John Kalas

Partner

The McPherson Building
901 15th Street, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C., 20005

T 617.217.4613

john.kalas@nelsonmullins.com

John is an experienced strategist who provides creative and aggressive representation in clients’ most complex cases. Recognized for his deep knowledge on scientific issues, his unique ability to “see around corners,” and his trial acumen, clients will often engage him early in litigation to ensure cases are both trial ready and are put in the best position to resolve prior to trial. His practice — both at trial and in discovery and motions practice — is focused on deconstructing the core scientific and liability themes of the opposition. To that end, he has taken and defended depositions of hundreds of expert and fact witnesses, participated in several multi-day Daubert, Frye, and Sargon hearings, and served as trial counsel in multiple cases in jurisdictions nationwide. He also has acted as national and worldwide coordinating counsel in multiple litigations involving personal injury allegations and has advised multiple clients on cross-border litigation and discovery strategy matters.

best position to resolve prior to trial. His practice — both at trial and in discovery and motions practice — is focused on deconstructing the core scientific and liability themes of the opposition. To that end, he has taken and defended depositions of hundreds of expert and fact witnesses, participated in several multi-day Daubert, Frye, and Sargon hearings, and served as trial counsel in multiple cases in jurisdictions nationwide. He also has acted as national and worldwide coordinating counsel in multiple litigations involving personal injury allegations and has advised multiple clients on cross-border litigation and discovery strategy matters.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

Served as a “go-to” trial counsel for a major chemical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged consumer and/or occupational exposures to multiple agricultural and industrial chemicals. Named trial counsel in state court cases in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Hawai’i, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. Prior to trial, successfully argued Daubert and Summary Judgment motions, limiting the client’s exposure and often placing cases in a favorable posture for pre-trial resolution.
Lead science counsel for major chemical manufacturer in decade-long mass tort involving a best-selling agricultural chemical. Developed dozens of experts for use in the litigation and conducted aggressive depositions of opposing experts. Testimony developed led to the exclusion — in whole or in part — of many of those opposing experts. In addition, served as science liaison counsel for multiple trial teams — successfully arguing motions regarding scientific issues and corporate conduct both before and during trial and working to develop cross-examination and direct-examination materials for trial counsel. Named science counsel in cases situated in the Northern District of California and state courts in Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida.
Lead science counsel for pre-trial workup involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to chemicals on behalf of major chemical manufacturer. Work-up led to dismissal of actions prior to trial.
Lead counsel in pre-litigation evaluation of potential claims involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to agricultural chemicals on behalf of a major chemical manufacturer.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer defending potential and actual claims for property damage and commercial damages involving the sale and use of agricultural chemical.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer in commercial litigation involving claims against formulator for damages related to manufacture of multiple lots of commercial product.
Lead science counsel for major medical device manufacturer in MDL defending claims involving alleged defects in FDA-approved medical device.
National coordinating counsel for pharmaceutical corporation regarding cancer claims allegedly associated with talcum products sold by legacy consumer health division.
Coordination counsel responsible for navigation of scientific defense in litigation spanning four continents. Worked hand in-hand with counsel in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Turkey, and Israel to align defense themes and develop experts to be used across jurisdictions. Worked to ensure counsel in countries outside of the United States had a baseline understanding of issues in the case and helped those counsel to develop defense themes to fit the challenges of their jurisdictions.
Worldwide coordination counsel for major food manufacturer in litigation and pre-litigation matters spanning multiple continents.
Provided product stewardship advice to multiple leading agricultural chemical manufacturers regarding interactions with regulatory and pseudo-regulatory agencies and contractual relationships with third parties.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving development of alleged oral and maxillofacial injuries related to use of bisphosphonate product. Contributed to a successful Daubert and trial strategy that led to a favorable resolution for the client of a long-running mass tort. Served on trial teams in New Jersey state court, the Eastern District of New York, the Middle District of North Carolina, and the Middle District of Florida.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged impurities present in leading heartburn medication and claims that those alleged impurities caused or contributed to the development of various cancers.
Advisory counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer on litigation and pre-litigation advice regarding best practices for preservation of materials under litigation hold or potential hold.
Lead science counsel for product stewardship matter involving alleged lead contamination of liquid consumable product.
Represented multinational corporation in litigation involving the alleged wrongful death of a sub-contractor working at industrial site in Israel. Successfully navigated choice-of-law and contractual issues spanning three continents, resulting in a favorable outcome for client.
Represented large U.S. defense contractor in the defense of groundwater contamination claims arising out of the manufacture of munitions in Oklahoma.

