Biography

Michael Fox represents energy companies, chemical and equipment manufacturers, and construction companies in toxic tort, environmental release, general liability, and serious personal injury matters.  He has extensive experience litigating complex, multi-party disputes involving alleged exposure to asbestos, chemicals, and other airborne and groundwater contaminants.

Mr. Fox also handles a variety of commercial litigation matters involving unfair competition, fraud, insurance, and contract disputes.  He also counsels clients on risk and crisis management, regulatory compliance, and government investigations.

Litigation Matters

• Currently defends several commercial clients in mass toxic tort cases involving claims of premises and products liability and alleged exposure to asbestos, silica, welding fumes, and gadolinium-based contrast agents.
• Over the last eight years, served as lead attorney for several premises liability asbestos litigation dockets, representing oil refiners, construction companies, brewing companies, and utility providers.
• Defended a major construction company in a mass tort action filed by dozens of its employees arising from their exposure to welding fumes while working in confined spaces.
• Served as trial counsel for petroleum and construction companies in numerous cases that resolved during the motion in limine and jury selection phase. 
• Defended pesticide applicator in toxic exposure case brought by 84 residents of neighboring field where our client applied metam sodium.  The case resolved by mediation one month before trial for a nominal sum.
• Obtained a voluntary no-pay dismissal for our client, a major oil refining company, in a benzene-related personal injury action brought by a 49-year-old woman suffering from acute myelogenous leukemia (AML).
• Worked with a major oil company to develop practices and procedures to ensure compliance with regulatory standards concerning employee exposure to benzene.
• Represented an insurance company in a federal grand jury investigation of agency fraud.
• Served as regional trial counsel for a major general merchandise retailer, handling a vast array of public liability matters throughout California.
• Tried several cases to verdict while working with the San Francisco Public Defender’s Office as part of the firm’s pro bono program.

Publications & Presentations

Mr. Fox's recent publications include:

• "Asbestos Litigation in California: Can it Change for the Better?" Pepperdine Law Review (V. 34, 2007), coauthored with Sedgwick attorneys
• "Guiding Juries," Daily Journal (November 2007)

His recent speaking engagements include:

• “Naturally Occurring Asbestos,” Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada (April 2007)
• “The Low Dose Defense,” Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada (May 2007)
• “Venue and Forum Non Conveniens,” Harris Martin’s California Asbestos & Silica Litigation Conference (September 2007)

Memberships & Honors

He is a member of the Litigation and Environmental Sections of the Bar Association of San Francisco and the California State Bar. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and its Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the ABA, and the Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada.