Daniel P. Ridlon
- Firmwide Co-Chair, Autonomous & Uncrewed Vehicle Systems Industry Group
Dan defends companies in product liability litigation and counsels them on risk avoidance and regulatory compliance.
A former judge advocate general with first-chair courtroom experience, Daniel Ridlon helps protect his clients from liability exposure and high-damage claims. Dan's clients include a range of technology innovators and manufacturers, including The Boeing Company, Google, Weyerhaeuser, and T-Mobile.
Dan has defended clients in all phases of litigation in courts throughout the United States and around the world, including in Asia, Europe, and Africa. He has represented manufacturers in litigation involving a range of products, from cell phones to commercial aircraft.
Understanding that litigation avoidance is of great value to his clients, Dan counsels on efficient ways they can minimize, eliminate, and prevent risks. He advises on product warnings that reduce risk exposure and provides comprehensive guidance on regulatory compliance related to his clients' products. He also presents workshops on product liability risk mitigation to employees of clients.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Harvard Law School, J.D., cum laude, Line Editor, Harvard International Law Journal, 2006
- Seattle University, B.A., Political Science; History, summa cum laude, 2003
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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California
Related Employment
- Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, Los Angeles, CA, Associate, 2010-2012
- U.S. Air Force, Judge Advocate General's Corps, 2006 - 2010; Legal Intern, 2005
- Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle, WA, Law Clerk, 2004
Insights
Professional Experience
Litigation
Learjet Crash
Represented an aviation manufacturer in a case arising out of the crash of a Learjet that killed several high-level officials of a foreign government. As part of the litigation team, he took the lead in drafting a summary judgment motion that resulted in the client being voluntarily dismissed from the case.
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.
Cell Phone Litigation
Currently representing a cell phone carrier in litigation in which plaintiffs claim that cell phones cause brain tumors.
Fortaner, et al. v. The Boeing Company, et al.
Represented Boeing and obtained a Ninth Circuit decision holding that lawsuits filed in the United States concerning the August 2008 crash of an airliner in Spain should be dismissed under the doctrine of forum non conveniens. 504 Fed. Appx. 573 (9th Cir. 2013).
Product Counseling
Video Game Regulatory Advice
Provided advice to a first-party video game developer on regulatory issues related to a game.
Product Warning Counsel
Advised a Fortune 100 technology company on product warnings for a consumer product.