Brad K. Howell

Products Liability Jury Trial

• First-chair trial counsel in a lawsuit involving catastrophic personal injury. Successfully defended a heavy equipment manufacturer and its dealer against theories of strict products liability and negligence. Additionally, assisted in drafting the appellate brief and gave an oral argument at the Second Court of Appeals of Texas. The judgment was unanimously affirmed on appeal.
• Represented an international manufacturer and domestic seller in a wrongful death and products liability action. After a lengthy trial, the jury unanimously found in favor of Mr. Howell’s clients.
• Defended a heavy equipment manufacturer in a wrongful death, multiparty lawsuit. Obtained a summary judgment on multiple theories of liability, including design defect, failure to warn, failure to test and breach of implied warranty. Following final disposition of the underlying case, a component part manufacturer filed a companion case against the manufacturer, seeking statutory indemnity. Mr. Howell won a second summary judgment for the manufacturer on statutory cause of action.

Toxic Tort Defense

• Successfully defended a heavy equipment manufacturer and dealer in dozens of toxic and mass tort cases filed by more than 1,000 plaintiffs in state courts throughout East Texas. Won summary judgment and secured nonsuits of hundreds of claims involving personal injuries allegedly caused by exposure to asbestos, solvents, silica, diesel fumes and welding fumes.

Mass Tort Defense

• Won summary judgments and secured nonsuits of more than 100 claims involving personal injuries allegedly caused by repetitive trauma during the operation of various pieces of heavy earthmoving equipment.

Commercial Litigation Trial

• Served as second-chair in a trial counsel for an environmental consulting firm involved in a case alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference with contractual relations. The jury returned a $3 million verdict in favor of the client, including an award of exemplary damages. Additionally, helped draft the appellate brief and prepare for oral arguments at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. The judgment was unanimously affirmed on appeal.