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Michael E. Hutchins


On March 3, 2009, the jury returned a complete defense verdict in favor of KBT&F client CNA Holdings, Inc. ("Celanese") in the Virginia wrongful death action, Lewis v. Alfa Laval, et al.  Plaintiff claimed that the decedent, a pipe design specialist for an engineering services firm, contracted mesothelioma from alleged asbestos exposure while working at former Celanese plants during the 1970s and early 1980s.  Celanese's defense focused on the effectiveness of the company's asbestos safety program at its facilities during the years in question, and on the decendent's admitted prior exposure to asbestos at other companies.  This defense verdict continues an extraordinary series of successful trial outcomes for KBT&F on behalf of Celanese in asbestos cases.  KBT&F partner Mike Hutchins, who serves as Celanese's national counsel for asbestos matters, was lead trial counsel for the company in the Lewis case.