John Kearney Receives Dreier Award from NJ State Bar Association

4/11/17

John B. Kearney, Managing Partner of Ballard Spahr's New Jersey office, has received the William A. Dreier Award from the Products Liability and Mass Tort Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) in recognition of excellence in and advancement of product liability and mass tort law in New Jersey.

Mr. Kearney was presented the award at the Section's Multicounty Litigation 2017 seminar on Tuesday, March 28, at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick. The award is given annually to an attorney or judge who has demonstrated a sustained commitment to increased understanding of product liability and mass tort law and who has exhibited and promoted excellence in its practice.

"John is truly a pillar of the litigation bar in New Jersey," said Geoffrey A. Kahn, Chair of Ballard Spahr's Litigation Department, with more than 200 attorneys nationwide. "His accomplishments are legion—including conceiving and creating the Dreier Award eight years ago when he chaired the Product Liability and Mass Tort Section. His skills are widely recognized and admired, and his integrity is unquestioned. So he certainly is a fitting and deserving honoree."

"As the current Chair of the Product Liability and Mass Tort section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, I am honored to present the Dreier Award this year to John," said Rachel A. Placitella. "His reputation as the consummate professional in our field is legendary."

The award is named for the distinguished retired judge who served New Jersey state courts for more than 25 years, including as Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division. Judge Dreier, now in private practice as an arbitrator and mediator, was the inaugural award recipient in 2009. Other past recipients include retired Judge John Keefe, Sr., who also served as Appellate Division Presiding Judge, and current state Supreme Court Justice Anne M. Patterson.

Mr. Kearney represents clients at trial and in litigation in an array of complex civil cases involving product liability, toxic torts, environmental and commercial disputes, class actions, and personal injury, including wrongful death. Highly ranked by publications such as The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, he has secured major victories for nationally known corporate clients at trial, by advantageous settlement, and through alternative dispute resolution. In addition to formerly serving as Chair of the NJSBA's Product Liability and Mass Tort Section, his numerous professional and civic leadership activities include serving for the past six years as a trustee of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, through which federal judges and attorneys work together to enhance federal practice.

The Product Liability and Mass Tort Section reviews all civil liabilities arising from product liability statutes and general product liability law from personal injury and property damage perspectives, as well as all toxic and hazardous substance liabilities arising from different statutes. The NJSBA serves, protects, fosters, and promotes the personal and professional interests of its members. The association provides educational opportunities to New Jersey attorneys to enhance the quality of legal services and the practice of law, and promotes access to the justice system, fairness in its administration, and the independence and integrity of the judicial branch.

About Ballard Spahr
Ballard Spahr LLP, an Am Law 100 law firm with more than 500 lawyers in 15 offices in the United States, provides a range of services in litigation, business and finance, real estate, intellectual property, and public finance. Our clients include Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, life sciences and technology companies, health systems, investors and developers, government agencies and sponsored enterprises, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations. The firm combines a national scope of practice with strong regional market knowledge. For more information, please visit www.ballardspahr.com.

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