Schiff Hardin LLP today announced the addition of Steven E. Swaney as a partner in the Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice in the San Francisco office. Swaney represents companies in product liability, class action, and multidistrict matters arising out of product defect, breach of warranty, toxic tort, and consumer fraud claims. As former assistant U.S. attorney (AUSA), he also advises on commercial and white collar criminal matters. Prior to joining Schiff Hardin, Swaney was a partner at Squire Patton Boggs.

“We are pleased to welcome Steven to our team in San Francisco,” said Thomas Crispi, co-leader of the firm’s Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group. “Our clients – especially in California – are increasingly seeing a cross-over between traditional product liability claims and consumer class action matters, and Steve brings extensive experience in these areas.”

“The addition of Steven enables us to expand our work on the West Coast and strategically build on product liability, one of Schiff Hardin’s marquee practices,” said Jacquelynne Jennings, coordinating partner of the San Francisco office.

Swaney is known for his strategic approach in class actions and other complex litigation using aggressive motion practice and discovery tactics early on in litigation to challenge plaintiffs. Most of the class actions he has been involved with have been dismissed on the pleadings, defeated at summary judgment, or rejected at class certification.

Swaney served for more than six years as an AUSA in the District of Columbia and Maryland, where he tried more than 20 cases to juries, directed more than 100 grand jury investigations, and argued appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and the District of Columbia Court of Appeals. He also co-authored an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in a capital case.

“I am thrilled to be joining Schiff Hardin, which has an impressive national platform representing clients in high-stakes product liability litigation across key industry sectors such as technology, automotive, consumer, and juvenile products,” said Swaney. “In addition to product liability work, I also look forward to working with Schiff Hardin’s commercial and white collar teams.”

Mr. Swaney served as a clerk for the Honorable Rosemary M. Collyer, U.S. District Judge for the District of Columbia. Swaney earned his J.D. from the Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, cum laude, and his B.A. from Santa Clara University, cum laude.

Schiff Hardin’s Product Liability and Mass Torts Practice Group handles litigation matters against some of the most well-financed plaintiff lawyers in the country. The group has tried and won cases in some of the most plaintiff-friendly and inhospitable jurisdictions in the country, and handles cases from the trial level through appeals, including at the U.S. Supreme Court.