Thomas E. Riley

Partner

Practice Description

Thomas Riley is head of the Firm’s litigation department. He has more than 25 years of experience in the products liability area. Mr. Riley has extensive experience coordinating the defense of hundreds of products liability cases around the country, including complex matters such as class actions and cases involving claims for medical monitoring. He has successfully defended manufacturers in trials throughout the United States, and also provides advice to defendants in products liability cases in courts around the world.

Representative Matters

Represents B.A.T Industries plc in a purported class action involving the marketing of "light” cigarettes in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Represents an electronics manufacturer in alleged class actions based on fraud and other claims in connection with the sale of laser printers.
Successfully represented Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in an appeal to the New York Court of Appeals (the state's highest court), in which the Court reversed a jury verdict in the plaintiffs' favor and dismissed the plaintiffs' claim for defective design.
Successfully defended British American Tobacco (Investments) Ltd. and Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corporation in a trial in state court in Philadelphia involving claims that advertisements for low-tar cigarettes were misleading, in which plaintiffs asserted causes of action for fraud, misrepresentation, strict liability, negligence, breach of warranty, conspiracy, unfair trade practices and violation of consumer protection laws.
Obtained a jury verdict in favor of a tobacco manufacturer in a trial in state court in Beaumont, Texas in a case involving strict liability and negligence claims.
Obtained a directed verdict in favor of a tobacco manufacturer in a trial in state court in Connecticut in which the plaintiff alleged that the company’s cigarettes were defectively designed.
Working on a pro bono basis, has been honored by Legal Services for New York City for the representation of Brooklyn homeowners in litigation involving predatory lending, and serves as counsel with the National Veterans Legal Services Program representing United States veterans seeking disability pension benefits.
Represented the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and submitted an amicus brief opposing a constitutional challenge to a New York law that bans cameras in the courts.

Honors

Mr. Riley is recognized in The Legal 500 (2007-2009) and The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers (2009-2011), for product liability and mass tort defense. He has also been selected for inclusion in SuperLawyers (2010) in the specialty of personal injury defense: products and New York Super Lawyers (2006-2009) for personal injury defense law.

Activities and Affiliations

Mr. Riley is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (Amicus Curiae Committee); New York State Bar Association (Commercial and Federal Litigation Section – Trial Evidence Committee); the American Bar Association; and the University Settlement Society of New York (Board of Directors, 1992 to 2004).

Publications

"Case Law Highlights Puffery as a Defense to Consumer Fraud Class Actions," (co-author), law.com, February 21, 2008
"When Is a Tort Complete? Courts Address Whether Plaintiffs Can Assert Claims Without Injury," (co-author), law.com, April 4, 2007
"Recent Decision Undercuts Device Manufacturers' Pre-emption Defense," (co-author), law.com, January 10, 2007
In re Products Liability NewsWire, November 2006
"N.Y. Court Requires Parties to Address Degree of Exposure in Toxic Tort Cases," (co-author), law.com, November 2006

"Case Law Highlights Puffery as a Defense to Consumer Fraud Class Actions," (co-author), law.com, February 21, 2008
"When Is a Tort Complete? Courts Address Whether Plaintiffs Can Assert Claims Without Injury," (co-author), law.com, April 4, 2007
"Recent Decision Undercuts Device Manufacturers' Pre-emption Defense," (co-author), law.com, January 10, 2007
In re Products Liability NewsWire, November 2006
"N.Y. Court Requires Parties to Address Degree of Exposure in Toxic Tort Cases," (co-author), law.com, November 2006
"Fitting U.S. Law to Extraterritorial Activities," New York Law Journal, February 2006

[ more publications ]

Education

Binghamton University, B.A., 1976
New York University School of Law, J.D., Research Editor and Staff Member, New York University Journal of International Law and Politics, 1979

Professional Background

Law Clerk for the Honorable John T. Elfvin, U.S. District Court – Western District of New York, 1980-1982

Admissions

1980	New York
1992	U.S.D.C. - D. Ariz.
1983	U.S.D.C. - E.D.N.Y.
2002	U.S.D.C. - N.D.N.Y.
1983	U.S.D.C. - S.D.N.Y.
2004	U.S. Ct. App. - 2nd Cir.
2004	U.S. Ct. App. - 3rd Cir.
1995	U.S. Ct. App. - 4th Cir.
1998	U.S. Ct. App. - 6th Cir.
2009	U.S. Sup. Ct.
2010	U.S. Ct. App. - Fed. Cir.

Languages

English



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