Domestic and international manufacturers turn to Mr. Yeatman for legal matters involving class action, mass tort, consumer fraud, products liability, and warranty litigation.
A member of the Firm's Complex Litigation and Class Actions Group, Mr. Yeatman has significant experience with automotive and pharmaceutical product liability litigation. His practice focuses on the preparation, trial, and appeal of complex civil litigation cases, many of which involve complicated technological and procedural issues.
Mr. Yeatman has represented a number of clients in statewide and nationwide class action suits and multi-district litigation (MDL) proceedings, including actions arising from mass disasters or based on claims of product defect or consumer fraud. He has successfully opposed motions for class certification in numerous jurisdictions, both in state and federal court. Most recently, Mr. Yeatman successfully argued the motion to dismiss a major MDL proceeding against a major domestic automotive manufacturer relating to allegedly fraudulent fuel economy estimates.
He assists clients in the areas of case investigation, discovery practice, motions practice, and the preparation and presentation of expert witness testimony. He also has broad experience in drafting and negotiating warranties and commercial contracts, including drafting and revising warranty provisions for several international manufacturers of heavy machinery and automobiles.
With experience assisting numerous product manufacturers and distributors, Mr. Yeatman represents clients in cases involving serious personal injury and death relating to allegations of product defects or malfunction, including serving in national counsel and coordinating roles. In those roles, he has managed the investigation and defense of fatality and serious personal injury claims.
Mr. Yeatman's practice also includes counseling companies regarding governmental reporting obligations and compliance with various federal statutes and regulations, including the Consumer Product Safety Act. He has handled numerous investigations into potential product safety defects, prepared and submitted Section 15(b) reports to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), and served as the interface with the CPSC on product recalls. In connection with these activities, Mr. Yeatman has also advised clients about their potential remedies against remote suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors associated with product recalls. In addition, he has prepared submissions in response to investigations and requests for information from governmental agencies such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). He has also supervised product recalls through NHTSA, including preparing defect reports, negotiating with NHTSA regarding the content of consumer point-of-sale notifications, and submitting quarterly recall status reports.
Relying on his significant experience with appellate litigation, Mr. Yeatman has argued cases in the Maryland Court of Special Appeals and submitted briefs and pleadings in numerous appellate courts, including the Maryland Court of Appeals, Maryland Court of Special Appeals, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and United States Supreme Court. He has also prepared amicus curiae appellate briefs and submissions on behalf of trade groups.