Konrad L. Cailteux specializes in the defense of products liability actions, mass tort matters, class actions and other complex litigation. He has had extensive experience in all phases of such litigation, including national coordination of cases, trial and appellate work.
Over the past several years, Mr. Cailteux has been involved in defending a number of major US and foreign corporations in actions brought in federal and state courts throughout the United States at both the trial court and appellate levels. He has also handled numerous matters before the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation. The actions in which he has been involved have concerned a wide variety of subjects, including PCBs, silicone gel breast implants, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, construction equipment, nuclear power plant construction, Alien Tort Statute litigations, and False Claims Act violations.
Given the nature of his practice, Mr. Cailteux has participated in the management of numerous high visibility corporate crisis situations over the years, including: media allegations of consumer product defects; product recalls; lawsuits alleging consumer fraud; lawsuits alleging mass injuries because of defectively-designed medical devices; lawsuits alleging wrongful deaths because of inadequate clinical trial procedures; and lawsuits alleging the use of forced labor and other human rights violations. Serving in the crisis management role, Mr. Cailteux has actively participated in the management of intensive adverse media coverage, Congressional hearings, federal agency investigations, class action and mass tort litigation onslaughts, and state attorney general investigations.
Mr. Cailteux is an active member of several committees of the American Bar Association. He has lectured and written on a number of issues involving the management of complex litigation, class actions, the Alien Tort Statute, the False Claims Act, and defending products liability and mass tort suits. Mr. Cailteux has also prepared amicus briefs in numerous high profile cases involving issues of critical importance in the product liability and mass tort area, including the landmark Supreme Court cases, State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. v. Campbell and Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael.
Mr. Cailteux was awarded the Grand Decoration of Honour for his services to the Republic of Austria for his work in assisting the Austrian Government in resolving litigation arising out of Nazi wrongdoing during World War II.