Profile
Gretchen N. Miller is the Co-Chair of the Products Liability & Mass Torts Practice and focuses her practice in toxic tort, product liability, and class action litigation in state and federal courts. She is a trial lawyer with experience, both as first and second chair trial counsel, defending manufacturers against claims of product defect for industrial, automotive, and medical products on a national basis. As national counsel, Gretchen oversees products liability, toxic tort, and commercial litigation nationwide and counsels clients on risk management strategies. She also has wide-ranging experience litigating complex and mass tort litigation, both in the products liability and toxic tort context.
In addition to her litigation practice, Gretchen counsels manufacturers, distributors and retailers regarding product safety issues and regulatory compliance. Her practice includes counseling clients on compliance with federal and state regulations, including regulations enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and providing guidance with recalls and recall procedures.
Concentrations
- Consumer product safety
- Commercial litigation
- Products liability
- Class actions
- Toxic torts
Capabilities
Recognition & Leadership
- Recipient, Defense Research Institute, "Davis Carr Outstanding Committee Chair Award,” 2023
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Illinois Super Lawyers, 2016-2018, 2020-2024
- Listed, Who’s Who Legal, “Product Liability Defence,” 2023-2024
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, 2013-2014 and 2020-2024
- Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Toxic Tort, 2022 and 2023
- Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Consumer Products (Including Tobacco), 2021 and 2023-2024
- Shortlisted, Euromoney, "Women in Business Awards - Best in Product Liability," 2022
- Listed, Crain’s Chicago Business, “Notable Women in Law,” 2022
- Listed, Leading Lawyers Network, 2019-2024
- Team Member, a Law360 “Environmental Practice Group of the Year,” 2022
- Team Member, a Law360"Product Liability Practice Group of the Year," 2011, 2021-2022
- Team Member, S. News - Best Lawyers’ “Best Law Firms” Tier 1 Ranking, “Mass Torts/ Class Actions – Defendants,” 2021
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2019-2021
- Listed, Acritas Stars™ Independently Rated Lawyers, “Star Lawyers,” 2016-2021
- Recipient, Marquis Who's Who, "Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award," 2018
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Litigation Department of the Year,” 2018
- Team Member, S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Environmental Law, 2016
- Member, Chicago Advisory Board, Good Sports
- Member, Personal Care Products Council (PCPC)
- Fellow, American Bar Foundation
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Products Liability Committee
- Chair, 2020-2022
- Vice Chair, 2019-2020
- Faculty, DRI Deposition Institute, 2015-2017
- Products Liability Committee
- Member, International Association of Defense Counsel
- Member, International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO)
- Member, American Apparel and Footwear Association, Product Safety Council
- American Bar Association
- Section of Litigation
- Products Liability Committee
- State Bar of Arizona
- Arizona Trial College, 1998
- Arizona Association of Defense Counsel
- President, Young Lawyers' Division, 1998-1999
- Vice President, Young Lawyers' Division, 1996-1998
Credentials
-
J.D., The George Washington University Law School
- Articles Editor, The Environmental Lawyer
- B.A., Political Science, University of Arizona
- Illinois
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
- Trial Bar, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Supreme Court of Illinois