Printable Biography

Chambers USA 2008 recognizes Conrad O’Brien as one of the top ranked litigation firms in Pennsylvania. With regard to Howard M. Klein, Chambers wrote:

Howard Klein debuts in the table for his “top-class, responsive work” in commercial litigation with a particular focus on medical malpractice cases. He continues to represent the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.

Biography

Howard Klein has 28 years of experience in a broad array of litigation, including commercial, professional liability, products liability, and medical malpractice cases, construction disputes, and class actions. He is listed in the 2007 Edition of Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation and Medical Malpractice Law.

Representative Matters include the following:

• Served as co-trial counsel for a number of tobacco companies in smoking and health litigation in Pennsylvania, as well as counsel in related actions.
• The representation of a major computer manufacturer in over 150 repetitive stress injury cases in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
• Served as lead and national counsel for contact lens solution manufacturer in suits alleging fungal eye infections.
• Served as lead counsel for leading chemical companies in range of cases, including cases claiming toxicity from exposure to benzene, toluene and ethyl xylene, respiratory injury and other personal injuries.
• The representation of a blood supplier in Pennsylvania in cases involving alleged transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C though blood products, and cases alleging venopuncture injuries.
• The representation of physicians and hospitals in Philadelphia in medical malpractice litigation, including The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
• Represented major oil refinery in litigation involving catastrophic personal injury and death claims brought against refinery, including cases involving explosions and trucking accidents involving multiple deaths and personal injuries.
• The representation of a major steel company in variety of matters, including:
  • An over $80 million claim for defective construction of a coke oven which involved complex issues of construction law as well as complicated scientific and technical issues;
  • Premises liability claims involving work place accidents, alleged toxic torts, including benzene and asbestos;
  • Alleged fraud claims surrounding sale of subsidiary.
• The representation of a major telecommunications equipment company in superfund litigation and in construction claims arising from design of superfund remediation project.
• The representation of lawyers and law firms in legal malpractice litigation, including representation of plaintiffs’ counsel in putative class action alleging breach of fiduciary duties in connection with settlement of asbestos cases.
• The representation of lawyers and other professionals in cases involving disputes surrounding dissolution of practices or partners leaving the firm.
• The representation of physicians and other professionals as personal counsel in litigation matters.

In addition to his litigation practice, Howard is a faculty member in the trial advocacy program at Temple University Law School. He is a NITA Instructor in its deposition skills program and is a frequent lecturer on trial advocacy subjects, including expert testimony issues, cross-examination skills, and substantive subjects in medical malpractice litigation. He is a former president of the Pennsylvania Association of Defense Counsel.