(Princeton, NJ, December 29, 2003) – International top 20 law firm Reed Smith LLP has added aviation attorney Patrick Bradley as a partner in its Princeton office, effective January 2.
A former partner at Herrick Feinstein, Mr. Bradley concentrates his practice on the defense of aviation and other product liability actions. Much of his work involves the defense of airlines, aircraft and component parts manufacturers, and pilots in connection with aircraft accidents and incidents. He has broad experience in accident reconstruction, direct and cross examination of technical experts and medical and economic issues relevant to personal injury and wrongful death actions.
"Patrick's background expands the firm's ability to serve clients with complex products liability issues, particularly those whose business relates to aviation and international air traffic," said Steven J. Picco, Reed Smith's Princeton managing partner. "He adds another important dimension to our litigation capabilities and core competencies." Steven Kohn, leader of Reed Smith’s Products Liability Practice Group, said, “Patrick is an exceptionally talented lawyer whose broad based practice compliments the Group’s focus on nationwide complex products litigation.”
From 1991 to 1996 Mr. Bradley served as a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice, Aviation Section, in Washington D.C., defending governmental agencies and the military in aviation-related civil litigation. He was lead counsel in a number of cases tried to verdict involving air crashes.
Prior to his stint in government service, he handled commercial and products liability litigation in New York City, where he was involved in defending airlines in air carrier litigation and developed broad familiarity with aviation regulatory matters. He has also litigated on behalf of automotive, chemical, medical, and consumer product manufacturers in cases arising from claims of negligence or defective products and gained broad experience in handling mass tort and complex litigation.
"Reed Smith will provide me with a national and international platform from which to expand my aviation practice, as well as the opportunity to work on related matters in the life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors," said Mr. Bradley. "I am very much looking forward to expanding my practice to new areas while taking advantage opportunities to continue to work in the field of aviation law."
Mr. Bradley has been a licensed pilot since 1977 and holds a commercial license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He has flown a wide variety of aircraft, from single-engine Cessnas to multi-engine jets and has logged over 1250 hours of flying time.
A 1981 graduate of Colgate University with a B.A. in English, Mr. Bradley received his J.D. from Cornell Law School in 1986. He is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Mr. Bradley often speaks and writes on aviation and other legal topics. He is the author of two books from Macmillan, Instrument Flying Refresher and Confident Flying: A Pilot Upgrade. His most recent article on foreign plaintiffs and product liability was published in the August 11, 2003 New York Law Journal.
Reed Smith LLP, a leading global law firm with nearly 1,000 lawyers located in 16 U.S. and two U.K. cities, represents Fortune 100 as well as mid-market and emerging companies. Clients include technology companies and entrepreneurs, financial services firms, life sciences companies and health care providers and insurers, communications companies, manufacturers, universities, non-profit organizations, real estate developers, and municipalities throughout the United States and in 40 countries. For more information, visit www.reedsmith.com.