Johnson & Bell Shareholder Kevin G. Owens spoke at the 2017 Product Liability and Complex Torts Practice Group Seminar taking place from October 4-6, 2017 at the Bacara Resort and Spa in Santa Barbara, California. Mr. Owens moderated the panel “I Hear You Knocking But You Can’t Come In!” The presentation provided companies with the crisis response tools necessary to be prepared when catastrophe hits and media attention heightens.
The seminar was sponsored by ALFA International, a premier network of independent law firms.
The panelists spoke on the main elements of a crisis communication plan, including management of internal communications relative to possible crises, designation of company spokespeople, retention of media professionals and their interaction with the company’s defense counsel, effective strategies for dealing with media inquiries as well as other issues relevant to increased media attention.
Mr. Owens is the co-chair of Johnson & Bell’s Product Liability practice group. His civil litigation practice includes the defense and trial of catastrophic injury, consumer and other product liability actions, construction and general negligence actions, and the litigation of commercial disputes in state and federal courts. His experience also includes litigation of construction product defect actions, and litigation of contract actions at law and equity.
Johnson & Bell, Ltd. is the exclusive Chicago and northern Illinois member of ALFA International, a premier network of independent law firms. Founded in 1980, ALFA International was the first and continues to be one of the largest and strongest legal networks, with some 150 member firms around the world. The 80 U.S. firms maintain offices in 95 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas. Its 70 international firms are located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, Canada, Mexico and South America.