Previous Professional Experience

Partner, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2019–2023)
Associate, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2010–2018)

Internships

Summer Associate, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2009)
Legal Intern, General Electric Capital Solutions, London (2008)
Legislative Intern, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6) (2006)

Education

Georgetown University Law Center, JD (2010)
Elon University, BA (2007)

Admissions

Maryland
District of Columbia
New Jersey
U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Practice Areas

Industries

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

Served as a “go-to” trial counsel for a major chemical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged consumer and/or occupational exposures to multiple agricultural and industrial chemicals. Named trial counsel in state court cases in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Hawai’i, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. Prior to trial, successfully argued Daubert and Summary Judgment motions, limiting the client’s exposure and often placing cases in a favorable posture for pre-trial resolution.
Lead science counsel for major chemical manufacturer in decade-long mass tort involving a best-selling agricultural chemical. Developed dozens of experts for use in the litigation and conducted aggressive depositions of opposing experts. Testimony developed led to the exclusion — in whole or in part — of many of those opposing experts. In addition, served as science liaison counsel for multiple trial teams — successfully arguing motions regarding scientific issues and corporate conduct both before and during trial and working to develop cross-examination and direct-examination materials for trial counsel. Named science counsel in cases situated in the Northern District of California and state courts in Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida.
Lead science counsel for pre-trial workup involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to chemicals on behalf of major chemical manufacturer. Work-up led to dismissal of actions prior to trial.
Lead counsel in pre-litigation evaluation of potential claims involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to agricultural chemicals on behalf of a major chemical manufacturer.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer defending potential and actual claims for property damage and commercial damages involving the sale and use of agricultural chemical.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer in commercial litigation involving claims against formulator for damages related to manufacture of multiple lots of commercial product.
Lead science counsel for major medical device manufacturer in MDL defending claims involving alleged defects in FDA-approved medical device.
National coordinating counsel for pharmaceutical corporation regarding cancer claims allegedly associated with talcum products sold by legacy consumer health division.
Coordination counsel responsible for navigation of scientific defense in litigation spanning four continents. Worked hand in-hand with counsel in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Turkey, and Israel to align defense themes and develop experts to be used across jurisdictions. Worked to ensure counsel in countries outside of the United States had a baseline understanding of issues in the case and helped those counsel to develop defense themes to fit the challenges of their jurisdictions.
Worldwide coordination counsel for major food manufacturer in litigation and pre-litigation matters spanning multiple continents.
Provided product stewardship advice to multiple leading agricultural chemical manufacturers regarding interactions with regulatory and pseudo-regulatory agencies and contractual relationships with third parties.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving development of alleged oral and maxillofacial injuries related to use of bisphosphonate product. Contributed to a successful Daubert and trial strategy that led to a favorable resolution for the client of a long-running mass tort. Served on trial teams in New Jersey state court, the Eastern District of New York, the Middle District of North Carolina, and the Middle District of Florida.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged impurities present in leading heartburn medication and claims that those alleged impurities caused or contributed to the development of various cancers.
Advisory counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer on litigation and pre-litigation advice regarding best practices for preservation of materials under litigation hold or potential hold.
Lead science counsel for product stewardship matter involving alleged lead contamination of liquid consumable product.
Represented multinational corporation in litigation involving the alleged wrongful death of a sub-contractor working at industrial site in Israel. Successfully navigated choice-of-law and contractual issues spanning three continents, resulting in a favorable outcome for client.
Represented large U.S. defense contractor in the defense of groundwater contamination claims arising out of the manufacture of munitions in Oklahoma.

