Richard E. Wallace

Rick was the national trial counsel and coordinating counsel for major clients in mass tort matters across the country. He represented four oil companies in a putative nationwide class action in which he was appointed by the court as liaison counsel for the industry. He also represented three companies in another putative national class action, and several companies in putative statewide and regional class actions around the nation. He currently represents defendants in multidistrict litigation on product liability claims and serves on the defense steering committee for cases involving hundreds of parties.

Rick has considerable appellate experience, having successfully defended trial court victories in state and federal appellate courts. He also has represented trade associations and other parties as amici in state and federal appeals.

Rick has arbitrated cases before various tribunals over issues ranging from construction disputes to contract claims to environmental liabilities. He also has served as a sole arbitrator and on panels of arbitrators in various matters.

Rick has been recognized for his work in litigation by Chambers, DC Super Lawyers and Who’s Who in American Law. He was  a fellow of Litigation Counsel of America and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. Rick has performed a significant amount of pro bono work. He has worked on reform litigation in the mental health field and accepted a court appointment to handle the trial of a federal class action on behalf of Hispanic prisoners in the D.C. corrections system. He is also an active pilot with Angel Flight, flying cancer patients between their homes and treatment centers. He is a father of four, aging hockey player, reckless skier, and trout bum.