Kenny Cochran is an associate in the Litigation Department and a member of the Mass Torts & Product Liability practice group. He defends multinational corporations in high-stakes product liability litigation, mass torts and class actions involving pharmaceuticals, medical devices and consumer products. Kenny has also represented leading energy and technology companies in complex, multi-jurisdictional matters. His practice is concentrated on taking high-profile product liability cases to trial and managing consolidated proceedings.
Selected representations include:
- Bayer in mass tort lawsuits against Bayer subsidiary Monsanto Company alleging injuries from PCB exposure, including a trial in Washington state court resulting in complete defense verdicts for 11 of the 15 plaintiffs’ claims.
- Johnson & Johnson in product liability trials in which plaintiffs alleged that J&J’s talcum-based baby powder products contained asbestos and caused them to develop mesothelioma.
- ExxonMobil in climate change-related tort lawsuits brought by U.S. states, counties and municipalities.
- Regents of the University of California in mass tort litigation brought by former patients of a former physician involving allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.
- 3M in multibillion-dollar product liability litigation alleging that combat earplugs sold to the U.S. military caused hearing loss among service members.
- GSK in consolidated proceedings in California involving thousands of claimants alleging that an antacid medication had carcinogenic properties.
- A leading healthcare company in litigation arising from allegations of sexual abuse at a youth treatment and foster care program.
- Global e-commerce platforms in trademark and product liability litigation involving claims related to third-party seller products.
- A leading security alarm company in dozens of state and federal court actions involving catastrophic property damage, personal injury and wrongful death.
- A leading fire-suppression systems manufacturer in pre-suit investigations and complex litigation arising from catastrophic fire events, coordinating technical, causation and damages defenses across jurisdictions.
Kenny also maintains an active pro bono practice focused on civil, family and prisoner rights. His representations have included successfully advocating for the suspension of a client’s life sentence, securing a custody order reuniting a mother with her children, and obtaining a favorable settlement for an inmate who was assaulted by correctional officers.
