Douglass A. Kreis, a partner with the firm, received his B.A. degree from Mercer University, attending under a four-year academic/athletic scholarship, and his Juris Doctorate from Cumberland School of Law. While in law school, Mr. Kreis earned the distinction as Cumberland’s 1997 National Environmental/Toxic Tort Law Conference Representative (Washington, D.C.). After gaining significant trial advocacy experience through Cumberland’s Trial Advocacy Program/Moot Court Competitions, Mr. Kreis accepted a prestigious internship with future Alabama Supreme Court Justice, Michael Bolin.
Over the past twenty years, Mr. Kreis has dedicated himself towards seeking justice for clients injured by defective pharmaceutical drugs and medical devices – successfully representing thousands of clients in litigation throughout the country. Mr. Kreis has successfully pursued claims against major manufacturers including: Wyeth/Pfizer; Bayer; Smith & Nephew, Zimmer, Biomet, Stryker Orthopedics/Howmedica, Wright Medical Mentor; Johnson & Johnson/Ethicon; American Medical Systems; Bard; Covidien; Coloplast; Atrium/Getinge; and others.
Along the way, Mr. Kreis has become one of the most knowledgeable attorneys in the country regarding the interplay between law and science. Mr. Kreis has gained the respect of his colleagues and has been asked to speak at many mass tort seminars and symposiums throughout the country during which he addresses science and law in the context of epidemiology; the potential modes of failure (general and specific causation); and the pathology, histology and presentation of related injuries.
Mr. Kreis recently put his specialized skillset to work in taking the lead role in identifying and retaining the world’s preeminent experts in acoustics, audiology, military hearing conservation and Military Safety to support U.S. Service Members and Veterans in what is the largest litigation in history. These cases are pending against Minneapolis based 3M relating to a defective earplug (Combat Arms Version 2) which lead to hearing damage, including: hearing loss; tinnitus; hyperacusis and exacerbation of PTSD.
Mr. Kreis has held leadership and committee positions on national litigations, including: Lead Counsel (IN RE MENTOR CORP. OBTAPE TRANSOBTURATOR SLING PRODUCTS LIABILITY LITIGATION MDL (MDL 2004); Executive Committee (In re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABG II Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2441); Steering Committee (In Re: Biomet M2A Magnum Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL Docket 2391); and Expert Committee (In Re: Combat Arms Earplug Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2885).
