David Thorne

David has represented cigarette manufacturers in cigarette and asbestos litigation through the United States, trying cases to verdict, and advises clients on asbestos abatement issues, premises liability claims, and claims by independent contractors and employees. His practice includes representing clients facing personal injury claims as a result of mold exposures, both in class actions and individual lawsuits. David served as lead counsel for a defendant in one of the bellwether cases involving consumer exposure to diacetyl, representing the employer of an individual alleging exposure from a product sold by the company.

David has served as trial counsel representing Philip Morris USA* in a series of smoking-and-health cases — known as Engle-progeny litigation — filed throughout Florida, and has coordinated defense strategy and tried cases in a number of venues across the state. He has also represented Philip Morris in various smoking-and-health cases in New Mexico and Missouri. David’s product liability experience includes obtaining favorable verdicts in multiple trials involving product liability claims related to asbestos-containing cigarette filters manufactured in the 1950s.

An additional aspect of David’s practice has involved serving as the relationship partner advising clients on employment litigation and contracts, government inquiries, commercial litigation, intellectual property data security, and document retention.

*Reflects experience at previous employer