Jim Hollis and Dart Meadows Present at Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Annual Meeting

Jim Hollis and Dart Meadows, partners in the firm’s Atlanta office, led a presentation at the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC) Annual Meeting on the growing litigation tactic of using discovery not to collect information, but to obtain sanctions and force settlement. 

The conference took place from July 28-August 3, 2024, in Toronto, Canada. 

Jim and Dart, members of the firm’s Litigation team, in the Product Liability & Casualty Practice, addressed the increasing trend among plaintiff lawyers to weaponize discovery in product liability litigation by way of overreaching discovery, frequently followed by motions to compel and a motion for sanctions. They discussed real-world examples and shared effective strategies for identifying, combatting, and neutralizing these practices to protect their clients.

Their insights provided attendees with practical tools and knowledge to better navigate and manage complex discovery issues in litigation.

Jim focuses his practice on product liability and complex commercial litigation. He represents designers and manufacturers of products in class actions, mass torts, and individual claims involving serious bodily injury or death. He also regularly represents a variety of companies in complex business disputes and class actions. Jim represents his clients in appellate courts, trial courts, and arbitration.

Jim is a trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience successfully resolving cases before, during and through trial.  He currently sits on the board of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association and is a former Chair of its Products Liability Committee.  He is a member of the FDCC and is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the “Product Liability Litigation - Defendants” practice area.

Dart is a trial lawyer with 40 years of experience in successfully resolving a wide variety of complex disputes. He has tried and defended hundreds of cases in state and federal court in over 35 states. His focus is on business litigation, product liability, healthcare, and real estate litigation. Dart has developed a national practice representing domestic and international woodworking machinery manufacturers, distributors, and dealers in product liability litigation.

Dart serves as Vice-Chair of FDCC’s Product Liability Section and is recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the “Personal Injury Litigation- Defendants” practice area. Dart is a past president of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association, a past president of its Product Liability Committee and currently sits on its Board of Directors.

The FDCC, composed of recognized leaders in the legal community who have achieved professional distinction, is dedicated to promoting knowledge, fellowship, and professionalism of its members as they pursue the course of a balanced justice system and represent those in need of a defense in civil lawsuits.