Laura Jastrem Walther is a counsel based in the Washington, D.C. office of Crowell & Moring. She practices in the Torts and Product Risk Management groups with particular focus on consumer product litigation and regulatory counseling. She has experience with class actions and has represented clients in connection with a wide array of products including children's products, fire safety products, plumbing parts and other building materials, automotive products and aviation products.
Torts
Laura's practice includes all aspects of torts litigation, with a concentration in product liability and toxic tort cases. She defends sellers, manufacturers and raw material suppliers in a diverse range of statewide and nationwide individual and class action cases. Laura is currently also part of a team defending four lawsuits in which more than 350 plaintiffs are are alleging personal injury, diminished property value, emotional distress, and entitlement to medical monitoring as a result of occupational and environmental exposure to chlorinated solvents and beryllium.
Prior to joining Crowell & Moring, Laura was a member of a trial team serving as national counsel for a pharmaceutical manufacturer in over 300 product liability cases pending in numerous state and federal courts across the country. She has also successfully argued motions in New York state courts and in a pro bono criminal appeal before the New York Appellate Division, Second Department.
Product Risk Management
Laura advises clients on the full range of consumer protection issues with particular focus on consumer product regulatory compliance. Laura works with clients to identify and analyze potential legal risks associated with new ventures or new products. She then helps them establish legal risk management protocols such as recall policies and early warning detection systems as well as other risk mitigation tools. When consumer product issues do arise, Laura represents clients before the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Health Canada, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other product-related agencies assisting clients with agency notification and corrective action plan negotiations when necessary.
Laura also worked closely with clients on issues related to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (CPSIA). Laura advises clients on compliance with the Act generally and has specific experience with the lead provisions, application of the law to children's products, product compliance certification, and preemption of state laws.
Some of the products on which Laura has advised in her Product Risk Management practice include:
· strollers
· children's jewelry
· child safety seats
· children's play pens
· fire extinguishers
· propane torches
· hair products
· hammocks
· dietary supplements
· automobile component parts
· motor oil
· airplane and helicopter component parts
· dry wall
· shower glass
· flame resistant mattress fabric
· hand dryers
· refrigerator and freezer products
· office supplies
Affiliations
Associations: Consumer Products Subcommittee Co-Chair; Product Liability Committee Member, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation; Dartmouth Lawyers Association; Young Lawyers Committee Member, New York City Bar Association (2005-2007)
Publications
· "Preparing for the Canadian Consumer Product Safety Act," Industry Week (June 13, 2011). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun and Laura J. Walther.
· "Complying With Tougher Lead Bans for Children's Products," Bloomberg's Health Law Report (January 2009). Co-Authors: Bridget E. Calhoun and Laura J. Walther.
· "Asbestos: By Any Other Name, Is It Still?," BNA's Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, Vol. 38, No. 22 (May 2008). Co-Authors: Robert E. Glenn and Laura Jastrem Walther.
· "Failure to Warn and the Knowledgeable User," International Law Office (February 2005). Co-Author: Laura J. Walther.
Alerts & Newsletters
· "Daiso Agrees to $2.05 Million Civil Penalty In Connection With CPSC's Allegations That It Imported, Distributed and Sold Toys With Illegal Lead Content," Product Risk Management Alert (March 4, 2010). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther.
· "Highlights from ICPHSO 2010," Product Risk Management Alert (February 19, 2010). Contacts: Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley, Bridget E. Calhoun.
· "Crowell & Moring Attorneys Attend International Consumer Products Symposium,"Product Risk Management Alert (March 6, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley.
· "Complying with the CPSIA Phthalates Requirements: CPSC Seeks Public Input on Draft Guidance Document," Product Risk Management Alert (February 13, 2009). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther.
· "Complying with the CPSIA Lead Limits: Guidance from the CPSC Staff," Product Risk Management Alert (November 12, 2008). Contacts: Bridget E. Calhoun, Laura Jastrem Walther, Natalia R. Medley.
Speaking Engagements
· "Global Consumer Product Safety: Strategic Issues in Compliance, Reporting and Negotiating with Multiple Product Safety Regimes," Crowell & Moring Product Risk Management Seminar (October 19, 2011). Moderator: Bridget Calhoun. Panelists: Marc Schoem (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission); Sean Beckstrom (Graco Children's Products); Laurent Ruessmann; Laura Walther.
· "Canada's New Consumer Product Safety Act: Strategies for Compliance & Reporting," International Product Safety & Liability Prevention Association (IPSLP), 4th Annual Product Safety & Liability Conference, Washington, D.C. (October 2011). Speaker: Laura J. Walther.
· "Reporting, Tracking & Labeling: CPSIA Compliance and Practical Application in the Chain of Production," American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Inaugural Consumer Products Regional CLE Workshop, Washington, D.C. (September 2009). Moderator: Laura J. Walther.