Joseph J. Krasovec,
III
Joe is the Firmwide Co-Managing Partner of ArentFox Schiff and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee.
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He works with a broad spectrum of companies to control and reduce their exposure to litigation risk. Regardless of the case, his clients’ business and litigation objectives are always top of mind.
An accomplished litigator for more than 30 years, Joe has managed hundreds of cases in over 40 jurisdictions to successful resolution, whether through a negotiated settlement, mediation, arbitration, or jury trial. He performs early case assessments to determine the appropriate strategy and resources to deliver the most cost-effective outcome for his clients.
An Accomplished Litigator
Joe has first-chaired a variety of cases, from the start of discovery to trial and through the appellate courts. He has tried many high-stakes jury trials to obtain favorable verdicts for his clients to protect their brand equity. His practice focuses primarily on the defense of product liability matters, but he also has extensive experience in commercial litigation. Joe has also defeated several consumer product-related class action lawsuits alleging consumer fraud in a variety of contexts by winning motions to dismiss, summary judgment, or through denial of class certification.
A Sophisticated Adviser
In addition to trying cases before juries in courtrooms across the country, Joe counsels product manufacturers on potential liability considerations related to product labeling and false advertising, instructions, testing, and design. He also counsels manufacturers under investigation by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), both in satisfying the clients reporting obligations and working with the CPSC in structuring appropriate corrective action measures.
Specifically, Joe serves as national product liability counsel for two large consumer product manufacturers. In this role, he has successfully managed a substantial number of cases to drive down new case filings and reduce the costs associated with resolving those cases that are filed.
Client Work
Representative Jury Trials
- After a two-week trial in East Texas, a jury returned a defense verdict in favor of our client involving a child car seat in which the demand was in excess of $25 million. The trial was conducted in person in November 2021 during the COVID pandemic.
- In the wrongful death case of an infant seated in what the plaintiff claimed as a defective child seat, a jury returned a defense verdict in the face of a demand in excess of $10 million after a two-week trial in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.
- Jury verdict in Virginia in favor of a manufacturer of a pressure vessel that exploded into a man’s face, blinding him in one eye.
- Jury verdict in Texarkana, Texas in favor a child seat manufacturer involving a motor vehicle accident in which a child was severely injured. Demand exceeded $40 million.
- Jury verdict in favor of a stroller manufacturer in a wrongful death case in Florida involving an infant who died when left alone to sleep in the stroller.
- In Illinois, the successful defense of a manufacturer of cappuccino machines for burns sustained when a hot beverage was spilled into the plaintiff’s lap.
- Jury verdict in Indiana in favor of the manufacturer of an infant swing that had been recalled twice with multiple prior incidents admitted into evidence.
- Successful defense during a jury trial of a manufacturer of a chemical used to make butter flavoring involving an alleged lung condition suffered by the plaintiff in Missouri.
- In Iowa, the successful defense of a propane torch manufacturer in an explosion case in which a child was burned.
- Obtained $1.8 million verdict in claim for contribution in Michigan against the maker of burner units after the client settled an underlying wrongful death case involving a camping heater that incorporated one of the burner units.
Published Decisions
- McCune v. Graco Children’s Products, Inc., 495 Fed. Appx. 535 (5th Cir. 2012)
- O’Neil v. Simplicity, Inc., 574 F.3d 501 (8th Cir. 2009)
- In re: Graco Children’s Products, Inc., 210 S.W.3d 598 (Tex. 2006)
- Tober v. Graco Children’s Products, Inc., 431 F. 3d 5012 (7th Cir. 2005)
Boards, Memberships & Certifications
- PLAC (formerly known as the Product Liability Advisory Council), Sustaining Member
Publications, Presentations & Recognitions
Presentations
- “Demystifying the Creation and Use of 3-D Printed Objects for Litigation and Other Legal Proceedings,” American Bar Association (Apr. 25, 2018)
- “Balancing the Lawyer’s Duty of Candor toward the Tribunal with the Duty of Zealous Representation,” Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Section on Professional Responsibility (Feb 7, 2018)
- “Class Actions and NHTSA Investigations,” Chicago Bar Association Young Lawyer’s Section on Regulatory Compliance (Jan. 29, 2016)
- “Making a ‘Mock’ery of Your Case: The Pros and Cons of Mock Trials,” Litigation Management CLE SuperCourse, Network of Trial Law Firms (Apr. 27, 2014)
Recognitions
- The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers (2019-2024)
- Illinois Leading Lawyer, Law Bulletin’s Illinois Leading Lawyers Network (2009-2021)
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IndustriesPractices
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Education
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, JD, 1989University of Denver, BS, cum laude, 1986