NEWARK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Veteran litigators Michael A. Tanenbaum, James H. Keale and Thomas D. Robertson today announced the formation of litigation boutique Tanenbaum Keale LLP. They will be joined by their partners Chris Keale, Dennis Vega and Tiffany Alexander. The litigators are leaving Sedgwick LLP along with 11 other lawyers plus additional staff, to launch the new firm, effective February 1.

Tanenbaum Keale will focus on pharmaceutical, medical device and environmental mass tort litigation, and the defense of product liability and catastrophic injury cases for its clients nationally, with a particular focus in the New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania region.

Tanenbaum Keale’s lawyers have served and continue to serve as lead and regional counsel for many national and global corporations in matters ranging from product liability and catastrophic injury to environmental and toxic tort litigation. The new firm will focus on serving clients in industries including: pharmaceuticals and medical devices; energy and power generation; automotive, construction and mining equipment; transportation; and consumer products. The team has defended against large national class actions and has tried numerous cases to verdict in multiple states. Their clients include leading major corporations such as Boston Scientific, AMEC Foster Wheeler, H.B. Fuller, GE, CBS, Caterpillar and Coach USA, which have engaged them as national coordinating counsel, resolution counsel and trial counsel in large-scale litigations.

“Jim, Tom and I have practiced together for more than 25 years in large law firms and we wanted to do something that allows us to indulge our entrepreneurial spirits,” Tanenbaum said. “The market has changed and instead of seeking a larger platform, we wanted a smaller, more personal, platform that will enable us to adapt to those changes and react nimbly and quickly to client needs.”

Tanenbaum joined Sedgwick in 2001 and served as firm chair from 2007 to 2015. Keale and Robertson joined Sedgwick in 2004. Keale most recently served as chair of Sedgwick’s Complex Litigation Division and was a member of the firm’s executive committee. Robertson served as managing partner of Sedgwick’s Newark, N.J. office. The three first practiced law together at McCarter & English.

“We truly enjoy working together, and we look forward to providing outstanding legal counsel to our firm’s clients while fostering a collegial and collaborative atmosphere,” Keale said.

“Collaboration, teamwork and family will serve as the foundation for the culture of the new firm we have created,” said Robertson, Tanenbaum Keale’s managing partner. “We are thrilled to have so many lawyers and staff join us on this new adventure – it is an honor to continue to practice with them.”

About Tanenbaum Keale LLP

Founded by three veteran trial lawyers, Tanenbaum Keale LLP is a litigation boutique representing leading national and global corporations in environmental, pharmaceutical, medical device and product mass tort litigation, as well as product liability and catastrophic injury cases. Together with its litigation technology subsidiary Xerdict LLC, Tanenbaum Keale will have offices in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.