Frederick J. Ufkes
Frederick J. Ufkes
Partner
He/Him
"The courtroom is where I'm most effective as an advocate for my clients. I'm confident handling any case, anywhere, and what drives me most is serving my clients' best interests both professionally and personally."
Frederick J. Ufkes
Partner
He/Him
"The courtroom is where I'm most effective as an advocate for my clients. I'm confident handling any case, anywhere, and what drives me most is serving my clients' best interests both professionally and personally."
About Fred
A seasoned trial attorney with over 40 years of experience in complex litigation, Fred handles civil cases from start to judgment. He has tried to verdict more than 100 personal injury claims, a class action wage and hour case, and numerous corporate and alter ego claims. His litigation experience includes medical devices, prescription pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter products, environmental disputes, toxic torts, mass torts, product liability defense, and construction matters.
Leveraging his national and regional counsel experience, Fred defends manufacturers of chemicals, solvents, asbestos, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, electronics, computer software and hardware, heavy machinery, construction equipment, and consumer products. He represents design professionals, owners, developers, and contractors in construction-related disputes. He also defends businesses nationwide in other commercial and employment matters.
Areas of Focus
Experience
- Secured a complete defense verdict for Sika Corporation in a three-week product liability trial. The plaintiffs had sought more than $60 million in damages for alleged chemical exposure. The jury returned with a finding of no defect and no liability for Sika.
- Served as the leading trial counsel or primary trial counsel for a number of Fortune 500 companies throughout California. Many of these cases were brought by plaintiffs claiming exposure to industrial solvents, degreasers, paints, adhesives, epoxies, and asbestos-related litigation.
- Successfully defended medical device manufacturers against claims for defective implants, artificial joints, and surgical instruments.
- Tried cases involving a broad spectrum of consumer products, and litigated cases involving issues affecting product liability, market share liability, limitations on punitive damages, causation standards under federal and state law, and federal preemption.
- Defended the world's largest surfboard blank manufacturer against claims by former employees of cancer allegedly due to chemical exposure during manufacturing.
Recognition
- Martin-Hubbell, AV® Peer Review Rating
- Southern California Super Lawyers, 2010 – 2011
Credentials
Education
- Washington University School of Law, JD, 1982
- University of California – San Diego, BA, 1979
Bar Admissions
- California
Court Admissions
- US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- US District Court for the Central District of California
- US District Court for the Eastern District of California
- US District Court for the Northern District of California
- US District Court for the Southern District of California
Thought Leadership
Presentations
Fred presents on topics such as complex case management strategies and litigation skills, toxic tort, and environmental matters.
Publications
Fred publishes articles in a variety of areas of law, including the federal preemption of Proposition 65 claims.
- "The Inherent Risks In Purchasing Assets of a Predecessor," Law360, October 24, 2013
- "Supreme Court Clarifies Role of Trial Judge in Determining Admissibility of Expert Testimony," California Bar Journal, January 2013
- Co-Author, "Avoiding a Quagmire: Environmental and Product Liability Issues," The M&A Journal, April 2007
- "Bates v. Dow: Are Pesticides Now Subject to Regulation under Prop. 65," Prop. 65 Clearinghouse, September 15, 2005
- "Message in ‘Lockheed’: Judges Must Control Medical Testimony," Los Angeles Daily Journal, February 14, 2005
Hinshaw Alerts
In The News
Press Release
Interests
Did you know...
Fred spends as much time with his family as possible, especially when it involves hiking and camping. An avid outdoorsman, he also loves skiing, golfing, hunting, and fishing. He also has a deep appreciation of opera and has attended performances across the United States and Europe.
Community/Civic Activities
- St. Matthews Episcopal Church, Pacific Palisades, California, Lector
- University of California at San Diego, Alumni Association, Board of Directors
Thought Leadership
Presentations
Fred presents on topics such as complex case management strategies and litigation skills, toxic tort, and environmental matters.
Publications
Fred publishes articles in a variety of areas of law, including the federal preemption of Proposition 65 claims.
- "The Inherent Risks In Purchasing Assets of a Predecessor," Law360, October 24, 2013
- "Supreme Court Clarifies Role of Trial Judge in Determining Admissibility of Expert Testimony," California Bar Journal, January 2013
- Co-Author, "Avoiding a Quagmire: Environmental and Product Liability Issues," The M&A Journal, April 2007
- "Bates v. Dow: Are Pesticides Now Subject to Regulation under Prop. 65," Prop. 65 Clearinghouse, September 15, 2005
- "Message in ‘Lockheed’: Judges Must Control Medical Testimony," Los Angeles Daily Journal, February 14, 2005
Hinshaw Alerts
In The News
Press Release
Fred's Insights
Press Release
Sep 19, 2023
Trial Spotlight: Hinshaw Secures Complete Defense Verdict in $65 Million Product Liability Claim
Press Release
Sep 19, 2023
Trial Spotlight: Hinshaw Secures Complete Defense Verdict in $65 Million Product Liability Claim
Hinshaw Alert
Dec 12, 2012
California Supreme Court Adopts Daubert Gatekeeper Role for Trial Courts
Hinshaw Alert
Jul 9, 2010
California Proposes Green Chemistry Regulations for Public Comment
