Stuart J.Purdy is a shareholder with Simon Greenstone Panatier, PC. Stuart is an experienced trial lawyer who has represented clients in product liability and toxic tort actions. He serves as one of the lead trial lawyers for the firm and has been instrumental in obtaining significant verdicts and settlements over his many years at the firm. He also has litigation experience in medical malpractice actions. Stuart graduated from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles. Prior to law school, he attended Colorado State University where he obtained a degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance and graduated magna cum laude.
Stuart has served as trial counsel on numerous cases in both state and federal court. He has also been recognized on the Southern California Super Lawyers listing by Thomson Reuters in 2016-2018. Stuart was also featured on the California Rising Stars listing from 2013-2015 by Thomson Reuters, which is awarded to the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 in Southern California. He is also an invited member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 under 40. One of Stuart's significant verdicts in a product liability case was recognized as one of the top 10 "most meaningful verdicts" in the Daily Journal in California and as a top 100 verdict in The New York Law Journal's Top 100 Verdicts.
PRACTICE AREAS
Toxic Torts
Mesothelioma/Asbestos
Products Liability
EDUCATION
Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, CA, 2005, J.D.
Colorado State University, 2001, B.S. in B.A. Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Major: Business with an emphasis in Finance
COURT ADMISSIONS
State Bar of California (2005)
USDC, Central District of California (2008)
USDC, Northern District of California (2014)
USDC, Southern District of California (2014)
REPRESENTATIVE CASES
Philip John Depoian and Julie Pastor Depoian vs. American International Industries, et al., Los Angeles Superior Court, No. BC607192.
Practice Area: Mesothelioma/Asbestos
Date: October 16, 2016
Outcome: Significant verdict for Plaintiffs
Description: Mr. Depoian, a longtime aide to Mayor Tom Bradley and a prominent political figure in his own right for more than three decades, was diagnosed in May 2015 with mesothelioma. Mr. Depoian was exposed to asbestos in talc products at a barber shop where his father worked and through his use of products including Old Spice, Clubman, Kings Men and Mennen Shave Talc. Asbestos and talc are natural silicate minerals often mined in the same deposits, but asbestos can cause cancer and should not contaminate talc products. Defendant Whittaker Clark & Daniels was the largest talc supplier in the country and was certifying that the talc it was supplying contained no asbestos.
Phillips v. Honeywell, Fresno County Superior Court, No. 12CECG04055
Practice Area: Mesothelioma/Asbestos
Date: May 28, 2014
Outcome: Significant verdict for Plaintiffs
Description: James Phillips worked with cars his entire life. He was exposed to asbestos when installing, removing, and replacing brakes while employed in Mariposa, CA at various garages and on his personal vehicles over the course of many years. He also worked for many years as a plumber. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma in February 2012 and passed away one year later on February 17, 2013. The jury found Honeywell (Bendix brakes) to be one of the companies responsible for Mr. Phillips' death. In addition, the jury found that Honeywell (Bendix) had displayed a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of others and made a punitive finding to punish and deter Honeywell. Michael Sutherland and Suszi Sutherland v. Highland Stucco and Lime Products
Inc., et al., Los Angeles Superior Court No. BC486980
Practice Area: Mesothelioma/Asbestos
Date: March 19, 2013
Outcome: Significant verdict for Plaintiffs
Description: Plaintiff Michael Sutherland worked as a drywaller for several companies throughout Southern California in the late 1960's and 1970's. In April 2012, Sutherland, then 61, was diagnosed with malignant pleural mesothelioma as a result of his exposure to asbestos. Sutherland claimed that he was exposed to asbestos from products he worked with and around as a drywaller, including stucco, joint compound, roofing cement, and piping.
HONORS AND DISTINCTIONS
Southern California Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters (2016 - 2018)
National Trial Lawyers, Top 40 under 40 (2015 - present)
Southern California Rising Stars by Thomson Reuters (2013 - 2015)
Top 10 "Meaningful Verdicts" in California Award (2013)
Top 100 Verdicts, New York Law Journal (2013)
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Association for Justice, Member
Consumer Attorneys of Los Angeles, Member
American Bar Association, Member
