Education

  • Syracuse University, B.A. (2006) magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
  • University of Maryland School of Law, J.D. (2009) Order of the Coif, magna cum laude

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. District Court, District of Columbia

Rebecca Baden Chaney

Partner
rchaney@crowell.com
+1.202.624.2772

Transportation, micromobility, consumer, and other product manufacturers lean on Rebecca Chaney’s keen understanding of each team's legal landscape to advance their businesses. Rebecca applies her commercial-focused product risk lens to represent product manufacturers facing litigation, commercial, and regulatory challenges.

Rebecca is an industry-recognized force in litigating complex product-related warranty, defect, indemnity and contractual commercial disputes, and consumer litigation, including in class actions and mass tort proceedings. She counsels her commercial clients on product disputes, risk mitigation, and crisis management matters. Rebecca additionally defends clients against defamation claims. Clients appreciate Rebecca’s close coordination with them, her proactive approach, and her critical and creative thinking about each stage in a litigation or matter.

Rebecca’s approach embraces product liability risk management across the life cycle of product commercialization, from pre- to post-launch to aftermarket. This includes advice on product labeling, as well as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Consumer Product Safety Commission regulatory compliance, recall, and enforcement issues.



Affiliations

Professional Activities and Memberships

  • Member, American Bar Association, Litigation and Young Lawyers Sections, Products Liability and Women in Products Liability Subsections
  • Member, DRI, Product Liability Section


Representative Matters

  • Representing leading Tier 1 automotive parts supplier in multiple disputes and litigation concerning defect and indemnity claims; representation includes favorable resolution of a dispute with claims valued in excess of $1 billion.
  • Achieved and defended on appeal dismissal on the pleadings for a hotel door lock manufacturer in four consolidated putative class action lawsuits filed by hotels alleging that plaintiffs’ locks were “hackable.”
  • Achieved and defended on appeal dismissal on the pleadings for an automotive manufacturer in a putative class action lawsuit alleging warranty, consumer protection and invasion of privacy claims on the grounds that plaintiffs’ vehicles were “hackable.”
  • Achieved and defended on appeal dismissal on the pleadings for a smoke alarm manufacturer in a putative class action lawsuit alleging that the products were defective and deceptively advertised.
  • Negotiated and supported a limited fund class action settlement to resolve more than 300 lawsuits asserted against a university following its loss of accreditation.
  • Representing a medical device manufacturer in product liability litigation filed in multiple jurisdictions in the U.S.
  • Achieved dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds of a U.S. component part manufacturer in MDL litigation arising from the crash of Air France Flight 447. 
  • Resolved successfully pre-suit litigation threatened against product manufacturer concerning marketing contract.
  • Advised offshore wind project in potential litigation of force majeure clause.
  • Prepared U.S. government contractor to defend breach of contract litigation following its termination of a subcontract.


Insights


Speeches & Presentations

  • "Torts & Product Liability Issues," Crowell & Moring's Supply Chain Webinar Series (January 12, 2022). Speakers: Rebecca Baden Chaney, John Fuson, Cheryl A. Falvey, Warren Lehrenbaum, and Carolyn W. Wagner.
  • "The Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill: A Summary of the Bill, the Funds, the Flow and the Timeline for New Projects," Crowell & Moring Webinar. (November 18, 2021). Speakers: Bryon R. Brown, Robert A. Burton, Lorraine M. Campos, Rebecca Baden Chaney, Michelle Coleman, W. Scott Douglas, Larry F. Eisenstat, James Flood, David J. Ginsberg, Robert Holleyman, Joshua M, Lindsay, Thomas Lorenzen, Stephen J. McBrady, and Scott Winkelman.
  • "The Safety Agencies in Transition – What to Expect at FDA, CPSC, and NHTSA in the First 100 Days," Crowell & Moring Webinar (March 30, 2017). Presenters: Cheryl A. Falvey, John Fuson, Matthew Cohen, Scott L. Winkelman, Lauren Bell, Daniel T. Campbell, and Rebecca Baden Chaney.
  • “On the Frontier of the Internet of Things: Cybersecurity, Regulation, and Litigation in a Hyper-Connected World,” Joint Program, ABA Public Contract Law Section’s Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Data Protection Committee and Science & Technology Law Section’s Homeland Security Committee (April 13, 2016). Presenters: Clifford J. Zatz, Rebecca Baden Chaney, and David Z. Bodenheimer.
  • "A Conversation About Driverless Vehicles, Regulation, and Litigation," Products Liability Committee Section of Litigation (August 26, 2014). Moderator: Laura Jastrem Walther; Presenter: Rebecca Baden Chaney.
  • "Changes to NHTSA Rules: Early Warning Reporting and Recall Procedures," Crowell & Moring Webinar (October 30, 2013). Presenters: Daniel T. Campbell, Michael L. Kuppersmith, and Rebecca Baden Chaney.
  • "Motor Vehicle Safety / NHTSA: Steering in the Right Direction: What you need to know about NHTSA enforcement, the ‘electrification’ of motor vehicles, and other automotive hot topics," Crowell & Moring Product Risk Management Seminar (October 19, 2011). Moderators: Dan Campbell; Rebecca Baden Chaney. Panelists: O. Kevin Vincent (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration); James Chen (Tesla Motors); Joe Stancati (Dana Holding Corporation).
  • "Trial Skills: Perceptions of Gender in the Courtroom," American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Women in Products Liability Regional CLE Workshop, Nashville, TN (October 2011). Co-Moderator: Rebecca Baden Chaney.


Publications



Client Alerts & Newsletters



Press Coverage



Firm News & Announcements

March 7, 2023 Thomson Reuters Names 16 Crowell Lawyers as “Stand-out Lawyers”
July 13, 2021 Law360 Names Crowell & Moring’s Rebecca Baden Chaney to “Rising Stars” of Transportation List
June 30, 2021 LITIGATION NOTE: Crowell & Moring Wins in English High Court for Dana UK Axle in Long-Running Breach of Contract Case
September 20, 2019 Super Lawyers Recognizes 82 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
March 12, 2019 Crowell & Moring Partners Scott Winkelman, John Gibson, and Rebecca Chaney Honored with Burton Awards' 'Law360 Distinguished Legal Writing Award'
January 3, 2019 Crowell & Moring Elects Eight New Partners and Promotes 21 Associates to Counsel
October 15, 2018 Super Lawyers Recognizes 82 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
October 31, 2017 Super Lawyers Recognizes 79 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
November 30, 2016 Super Lawyers Recognizes 71 Crowell & Moring Lawyers Across United States
October 27, 2015 Super Lawyers Recognizes 90 Crowell & Moring Attorneys
January 2, 2015 Crowell & Moring Elects Six New Partners and Promotes Eight Associates to Counsel
September 30, 2014 Super Lawyers 2014 Recognizes 90 Crowell & Moring Attorneys
October 5, 2011 Crowell & Moring Consumer Product Safety Seminar to Feature Senator Mark Pryor and Other Key Government Officials