried their case to verdict after U.S. Supreme Court first recognized this type of claim in 1992. In a subsequent landmark ruling, the New Jersey federal court awarded client $2.6 million in prejudgment interest. This is the first time in history prejudgment interest has been awarded in an antitrust lawsuit brought under the federal statute.