Darren VanPuymbrouck

Partner

For two decades, Darren VanPuymbrouck has represented clients in a wide range of complex product liability, contract, Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), fraud, Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), insurance, pharmaceutical, securities and real estate disputes in state and federal courts throughout the country. He employs an aggressive and focused approach to help define and achieve his clients' litigation goals as efficiently as possible. His ability to determine and implement those strategies has resulted in our firm's retention as national and regional counsel for numerous clients.

Mr. VanPuymbrouck has developed particular expertise in fire and explosion cases and in representing clients before the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). He has successfully litigated, settled and tried numerous product liability cases involving:

• Consumer electronics and appliances
• Juvenile products
• Mattress and bedding
• Industrial insulation materials
• Potable plumbing systems
• Glass and plastic containers and closures

He has appeared in state and federal courts throughout the country, including: Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

He also has negotiated county and statewide class action settlements in California, Nevada, and Arizona involving thousands of property damage cases and substantial punitive damages exposure.

Mr. VanPuymbrouck has served as national coordinating counsel directing trial strategy and supervising dozens of local attorneys in thousands of cases throughout the country.

He also coordinates compliance with the Consumer Product Safety Act and responses to CPSC, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Epidemiological Investigation Reports.

Publications

"When the Boilerplate Gets Hot," (Co-Author) Business and Commercial Law (September 2007)

"When a Purchase Agreement Is the Subject of Litigation, the 'Boilerplate' Language Gets Hot," Business Law Today, American Bar Association (2006-2007)

"The Consumer Product Safety Act: What You Need to Report," Bloomberg Corporate Law Journal, Vol. 1, Issue 1 (Winter 2006)

Speeches and Presentations

Mr. VanPuymbrouck regularly addresses the Defense Research Institute's Product Liability Group on mass-tort and other product liability issues. He also has addressed lawyers from China, South America, Europe and Australia, and engineering students and faculty at Vanderbilt University concerning American trial law.

"The Vital Role of Engineers in the Truth-Finding Process," Vanderbilt University (March 2005)

Pro Bono Activities

Mr. VanPuymbrouck represented a New York City firefighter who was injured while responding to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center. Mr. VanPuymbrouck secured a large award for his pro bono client from the 9/11 Commission.

Awards and Honors

Leading Lawyer — Products Liability Defense Law, Illinois Leading Lawyers Network

AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell

Education

Clerkships

Honorable William J. Bauer, Chief Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit (1986-1988)

Professional Memberships

Chicago Bar Association

American Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

Civic and Charitable Memberships

Walter Payton College Preparatory High School
Friends of Payton Organization
          President