Category: News - Page 8

By Rose Krebs

Now settled in as Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC’s managing shareholder, president and executive committee chair, Catherine Pyune McEldowney says she is looking forward to a future in the legal profession with more people like her in leadership positions.

The mass tort litigation firm, which has its main office in Delaware, announced last week that McEldowney had been appointed to the leadership posts. She is the first woman and first Korean American attorney to helm the national firm.

McEldowney told Law360 Pulse this week that she took over as the firm’s leader earlier this year. In her leadership roles, McEldowney “oversees the firm’s strategic direction and business planning, governance and operations, marketing development programs, client relations, and is the spokesperson for Maron Marvel,” a firm announcement said.

McEldowney said she plans “to lead by example” and help empower others as she guides a new generation of Maron Marvel’s leadership.

The firm, founded in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1996, has grown from a boutique toxic tort practice to a firm with more than 100 attorneys in 12 offices nationwide, according to the firm. In addition to Delaware, Maron Marvel has offices in Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

McEldowney told Law360 Pulse about her journey to becoming Maron Marvel’s leader, her vision for the firm and ongoing efforts to bring about more diversity and empower its attorneys.

You took over earlier this year as Maron Marvel’s leader, the first woman and first Korean American attorney to helm the national firm. Explain the significance of this milestone for you personally and for the firm as well.

This has been one of the most rewarding and challenging milestones in my 30-year career. Starting out as a newbie lawyer, I never imagined leading a law firm one day. It has been a goal of mine since joining

Maron Marvel in 2003 to learn from the founding member and my mentor, Jim Maron, and take the reins when he retired.

For the firm, this is the first time a woman or a person of color has been elected to any of these positions. We are focused on empowering our people and have elected seven new shareholders this year. Today, our leadership team is 16 members strong. One of our key initiatives this year is the creation of an Attorney Development Committee to ensure we provide training, mentorship and support for the success of our lawyers.

You’ve been with the firm for nearly two decades. What have been the biggest changes during your time there, and what is your vision for Maron Marvel’s future?

Since joining Maron Marvel in 2003, the biggest change in the firm has been our organic growth. We have expanded from three lawyers in Wilmington [the firm’s main office] to 100 attorneys in 12 offices across 10 states. This gave us the killer team and geographic reach to represent our clients in some of the most dangerous jurisdictions in the country.

Moving forward, I hope to see more lawyers that look like me who will take on leadership roles in the profession. My vision for the firm is to take Jim’s legacy to the next level of technology and litigation risk management to help our clients obtain predictable and favorable outcomes while lowering defense and indemnity dollars year after year. I want Maron Marvel lawyers to remain obsessed with client service and win by being fearless, loyal, efficient and steadfast.

You said that bolstering diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at the firm will continue to be a focus moving forward, and that you intend to lead by example and help empower others. What measures does the firm have in place, and what things can it do moving forward, to bring about more diversity and empower its attorneys? And in your leadership roles, how will you help ensure that there is follow-through on such measures?

The diversity of the present firm’s workforce is a testament to the views and priorities of our leadership team. The firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee helps formulate and implement diversity, equity and inclusion policies and programs. In addition to the DEI director and the DEI officer, a liaison from each of the firm’s offices serves on the committee. Our leadership team is committed to empowering individual authenticity in our workforce.

As an Asian American woman, I know the hardships of achieving equity in the workplace and the opportunities that can be created to make it happen. To start, we elevated our DEI director [Antoinette Hubbard] to our membership and leadership team. She leads the firm’s DEI Committee. She is involved in the hiring process for all attorneys.

In addition, we’ve created two affinity groups (Women Attorney Affinity Group and Racial Minority Attorney Affinity Group). We’re also pursuing partnership opportunities with local educational institutions to sponsor legal scholarships, mentoring, and internships to spark and support interest of underrepresented groups in the legal profession.

Finally, another major focus of the firm’s diversity, equity, and inclusion program is the promotion of a diverse pipeline for the legal profession. We partner with our clients to engage in DEI initiatives and the firm actively supports minority job fairs and summer law camps for youths from underprivileged communities.

As a first-generation Korean-American who is the first lawyer in your family, and who has now reached the milestone moment of leading a national firm with more than 100 attorneys in 12 offices, what attributes have best served you in reaching this point of your legal career and overcoming barriers along the way?

I am the first lawyer in my family. The attributes that have best served me in my career include my relentless work ethic, loyalty to my team members and clients, becoming a subject-matter expert in my field, my scrupulous attention to detail, and obsession with client service and responsiveness.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

–Editing by Gemma Horowitz.

