James E. Berger is a partner in the Litigation department of Hughes Hubbard & Reed, with particular focus on litigation involving complex legal and scientific issues. His national practice concentrates on product liability and premises liability claims and includes experience in tobacco, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and chemical exposures. James has both trial and appellate experience, and has been national counsel responsible for all aspects of complex litigation in multiple state and federal courts throughout the country, including jurisdictions recognized as particularly plaintiff-friendly. He has also handled appellate work in multiple states and before the 8th US Circuit Court of Appeals, where he began his career as a law clerk.
Professional Activities
Member, Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers
Member, The 8th Circuit Bar Association
Member, The Defense Research Institute
Member, Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA)
Previous Experience
Law clerk, the Hon. Roger L. Wollman, United States Circuit Judge for the 8th Circuit, 1996 – 1997
Staff attorney, United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit, 1994 – 1996
Court Admissions
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Highlighted Matters
National counsel for a major tobacco company in all aspects of a complex product liability litigation including trials and appeals in multiple state and federal courts throughout the country
Previously represented another major tobacco company in its asbestos premises liability and tobacco litigation, at both the trial court and appellate levels
Representation of a manufacturer of medical devices and pharmaceuticals in multiple aspects of national litigation, including trial
