Callas
CHARLESTON -– Jackson Kelly Assistant Managing Member Gretchen Callas has been asked to join the Product Liability Advisory Council, Inc. (PLAC) as a sustaining member.
She is one of only two West Virginia lawyers with membership status in this national group of product liability defense attorneys. Members are selected and approved after an application process which, in addition to experience in product liability defense, requires the sponsorship of two corporate PLAC members.
Jackson Kelly CEO Mike Foster said, "Gretchen is a talented trial lawyer and her membership in PLAC is very well deserved. This is one more example of a Jackson Kelly attorney receiving client recognition in their area of practice."
Callas' practice has focused on defending product manufacturers in the aviation, pharmaceutical and heavy equipment industries. In addition to her product liability practice, Callas' jury trial work has involved the defense of claims arising from workplace accidents.
Callas continues a long tradition of Jackson Kelly lawyers who have served as PLAC members, including Denny Sauter and the late Winfield ("Teke") Shaffer.
PLAC is a non-profit association with over 100 corporate members representing a broad cross-section of American and international product manufacturers. These companies seek to contribute to the improvement and reform of law in the United States and elsewhere, with emphasis on the law governing the liability of manufacturers of products. PLAC's perspective is derived from the experiences of a corporate membership that spans a diverse group of industries in various facets of the manufacturing sector.
In addition, several hundred of the leading product liability defense attorneys in the country are sustaining (non-voting) members of PLAC. Since 1983 PLAC has filed over 850 briefs as amicus curiae in both state and federal courts presenting the broad perspective of product manufacturers seeking fairness and balance in the application and development of the law as it affects product liability.
Jackson Kelly represents global corporations, national companies, entrepreneurs and individuals in areas of law such as environmental, business, labor and employment, federal and state workers' compensation, civil litigation and occupational safety and health. The firm has offices in West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Colorado and the District of Columbia.