John Kuppens is a partner in Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP’s Columbia office. He has experience in product liability counseling and litigation, pharmaceutical and medical device, toxic tort, premises liability, business litigation, and state procurement matters. 

Experience

• Experience counseling clients regarding product literature, warnings, and regulatory compliance, including counseling regarding products governed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
• Experience in product liability litigation, including accident reconstruction, metallurgy, design, biomechanics, manufacturing processes, and warnings
• Defended product liability cases involving a wide range of products, including boilers, lawn and garden products, building products, food products, medical devices, electrical and gas-fired appliances, aerial lifts, and textile machinery

Awards & Honors

• Recognized in The Legal 500 United States for his practice in product liability and mass tort defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices (2013)
• South Carolina Super Lawyers (2008 - 2013)
• The Best Lawyers in America® - Commercial Litigation (2008 - 2013)
• The Best Lawyers in America® 2013 Columbia-SC Product Liability Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year"
• Guide to the World’s Leading Product Liability Lawyers (2008 - 2012)

Leadership Positions

• National Director, DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar
  • Past Chair, Product Liability Committee
  • Past Chair, Agricultural, Construction, Mining and Industrial Equipment Subcommittee
  • Past Chair, Young Lawyers Committee
• Board of Directors, South Carolina Defense Trial Attorneys’ Association
• Member, Legal Task Force, Sports & Fitness Industry Association
• Member, International Consumer Product Health & Safety Organization
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Faculty Member, Trial Academy (2007)