Posted with reprint permission from

Law3602x

By Rose Krebs

Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC’s Catherine Pyune McEldowney, the first woman and first Korean American attorney to helm the national firm, told Law360 on Tuesday that she aims to lead by example and help empower others.

The mass tort litigation firm, which has its main office in Delaware, announced last week that McEldowney has been appointed its managing shareholder, president and executive committee chair. She told Law360 that she took over as the firm’s leader earlier this year.

“As a first-generation Korean-American and the first lawyer in my family, I am honored to take on the roles of president, executive committee chair, and managing shareholder of Maron Marvel,” McEldowney said in an email to Law360. “Raised by a single mom, I learned quickly that you have [to] work smarter and harder than everyone else in the room to succeed. I’m humbled and excited to lead our second-generation leadership team to become one of the best national mass tort defense firms in the country. We are obsessed with exceptional client service.”

In an announcement Monday, the firm said McEldowney’s appointment marks a milestone for the firm and legal community, as there are not many Asian American women leading firms in Delaware or elsewhere.

Maron Marvel cited a 2021 report from the National Association for Law Placement Inc. showing “that less than 5% of all attorneys practicing law in the United States are Asian Pacific American women, with even a smaller percentage in leadership roles.” The NALP describes itself as an association of more than 2,500 legal professionals who advise law students, attorneys, law offices and law schools.

In her new roles, McEldowney “oversees the firm’s strategic direction and business planning, governance and operations, marketing development programs, client relations, and is the spokesperson for Maron Marvel,” the firm said.

McEldowney told Law360 she is settling into the leadership roles, has a vision for Maron Marvel’s future, and plans “to lead by example.”

“I want to push us harder to empower our team members by embracing the unique cultures, backgrounds, hardships, and successes people bring to work each day,” she said. “Maron Marvel will continue to make it easy to do diversity work in our everyday lives.”

In January, the firm announced that founding member James J. Maron was retiring as member, chairman and president of the firm’s management committee. He continues to serve in an of counsel role.

McEldowney joined the firm in 2003 “to help Jim Maron execute his vision to be the best toxic tort defense firm in the country,” the firm said.

McEldowney doesn’t “want Maron Marvel to emulate the traditional law firm model,” Monday’s announcement said.

“Our next-gen leadership team is ready to be a catalyst for positive growth and success by empowering our attorneys and staff to be their authentic selves, continue to work smart and hard, and share the firm’s passion for excellence and client service,” she said in the announcement.

Bolstering the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts will be a focus moving forward, McEldowney added. “The only thing that separates women, people of color and other underrepresented groups in our profession is opportunity,” she said in the announcement. She added that Maron “gave me that opportunity 19 years ago,” and she is “honored to carry the torch he lit 25 years ago.”

Maron Marvel was founded in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1996 and has grown from a boutique toxic tort practice to a firm with more than 100 attorneys in 12 offices nationwide, according to the firm. In addition to Delaware, Maron Marvel has offices in Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Texas.

Last week, it also announced that Paul A. Bradley, who had served as Maron Marvel’s managing shareholder for more than 15 years, was switching roles to becoming the firm’s first general counsel.

“Paul’s proven track record and knowledge of the business of law will be invaluable in his new role,” Monday’s announcement said.

Maron was the president and chair of the firm’s executive committee post before stepping down earlier this year, with McEldowney now serving in all three leadership posts.

The firm said it will continue to be governed by its executive committee, but has also established an operating committee “to manage the firm’s daily administrative and operational affairs.”

Joining McEldowney on the operating committee is shareholder Scott W. Henry, who will serve in the new role of vice president of management, the firm said. Henry, who joined the firm in 2017, will oversee the firm’s daily operations while also maintaining his practice.

Nancy Reilly Michener will continue to serve as the firm’s chief operating officer, a post she has held for six years, the firm said.
McEldowney has more than 25 years of experience “in high-stakes mass tort, environmental and personal injury litigation,” according to the firm’s website.

–Editing by Adam LoBelia.

Posted with reprint permission from

We are excited to announce the Firm’s new leadership team. Maron Marvel started with a vision to be the best toxic tort defense firm in the country. For the last 25 years, we have combined technology and litigation to elevate our national risk management team and other key practice groups to climb higher, smarter, and faster.

