EXPERIENCE

Kim has deep experience litigating in federal and state courtrooms across the country, with a particular emphasis on the most high-profile mass torts and product liability matters, as well as high-stakes securities class actions and other complex civil litigation. Kim’s representations include:

• Johnson & Johnson in securing multiple complete defense verdicts as lead trial counsel in product liability litigation where the plaintiffs alleged that J&J’s talcum-based baby powder products contained asbestos that caused the plaintiff to develop mesothelioma. The trial wins were recognized by the Daily Journal as “Top Defense Verdicts” in 2018 and 2019, as well as by Law360 as one of the “Top Product Liability Cases of 2018.”
• 3M as lead defense counsel and lead trial counsel, notably securing multiple favorable trial verdicts, in a multibillion-dollar product liability litigation involving allegations that a product sold to the military is related to hearing loss suffered by servicemen and women. The case is recognized as the largest federal multidistrict litigation in U.S. history.
• GlaxoSmithKline as liaison and lead trial counsel in consolidated proceedings in California involving thousands of claimants who allege that an antacid medication has carcinogenic properties.
• GM in multidistrict federal and state civil litigation relating to ignition switches in its vehicles, securing victories in the second federal bellwether trial and the first state bellwether trial.
• Omega Flex in product liability litigation involving allegations that its product, CSST flexible steel gas piping, was defective.
• BP in multidistrict and related civil litigation arising out of the April 2010 Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion and oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
• BP in multidistrict securities fraud litigation alleging it and other defendants materially misrepresented the client’s stock prior to and immediately following the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig explosion.
• Aon in a professional liability action arising from damage to the Opry Mills Mall after the historic flooding of the Cumberland River in Nashville.
• Multiple pharmaceutical industry clients, including Merck, Pfizer, Hoffmann-La Roche and AstraZeneca, among others, in mass tort and multidistrict litigation involving product liability claims related to their prescription medicines.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

Kim is widely recognized by leading publications and legal directories for her trial accomplishments and expertise. The American Lawyer named Kim to its 2022 list of “West Trailblazers,” which recognizes lawyers in the western states who have moved the needle in the legal industry. Chambers USA has recognized Kim in the Product Liability & Mass Torts (USA) category for the past four years, describing her as a “well-regarded trial lawyer who has amassed a broad range of experience in mass torts and class actions.” The Legal 500 US also recognizes Kim in its Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action-Defense categories across consumer products, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices and toxic torts, describing her as a “strong practitioner with excellent strategic smarts.” The Daily Journal recognized her as one of the “Top 100 Lawyers” in California in 2019 and one of the “Top Women Lawyers” in California in 2019, 2020 and 2021. Forbes recognized Kim on its inaugural 2024 “America’s Top 200 Lawyers” list. The Los Angeles Business Journal named Kim to its “Top Litigators & Trial Lawyers” and “Most Influential Women Lawyers” lists in 2019 and Law360 named her a “Rising Star” in 2017.