Mark A. Brand
Mark joined Reed Smith when the firm combined with Sachnoff & Weaver in March 2007. Mark has a national practice in product liability, toxic tort, complex commercial litigation and construction matters. He has represented some of the world's leading industrial equipment, chemical and consumer goods manufacturers and distributors, financial institutions, and other service sector clients in class actions, multidistrict litigation, injunction actions, and matters before federal agencies. Mark has served as national trial and coordinating counsel for several companies, and counsels clients extensively in litigation prevention and risk management on such subjects as product safety, process protection and electronic discovery.
Mark has tried numerous cases to verdict in state and federal courts around the country and in AAA, CPR and other commercial arbitrations involving products as diverse as chemicals, power and electrical equipment and computer software, and business issues ranging from trade secrets, non-compete agreements, defamation, disparagement and fiduciary duties to insurance coverage, international oil supply contracts and antitrust price fixing and monopolization claims.
Mark is former member of Reed Smith's Executive Committee.
Representative Matters
National and regional commercial litigation and product liability counsel for large manufacturing and service companies.
Successfully defended the largest papermaking machinery manufacturer in a wrongful-death case alleging defective design of equipment and controls.
Won judgment for a Fortune 150 chemical manufacturer against a claim of mental retardation and deformity resulting from toxic exposure to a fetus.
Successfully defended a refrigeration equipment manufacturer against a $10 million claim for ammonia contamination of food products at a major processing plant.
Successfully defended a major software company against claims of defective design and installation of a financial data management system.
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Publications
- Co-author, “When the Trustee Comes Knocking: Dealing with Bankruptcy Preference Claims,” U.S. Industry Today, February 25, 2003
- Co-author, “Limitations on the Duty to Warn Through Preemption of Toxic Tort Cases” and “The Duty to Warn in Cases Alleging Allergic or Idiosyncratic Reactions,” Mealey’s Toxic Torts Conference; and “Site Owner Must Retain Web Advertising Control,” National Law Journal
Speeches / Presentations
- Chair and speaker at local and national product liability, toxic torts and business litigation conferences and seminars
Experience
| 2007 | Reed Smith |
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| 2002 | Sachnoff & Weaver (combined with Reed Smith in 2007) |
Legal Education
| 1979 | J.D., University of Notre Dame |
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Undergraduate Education
| 1974 | B.A., cum laude, Concordia College |
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Professional Admissions / Qualifications
- Illinois
- Texas
- Washington
Court Admissions
- U.S. Supreme Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Seventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court - Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court - Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Ohio
Professional Affiliations
- Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition – 2009 in the area of Business Litigation
- Named a Leading Lawyer and recognized as a Super Lawyer by Illinois Super Lawyers magazine and Law & Politics, the publishers of Chicago magazine every year since inception, 2005-2009
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Chicago Bar Association (Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1994-1998)
- Federal Bar Association
- American Bar Association (Litigation Section and Tort and Insurance Section; Co-Chairman, Corporate Counsel Product Liability Subcommittee, Section of Litigation, 1995-1997)