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.
- A pharmaceutical company in a consolidated toxic tort case involving hundreds of claims alleging cancer and wrongful death stemming from the manufacture and disposal of nuclear material in connection with the Manhattan Project.*
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.
*Matter handled prior to joining Paul, Weiss
