The attorneys at Jackson, Miss.-based Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP know all about defending toxic exposre cases in venues traditionally viewed as friendly to plaintiffs. Earlier this year, their defense victory in a jurisdiction described as a "judicial hell holl" drew national media attention. Last week, the firm walked away with another take-nothing defense verdict in a Mississippi asbestos exposure case.

Plaintiff Bob K. Martin, a former oilfield worker, claimed that his health problems were caused by exposure to asbestos between 1965 and 1986 while working in oilfields in the southeastern United States. Following a two week trial, jurors returned a defense victory for Union Carbide Corporation, ConocoPhillips Company and Montello, Inc. Forman Perry is a real pioneer in multidistrict litigation covering silica and asbestos products, and their work has led to the dismissals of tens of thousands of claims.

"We are very pleased about the juror's careful consideration of the facts in this case," says Marcy B. Croft, lead counsel from the Forman Perry defense team representing Union Carbide, who worked in conjunction with National Trial Counsel Kevin M. Jordan of Baker Botts, LLP, and Michael G. Terry of Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dryer & Kern, LLP. "We maintained from day one that our client acted responsibly, and this verdict is proof."