David J. Butler

David is a decorated trial lawyer with extensive experience in complex civil litigation, mass tort class actions, and multidistrict litigation. He serves as chair of Taft’s Columbus Litigation group.

David brings his proactive approach to challenging, specialized casework. He concentrates his practice in federal court, representing companies and individuals in a wide range of complex civil litigation matters. He routinely serves as local counsel in federal court and as a mediator in civil legal matters.

A critical member of the Taft litigation team, David’s experience includes successes in headline-making mass tort matters for plaintiffs in various multidistrict litigations (including PFAS, hernia mesh, and opioids) that have recovered billions of dollars in damages and the successful defense of large class actions seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. David also handles a wide variety of complex business litigation in Ohio and throughout the United States.

• In re: E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company C-8 Personal Injury Litigation (Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel and bellwether trial counsel in this multidistrict litigation involving DuPont’s “forever chemical” C-8 and resulting personal injury claims).
• State of Ohio v. Philip Morris et al. (representation of the State of Ohio in its lawsuit against “Big Tobacco,” contributing significantly to the record-setting $10 billion settlement).
• In re: Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) Products Liability Litigation (representation of numerous sovereign and municipal plaintiffs in this sprawling multidistrict litigation related to claims involving PFAS contamination with billions in settlements to date).
• In re: KFI-Wind-Down Corp., Kidde-Fenwal Inc. (representation of the Plaintiff Executive Committee in the Aqueous Film-Forming Foams (AFFF) product liability litigation in this bankruptcy of an AFFF manufacturer).
• State of New Jersey v. 3M and DuPont Companies. (represented State of New Jersey in PFAS litigation resulting in record-breaking settlements).
• City of Parma, Ohio/City of Cleveland, Ohio v. Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (defended the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation in multiple lawsuits, including a purported class action, seeking hundreds of millions of dollars of alleged premium overpayments).
• In re: Davol, Inc./C.R. Bard, Inc., Polypropylene Hernia Mesh Products Liability Litigation (Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel and bellwether trial counsel in this multidistrict litigation involving defective hernia mesh and resulting personal injury claims).
• In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation (represented numerous municipalities in this nationwide opioid multidistrict litigation).