Keith acts as national coordinating counsel, outside general counsel and trial counsel for numerous Fortune 500 companies. Representative accomplishments include:
- Defense verdict for cosmetic talc manufacturer following a 3 month trial in Los Angeles, California. Plaintiff, who was 38 years old at the time of suit alleged, she developed end stage peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma as a result of exposure to cosmetic talc contaminated with asbestos. Following weeks of evidence and lengthy deliberations, a jury determined that the cosmetic talc at issue was not contaminated and that the client was not responsible for Plaintiff’s illness. This verdict was upheld on appeal as was the award of experts’ fees and costs to the client after a statutory offer to compromise was rejected by Plaintiff.
- Defense Verdict for commercial HVAC sub-contractor following a 2 month trial in Alameda County, California where Plaintiff alleged career ending injuries after falling through plywood safety covers that were improperly secured by the general contractor. The jury found that Keith’s client was not responsible for Plaintiff’s accident and attributed 100% fault to the general contractor. Importantly, even a 1% finding of fault would have resulted in the client being awarded the entire judgment. Following appeal by the general contractor on various issues, the appellate court unanimously upheld the judgment and the award of approximately $300,000 in fees awarded to the client. (Strouse v. Webcor; certified for partial publication)
- Defense verdict/non-suit for a timber company that was alleged to have exposed its former employee to toxic substances resulting in the development of his cancer and ultimate passing. Following extensive arguments on exceptions to a foreign state’s workers' compensation exclusivity doctrine in California, the trial court entered judgment for the timber company following opening statements, finding that the timber company had no duty to the Plaintiff for any alleged “take home exposure.” This decision was affirmed on appeal and the client was awarded its expert fees and costs.
- In a contested trucking liability trial in which Plaintiff alleged significant injuries following a high-speed accident with client’s industrial vehicle, the jury returned a verdict of 50% comparative fault against Plaintiff, awarding him a total amount far less then Plaintiff’s offer to compromise. Plaintiff’s attempt to recover statutory costs and expert fees following trial was denied.
- After taking over as national coordinating counsel for a consumer products company being sued by plaintiffs in multiple jurisdictions, Keith and his team developed a comprehensive strategy that dramatically decreased the litigation after a determination that there were complete defenses to the client under various asset purchase agreements.
While Keith is an accomplished trial attorney, he understands that trial is often a last resort for his clients. He understands that any trial comes with risks and works extensively with his clients to offer creative solutions to the litigation at issue. He has mediated dozens of cases throughout his career and works closely with his clients to ensure they have exhausted all reasonable alternatives prior to trial. Prior to joining London Fischer, Keith previously served as the managing partner for California and member of the executive committee for a national law firm. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Association of Southern California Defense Counsel and Defense Research Institute. He has previously been recognized as a Southern California Rising Star and has achieved the highest AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell.
Memberships
- Defense Research Institute, Los Angeles County Bar Association