Foley Mansfield’s Coordinated Approach to High-Stakes Litigation

Across offices and jurisdictions, the Foley Mansfield team routinely handles matters from early motion practice through trial and appeal, strategically utilizing the right talent at the right moment. Several recent successes illustrate how the firm’s collaborative approach, attention to detail, and our attorneys’ depth of experience allows the Foley Mansfield team to manage complex litigation seamlessly and effectively across the United States.

For example, that depth of experience was on display in a talc matter scheduled for trial in California in 2025, which was resolved shortly before proceedings began. The litigation team included Los Angeles Partners Laila Rahimi-Keshari and Kimberly Rivera as local counsel; St. Louis Partner Benjamin Hegvik as National Coordinating Counsel; and Detroit Partner Gary Sharp, Chicago Partner Kasia Nowak, and St. Louis Attorney Kaylee Brown as trial counsel. Chicago Attorneys Brianna Bailey and Alaina Jraige supported the team through motion practice. This coordinated, cross-office approach combined local insight, national strategy, and strong trial preparation, positioning the firm to resolve the matter efficiently while remaining fully prepared to proceed to trial if necessary.

The same cross-office approach allowed Foley Mansfield to continue to represent a client seamlessly at the circuit court level and on appeal. In an alleged malpractice matter, Chicago Managing Partner Demetra Christos and Attorney Jessica Espinoza successfully argued a forum transfer, securing a ruling that moved the case from Cook County to Peoria County under the doctrine of forum non conveniens.

When the plaintiff filed a petition challenging that decision, Los Angeles Partner Margaret Johnson and Minneapolis Attorney Paul Magyar stepped in to successfully handle the appeal and defend the ruling. The Illinois Appellate Court ultimately upheld the trial court’s order, allowing the matter to proceed in the proper venue.

This result underscores Foley Mansfield’s capacity to smoothly transition matters between offices and across litigation stages, while simultaneously maintaining strategic continuity from trial court through appeal.

In a separate talc-related mesothelioma case, Minneapolis Partners Elizabeth Sorenson Brotten and Jason Mohr and St. Louis Partner Haley Combs quick action secured federal jurisdiction through a “snap removal” for their cosmetics client. The lawsuit was originally filed in Illinois state court, naming multiple defendants, including an in-state entity. The Foley Mansfield team filed a motion to remove the matter to federal court before the other defendants were served later that day. When the plaintiffs moved to remand, the Foley Mansfield team successfully opposed the plaintiff’s motion, and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois held that consent was required only from defendants who were “properly joined and served” at the time of removal.

The decision highlights that close attention to detail is critical at all phases of litigation. Precise timing and the Foley Mansfield team’s deep procedural knowledge made the difference here, reinforcing the firm’s ability to capitalize on opportunities as they arise.

These matters reflect Foley Mansfield’s core strengths: trial-focused advocacy, seamless cross-office collaboration, and a deep bench of capable attorneys supporting cases at every phase. Whether through dispositive motions, jurisdictional strategy, trial preparation, or appellate defense, Foley Mansfield is equipped to manage complex litigation from the initiation through trial and appeal. Foley Mansfield is a defense litigation firm with 13 offices across the country and attorneys licensed in 23 states. Our team is prepared to represent clients at every phase of litigation and deliver trusted defense counsel when it matters most.