Brian R. Ade

New Jersey

Rivkin Radler LLP
25 Main Street, Court Plaza North
Hackensack, NJ 07601-7021
United States

Tel: (201) 287-2461

Email: brian.ade@rivkin.com
Web: www.rivkinradler.com

Brian R. Ade dedicates a substantial portion of his legal practice to cases involving products liability. Brian’s clients include manufacturers and distributors of diverse medical, consumer, commercial, and industrial products. With the proliferation of construction defect litigation in New Jersey and New York, many of his recent assignments involve defense of products used in construction.

He is the preeminent New Jersey lawyer in roof law litigation, having represented one of the largest roofing materials manufacturers since the early 1980s.

Taking advantage of the New Jersey Products Liability Act, Brian has developed strategies for forcing early dismissal of questionable claims, and which often lead to successful motions for summary judgment. In the last several years, Brian has had a remarkable run of success implementing those strategies in a number of products cases. One of those cases, a bad burn matter, settled in mediation for a favorable amount. Nine other cases were voluntarily dismissed without the need for motion practice. One of those cases started in the Supreme Court of New York, in which venue plaintiffs are not required to produce expert reports in discovery. Recognizing immediately that expert opinion was the crux of the case, Brian removed the case to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, where expert discovery was available. Brian aggressively challenged the plaintiffs’ theories of liability and the opinions of their experts. The plaintiffs in that product liability, toxic tort case took a voluntary dismissal at the conclusion of the deposition of Brian’s client.

Brian’s interest in products liability litigation started even before he finished law school. He researched and drafted several briefs in products cases during his summer clerkships with a highly regarded defense law firm in Bergen County, NJ. He worked on two cases that eventually made it to the Supreme Court of New Jersey. That interest led to him taking courses devoted to advanced torts and products liability, including an independent study course focusing exclusively on New Jersey product liability law. He has continued to stay current on developments through continuing legal education seminars and courses, and through writing his own briefs.

Brian is an active member of the Insurance Law Committee of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Product Liability Committee of the Bergen County Bar Association, and the American Bar Association’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section (TIPS). Brian has been named to Best Lawyers in America® for Insurance Law from 2006 to 2024 and for Commercial Litigation and Litigation-Environmental from 2021 to 2024. He also was named a New Jersey Super Lawyer multiple times.

Attorneys in Rivkin Radler’s Complex Torts & Products Liability Practice Group recognize that products liability and toxic tort lawsuits are unlike other types of tort litigation confronting corporate America today. A single finding that a product is defective or toxic can have devastating consequences to both a company’s fiscal health and its reputation. That’s why leading manufacturers and distributors trust their product liability and toxic tort cases to Rivkin Radler.

For more than a half century, our attorneys have defended the interests of chemical manufacturers, companies involved in asbestos claims, as well as medical device, pharmaceutical, industrial, commercial and consumer product manufacturers. We work closely with each client to formulate and execute a solid, informed defense strategy for the product or substance at issue, whether in the context of a single plaintiff case or a mass tort setting involving class action or multi-district litigation proceedings.

Combining our extensive knowledge of product liability law and early inquiry into the unique science and engineering issues that underlie such claims, we help to protect the corporate brand while obtaining the best resolution possible for each claim—be it through motion practice, settlement or trial.

Established in 1950, Rivkin Radler has offices in Albany, NY; Hackensack, NJ; Jacksonville, FL; New York City; Poughkeepsie, NY; and Uniondale, NY. The firm, which employs approximately 235 attorneys across 23 practice groups, is nationally recognized and was named an American Lawyer Media “Go-To” Firm by its clients. The firm is recognized by the Legal 500, Chambers USA and Best Law Firms®.

Rivkin Radler has helped clients of all sizes in many industries find solutions to their problems, whether those problems are inside the courthouse or the boardroom. The firm’s attorneys are committed to best practices, which go beyond professional and ethical standards. The work product is clear and delivered on time. As a result, clients proceed with confidence.

The firm provides strong representation and builds even stronger client relationships. Many clients have been placing their trust in Rivkin Radler for more than 35 years. Our unwavering commitment to total client satisfaction is the driving force behind our firm.