Mack H. Shultz
- Firmwide Chair, Product Liability Litigation
Focused on complex product liability litigation throughout the United States and around the world, Mack, a partner in the Seattle office, represents companies in a variety of fields, including aviation, automotive, consumer electronics, virtual reality, and medical devices.
Mack Shultz advises clients on a variety of strategies to reduce risk exposure, including risk-allocation provisions in contracts, appropriate warnings, manuals, and other customer-facing documents and compliance with various regulatory regimes. He assists companies in planning for future contingencies, responding to accidents, and participating in government investigations. He also defends manufacturers against whistleblower claims, trying one such case in 2014 in which he not only obtained a defense verdict for his client, but also received an award of costs against the plaintiff for bringing a frivolous claim.
A frequent author and speaker, Mack recently co-authored the third edition of A Manufacturer's Guide to Product Liability Law in the United States. He also is one of the leaders of the firm's product liability workshop program. These workshops use real-life scenarios to teach participants how to reduce present and future exposure to product liability risks. He provides a practical, hands-on approach to demonstrate that litigation prevention, risk management, regulatory compliance and proper incident response are the responsibility of every employee.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard University, A.B., Government, magna cum laude, 1994
- Georgetown University Law Center, J.D., magna cum laude, Order of the Coif, 1997
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Related Employment
- Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, LLP, Seattle, Associate, 1997-2000
- Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, LLP, Seattle, Summer Clerk, 1996
Professional Recognition
Ranked by Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" for Transportation: Aviation: Litigation, 2020-2024
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Product Liability Litigation
In re Air Crash over the Southern Indian Ocean on March 8, 2014
Defending aircraft manufacturer in litigation arising from the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.
In re September 11 Litigation
Defended aircraft manufacturer in litigation seeking over twenty billion dollars for deaths, injuries and property damage resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Amedi v. BAE Systems Inc.
Defended manufacturer of military vehicle used in Iraq. Obtained dismissal of all claims on the basis of the political question doctrine. 782 F. Supp. 2d 1350 (N.D. Ga. 2011).
In Re Asiana Flight 214
Defending aircraft manufacturer in litigation arising out of July 6, 2013 crash of Asiana Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport.
Stafford v. The Boeing Company
Defended aircraft manufacturer in litigation arising out of crash of British Airways Flight 38 at Heathrow International Airport.
Gambra v. International Lease Finance Company, et al.
Defending aircraft manufacturer in litigation arising out of crash of Flash Airlines Flight 604 off the coast of Egypt. Successfully obtained forum non conveniens dismissal of all U.S. litigation. 377 F. Supp. 2d 810 (C.D. Cal. 2005). France’s highest court, the Cour de Cassation, ruled in client’s favor on a critical jurisdictional issue.
Geddis v. Toshiba Corp., et al.
Defended consumer electronics manufacturer in personal injury claim.
Sheffels v. Boeing, et al.
Defense verdict in case involving wrongful death and brain injury claims arising from an aircraft crash allegedly caused by wake turbulence from a military aircraft.
Brinson v. Raytheon Aircraft Co., et al.
Defended aircraft component part manufacturer against wrongful death claim arising from crash of military training aircraft.