Meet Our Leadership Team

Cathie Pyune McEldowney is taking the helm as the Firm’s new President, Chairperson of the Firm’s Executive Committee, and new Managing Member.

This is a milestone for the Firm and the legal community as very few law firms have appointed an Asian-American woman to lead their firms. According to NALP 2021 Diversity Report, less than 5% of all attorneys practicing law in the United States are Asian Pacific American women, with even a smaller percentage in leadership roles. Practically, that means no other law firms in the United States have an Asian-American woman in leadership positions.

Scott Henry now holds the position of Vice President of Management and Nancy Michener is the Firm’s Chief Operating Officer.

As we build on the Maron Marvel legacy, we look toward the next chapter of Maron Marvel with excitement and enthusiasm. The unique culture of Maron Marvel – authenticity, empowerment, killer teams – continues to inspire us. From the beginning, we had a passion for superior work product, a distinctive culture rooted in mass tort litigation, and an obsession with exceptional client service. These core values have remained at the heart of our brand and endure today. Through an authentic and consistent voice, Maron Marvel builds its relationships with like-minded people and clients who appreciate and respect our approach.

After a 15-year tenure as managing member, Paul Bradley has chosen to leave that position to serve as the firm’s first general counsel. During his time as managing member, the firm grew from a few attorneys in several offices to over 100 attorneys in 12 offices throughout the country. In the role of general counsel, Paul will advise firm management on issues concerning risk management, contractual arrangements, professional responsibilities, and other issues that mitigate the firm's risk. He also will continue to serve on the firm's Executive Committee.

A member of Maron Marvel since 2006, Paul will also continue his active law practice. Paul has more than 40 years of experience in mass toxic tort, product liability, class action, construction, and commercial litigation.

Please join us in thanking Paul for his years of service as the firm's managing member and congratulating him as he takes on his new role as general counsel.

Wilmington, DE, March 22, 2022 – Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC is pleased to announce Liana M. Nobile has been selected to the 2022 New Jersey Rising Stars list.

Liana is being recognized for her outstanding work in Civil Litigation – Defense. She is an associate attorney at our Jersey City office. Congratulations, Liana!

Super Lawyers, part of Thomson Reuters, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a patented multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area. The result is a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of exceptional attorneys. The Super Lawyers lists are published nationwide in Super Lawyers Magazines and in leading city and regional magazines and newspapers across the country. Super Lawyers Magazines also feature editorial profiles of attorneys who embody excellence in the practice of law. For more information about Super Lawyers, visit SuperLawyers.com.

Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC is sponsoring the Key Strategies to Reducing Policyholder’s Exposure webinar on Wednesday, March 23^rd from 3 to 4 PM ET.

Hosted by Perrin Conferences, this webinar will be led by Maron Marvel attorneys Robert E. Dille, Dan Alexander and John R. Robinson. Topics for discussion include:

· Attack Medical Bills & Liens

· Judicial Estoppel: Dismissing Plaintiff’s Case for Inconsistent Representations

· Federal Removal: Side-Stepping the Forum Defendant Rule

· Respondeat Superior and Negligent Hiring/Training/Entrustment Claims

· Negligence Per Se and Admissibility of Statute Violations

· Transferring Risk to Other Parties

· Contractual Agreements and Contractual Indemnity Provision

· Pulling It All Together – A Case Study

To view further details and register, click here.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our Member and colleague Thomas W. Tardy III, who passed away on March 7, 2022. Tom, based in the firm's Ridgeland, MS office, had a distinguished legal career that spanned nearly 50 years.

"It's an especially sad day for us at Maron Marvel as we grieve the loss of a man whose leadership and vision helped build the success and culture of our firm," commented Jack McCants, Managing Member of the firm's Ridgeland, MS office. "For those of us fortunate enough to have worked with Tom, his mentorship, expertise in client relationships, and encouragement were integral to the success of our legal careers."

Tardy joined the firm in 2015 and was instrumental in expanding the firm's toxic tort practice’s national footprint. He retired in January 2022 and took on an Of Counsel role at Maron Marvel. During his remarkable career, Tom served as lead trial counsel, national counsel, MDL counsel, and local counsel for Fortune 100 companies to small local businesses. His clients routinely called on him to assist in some of their most challenging litigation and negotiations. His notable victories in mass tort litigation span nearly three decades and are marked as points of demarcation for the litigation, including landmark decisions like Mangialardi in Mississippi that led to substantive tort reform and his arguments and success for clients on the "bare metal defense." Tom was also a pioneer and played a significant role in developing the national coordinating counsel model many firms use today.

