Trial Experience

The attorneys within the Products Liability Practice Group are nationally recognized for their expertise and success. Involvement in numerous trials has enabled the Products Liability Group to compile tactics and strategies that meet the client’s overall goals and objectives. We design trial teams based on the specific type of defendant, the products liability theory, the type of plaintiff, and the jurisdiction in which the case is filed.

Decades of actual trial experience has established a solid foundation within the Products Liability Group that employs a comprehensive list of trial tactics and techniques that range from the fundamentals of trial to the complicated aspects of specific products liability litigation. The experience, use of technology, and understanding of evidentiary matters of the trial teams results in trying cases in an efficient and effective manner.

Most importantly, the Products Liability Group possesses exceptional experience in the Midwest. In the last ten years, the Products Liability Group has tried to verdict more than 300 cases in Federal and State Courts. Frank N. Gundlach, who has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for the last ten consecutive years, has tried to conclusion over 100 cases.Paul E. Kovacs has tried over 300 cases to a jury verdict and has been involved in some of the largest jury verdicts in the State of Missouri. James J. Virtel has tried over 100 cases to jury verdict. Karen Baudendistel and John Quinn achieved the number one defendant’s verdict in the State of Missouri in a products liability trial. Karen Baudendistel also received a defendant’s verdict in the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Illinois.

The experience and accomplishments of members of the Products Liability Group are illustrated by the following:

• Paul E. Kovacs obtained the largest defense jury verdicts in the State of Missouri as determined by Lawyers Weekly in the years 1994, 1996, and 2002

• Frank N. Gundlach, Paul E. Kovacs, James J. Virtel and J. Kent Lowry, are Fellows of The American College of Trial Lawyers.

• Bill Corrigan, Dave Ott, John Quinn, Paul Kovacs, James J. Virtel andFrank Gundlach were listed in the February, 2005 issue of St. Louis Commerce Magazine as St. Louis’ Best Lawyers in America.

• Frank Gundlach was elected to the Board of Trustees of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

• Since 2000, Armstrong Teasdale has produced 14 top defense verdicts in the State of Missouri according to Missouri Lawyers Weekly’s lists, including 2002 when the #1 defense verdict was obtained.

• Paul Kovacs is listed in Who’s Who in American Law. He is also a member of the International Society of Barristers.