Previous Professional Experience

Partner, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2019–2023)
Associate, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2010–2018)

Internships

Summer Associate, Washington, D.C. based Law Firm (2009)
Legal Intern, General Electric Capital Solutions, London (2008)
Legislative Intern, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (MD-6) (2006)

Media

Visit Insights

Professional Activities

Member, Atlantic Legal Foundation Science Advisory Council (2019–2023)
Member, Defense Research Institute
Member, New England Legal Foundation
Member, Lawyers for Civil Justice
Member, Bement School Capital Campaign Steering Committee

Overview

John is an experienced strategist who provides creative and aggressive representation in clients’ most complex cases. Recognized for his deep knowledge on scientific issues, his unique ability to “see around corners,” and his trial acumen, clients will often engage him early in litigation to ensure cases are both trial ready and are put in the... best position to resolve prior to trial. His practice — both at trial and in discovery and motions practice — is focused on deconstructing the core scientific and liability themes of the opposition. To that end, he has taken and defended depositions of hundreds of expert and fact witnesses, participated in several multi-day Daubert, Frye, and Sargon hearings, and served as trial counsel in multiple cases in jurisdictions nationwide. He also has acted as national and worldwide coordinating counsel in multiple litigations involving personal injury allegations and has advised multiple clients on cross-border litigation and discovery strategy matters.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Representative Matters

Served as a “go-to” trial counsel for a major chemical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged consumer and/or occupational exposures to multiple agricultural and industrial chemicals. Named trial counsel in state court cases in New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Hawai’i, Georgia, Massachusetts, Illinois, and California. Prior to trial, successfully argued Daubert and Summary Judgment motions, limiting the client’s exposure and often placing cases in a favorable posture for pre-trial resolution.
Lead science counsel for major chemical manufacturer in decade-long mass tort involving a best-selling agricultural chemical. Developed dozens of experts for use in the litigation and conducted aggressive depositions of opposing experts. Testimony developed led to the exclusion — in whole or in part — of many of those opposing experts. In addition, served as science liaison counsel for multiple trial teams — successfully arguing motions regarding scientific issues and corporate conduct both before and during trial and working to develop cross-examination and direct-examination materials for trial counsel. Named science counsel in cases situated in the Northern District of California and state courts in Missouri, Arkansas, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Florida.
Lead science counsel for pre-trial workup involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to chemicals on behalf of major chemical manufacturer. Work-up led to dismissal of actions prior to trial.
Lead counsel in pre-litigation evaluation of potential claims involving allegations of birth and developmental defects following exposures to agricultural chemicals on behalf of a major chemical manufacturer.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer defending potential and actual claims for property damage and commercial damages involving the sale and use of agricultural chemical.
Lead counsel for major chemical manufacturer in commercial litigation involving claims against formulator for damages related to manufacture of multiple lots of commercial product.
Lead science counsel for major medical device manufacturer in MDL defending claims involving alleged defects in FDA-approved medical device.
National coordinating counsel for pharmaceutical corporation regarding cancer claims allegedly associated with talcum products sold by legacy consumer health division.
Coordination counsel responsible for navigation of scientific defense in litigation spanning four continents. Worked hand in-hand with counsel in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Turkey, and Israel to align defense themes and develop experts to be used across jurisdictions. Worked to ensure counsel in countries outside of the United States had a baseline understanding of issues in the case and helped those counsel to develop defense themes to fit the challenges of their jurisdictions.
Worldwide coordination counsel for major food manufacturer in litigation and pre-litigation matters spanning multiple continents.
Provided product stewardship advice to multiple leading agricultural chemical manufacturers regarding interactions with regulatory and pseudo-regulatory agencies and contractual relationships with third parties.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving development of alleged oral and maxillofacial injuries related to use of bisphosphonate product. Contributed to a successful Daubert and trial strategy that led to a favorable resolution for the client of a long-running mass tort. Served on trial teams in New Jersey state court, the Eastern District of New York, the Middle District of North Carolina, and the Middle District of Florida.
Counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in litigation involving alleged impurities present in leading heartburn medication and claims that those alleged impurities caused or contributed to the development of various cancers.
Advisory counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer on litigation and pre-litigation advice regarding best practices for preservation of materials under litigation hold or potential hold.
Lead science counsel for product stewardship matter involving alleged lead contamination of liquid consumable product.
Represented multinational corporation in litigation involving the alleged wrongful death of a sub-contractor working at industrial site in Israel. Successfully navigated choice-of-law and contractual issues spanning three continents, resulting in a favorable outcome for client.
Represented large U.S. defense contractor in the defense of groundwater contamination claims arising out of the manufacture of munitions in Oklahoma.