Manufacturing Law Center

The Manufacturing Law Center champions the interests of manufacturers in cases before the Supreme Court and federal and state courts of appeal. New laws, new regulations and aggressive new legal theories from the trial bar threaten the ability of manufacturers to compete in the world marketplace and to be treated fairly by the legal system. With manufacturers facing legal costs of some $865 billion annually, we devote our resources to pushing back in the courts on new burdens that have a direct impact on the competitive position of American manufacturers.

With a litigation docket of about 50 cases each year, we have traditionally focused on product liability, OSHA, taxation of interstate commerce, employment and benefits law, and civil procedure. We have also been a leading advocate to keep Alien Tort Statute suits within proper bounds.

Recently, our focus has shifted dramatically to EPA regulation. We have filed a substantial number of lawsuits against the EPA, and regularly file amicus briefs in the highest federal and state courts, in an effort to make sure that the agency does not exceed or abuse its statutory authority. We lead multi-industry coalitions challenging EPA regulation of greenhouse gases and ozone, and fight to defend against a constant barrage of suits by environmental groups in cases involving public trust and public nuisance, the EPA permitting process, and state environmental implementation plans.

Our mission is to ensure that the courts rein in excessive litigation and promote legal decisions that support a vibrant and prosperous manufacturing sector. It is important for judges to hear from us when deciding critical legal issues that have a profound effect on our ability to compete. The NAM’s appellate litigation program is an important and highly cost-effective ally in advancing the message, concerns and solutions of manufacturers in the courts.

NAM President and CEO Jay Timmons recently met with some representatives of law firms and organizations that the Manufacturing Law Center has worked with on cases of importance to manufacturers.  Seated are Cindy Langworthy of Hunton & WIlliams, Richard Samp of the Washington Legal Foundation, Dan O’Flaherty of the National Foreign Trade Council, Maurice Baskin of Venable, and Mark Behrens of Shook, Hardy & Bacon.  Standing are Martin Kaufman of Atlantic Legal Foundation, Roger Martella of Sidley Austin, Jay Timmons, Peter Kirsanow of Benesch Law, and Quentin Riegel, vice president of litigation for the NAM.