Throughout his career, Tom received professional acclaim, including being named a Chambers USA Leading Individuals – Litigation, Top 50 Mississippi Super Lawyers®, Mid-South Super Lawyers®, The Best Lawyers in America®, a Benchmark Litigation Local Litigation Star and was rated Preeminent AV™ by Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review.

Tom served in the U.S. Army, where he was an Instructor, Officer's Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, and Reconnaissance Platoon Leader, Vietnam. He is survived by his wife Rebecca, his daughter Mary Margaret Tardy and his son Thomas Tardy.

We offer our sincerest condolences to his family, as well as to the many friends and colleagues he had. Tom Tardy will be forever remembered at Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy.

Wilmington, DE, February 15, 2022 – Maron Marvel Director Jaime Careathers will be presenting “What Do We Expect for 2022 and Beyond?” at the Cutting-Edge Issues in Asbestos Litigation Conference.

This two-day conference will be held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel from March 7-8, 2022. To view further details and register, click here.

Wilmington, DE, February 9, 2022 – Maron Marvel attorneys Chad D. Mountain and Shounak K. Sarkar will be presenting “Persuading the Millennial Juror” at the Mass Tort Litigation Virtual Conference. The presentation will discuss how to understand the unique characteristics of millennials and effective methods to reach them at trial.

This conference will be held on Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at 11 AM EST. To view further details and register, click here.

Wilmington, DE, January 28, 2022 – Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC is pleased to announce its attorneys selected to the 2022 Illinois Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.

Among this year’s Illinois Super Lawyer honorees are three of the firm’s members:

· Scott W. Henry – Class Action/Mass Torts: Defense

· Melissa M. Fallah – Personal Injury – Products: Defense

· Adam Jagadich – Personal Injury – Products: Defense

Additionally, the following attorneys from the firm’s Chicago, IL office were chosen to the Rising Stars list:

· Daniel S. Alexander – Civil Litigation: Defense

· Kyle R. Clapper – Civil Litigation: Defense

· Leslie A. Federer – Personal Injury – Products: Defense

Wilmington, DE, January 24, 2022 – Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy LLC is excited to announce the launch of the Environmental and Toxic Tort Advisor, a blog dedicated to news, legal updates and commentary on issues impacting environmental and toxic tort liability.

Edited by environmental and toxic tort practice group leaders, Chad D. Mountain, Rob W. Petti and Shounak K. Sarkar, this online bi-monthly blog offers insight and analysis regarding the latest in environmental, toxic tort and asbestos defense. Maron Marvel is tapping into their pool of experienced and nationally ranked attorneys to inform readers about trending topics within the world of environmental and toxic tort law.

Maron Marvel is a defense litigation firm with nearly 100 attorneys and 12 offices nationwide. Recognized in the 2022 edition of U.S. News – Best Law Firms^® in America as a National Tier One Firm in Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, the firm prides itself on its legal acumen, resolving cases as quickly as possible through the use of technology, cost-efficiency, and exceptional client service.

See our first blog update here: http://www.maronmarvel.com/news-insights/us-epa-takes-significant-step-to-designate-pfas-as-cercla-hazardous-substance

Bio-jim-maron-1515166760 Jim Maron, Maron Marvel’s founder, has decided to retire as Member, Chairman and President of the Firm’s Management Committee. Jim will continue to serve in an Of Counsel role with the firm. We are profoundly appreciative of Jim’s leadership and commitment to the firm and his vision over the last 25 years.

As the founding member of Maron Marvel, Jim's innovation in litigation and technology has driven the firm to be one of the premier toxic tort law firms in the country. Jim’s idea to use technology to produce better outcomes for clients and reduce costs was visionary.

A formidable force in the courtroom and at the settlement table, Jim was a tenacious advocate for his clients, providing the best possible counsel. Notably,for more than 25 years, Jim served as national coordinating counsel for a multinational oil and gas company. In this role, Jim oversaw the defense of the company's portfolio of litigation, which included several areas of law and complex litigation matters.

In addition to his work at Maron Marvel, Jim also helped the underprivileged and underrepresented as he was actively involved with several philanthropic causes.He served as a Special Master in Family Court. He is a board member and general counsel for Exceptional Care for Children, a pediatric skilled nursing facility, where he oversees all legal matters that focus on serving severely impaired children.

Please join us in thanking Jim for his years of dedication to Maron Marvel and congratulating him as he embarks on the next chapter of his life.