Brian's practice focuses on product liability and commercial litigation. Recently, Brian has managed national and international product liability cases involving implanted medical devices. Brian developed risk management programs for companies to minimize exposure to product liability claims and advised companies on regulatory compliance, including responding to investigations by the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and similar regulatory bodies in Europe and Asia. Brian also counseled companies at all stages of the lifecycle of a product liability claim from the resolution of claims prior to litigation through the trial and appeal of complex cases.

From 1995 to 2001, Brian worked in-house in the risk management and legal departments of Sulzer Medica USA Inc. (which later was acquired by Zimmer, Inc.), most recently as its Assistant General Counsel, Product Liability. While at Sulzer Medica, Brian managed the worldwide product liability litigation for a manufacturer of medical devices such as orthopedic implants, spinal implants, heart valves, and stents. Brian also managed the domestic and international claims arising out of the recall of several thousand hip implant components and assisted in the negotiation and implementation of a national class action settlement. From 2001 to 2002, Brian was with the law firm Crosby, Heafey, Roach & May where he represented medical device manufacturers in product liability actions.

Areas of Focus

Brian’s experience and areas of focus include:

Product Liability Litigation
Since 1995, Brian has managed the defense of product liability lawsuits against medical device companies. Recently, he managed the worldwide litigation arising out of the recall of several thousand orthopedic products. His involvement in this matter included negotiating and implementing the class action settlement of those claims. In addition to his mass-tort experience, Brian has substantial experience litigating single claims in an expedient and cost-effective manner.

Insurance Coverage Litigation
Holding both the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate in Risk Management (ARM) designations demonstrate the technical insurance knowledge Brian possesses. His experience as the risk manager for a publicly-traded medical device company provided him with first hand knowledge and experience of corporate insurance programs and how insurance companies operate. Brian has experience prosecuting, and, when necessary, litigating coverage disputes against insurance companies.

International Litigation
Brian has experience coordinating the defense of litigation in courts throughout the world. Brian has coordinated lawsuits in such diverse jurisdictions as India, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, and Argentina. His knowledge and experience of the customs and procedures of courts in these countries, and his familiarity with attorneys in these countries allow him to coordinate international litigation in a manner that complements an overall corporate litigation strategy.

Brian holds the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) and Associate of Risk Management (ARM) designations from the Insurance Institute of America. Brian is a member of the Risk and Insurance Management Society and the Society of Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters and has lectured on various insurance, risk management, and product liability topics.

Brian works with the Lawyer's Committee for Civil Rights where he represents refugees seeking political asylum. He has traveled extensively throughout Central and South America and Europe, and enjoys hiking, whitewater rafting and snow skiing.

Contact Information

Phone: (415) 981-9265

Facsimile: (415) 981-9266

E-mail: bdevine@seegersalvas.com