From pipeline ruptures to structural collapses, cyber attacks, security breaches, fires and explosions, we successfully steer clients through the myriad consequences of catastrophic events. Our basic philosophy borrows from the physician’s dictum “first, do no harm:” we act quickly to minimise damage, then work expeditiously and aggressively to heal the injury using all available tools.
Our lawyers represent businesses, design professionals, educational institutions and other entities in connection with losses ranging from events affecting a small number of persons to major incidents involving thousands of claims and hundreds of lawsuits for personal injury, property damage and other relief.
When crisis strikes, we bring in experts and investigators who protect client interests by preserving evidence and initiating appropriate investigations. We provide representation in all stages of civil and criminal proceedings — from claims and causation investigation through trial — and advise on administrative and regulatory proceedings, environmental law issues, insurance coverage questions and OSHA investigations. In addition, we develop sophisticated strategies to protect and preserve our clients’ reputations. Through our longstanding relationships with a network of public relations professionals, we make sure our clients manage media inquiries and develop appropriate public messaging and strategic communications that minimise repercussions to their position in their community, marketplace and industry.
Ultimately, we believe that preparedness is key to mitigating the potential impact of a crisis, so we work with clients to develop and implement action plans and crisis response protocols to help them react immediately in the event of a catastrophe. While it may not be possible to prevent every imaginable crisis from occurring, a proactive legal approach typically yields improvements in ongoing operations, as well as a reduction of adverse consequences if and when a catastrophe does occur.