Biography: Product Liability Defence

Stuart Clark has been intimately involved in the development of Australia's product liability law since 1989. His expertise in the defence of class action and mass tort litigation, particularly that involving complex scientific and medical issues, is internationally recognised. More recently Stuart has been advising corporations and financial institutions in relation to regulatory investigations and inquiries, including a number instituted under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. He also provides crisis management advice to a number of corporations and government agencies.

The Clayton Utz product liability team is the preeminent product liability practice in Australia. It has led the defence of most of the significant product liability actions in Australia for more than two decades. During that time they have successfully defended claims brought against a diverse range of products including IUDs - the Gravigard (Copper 7) litigation, weight loss drugs - the Fen-Phen litigation and Sydney's drinking water - the Sydney Water Royal Commission and subsequent personal injury class actions. Most recently the team successfully defended the Australian Vioxx class action litigation.

Stuart is a member of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) (board member 2002-2004), the American Bar Association (ABA) and the International Bar Association. He is co-chair of the ABA's international class actions committee.

He speaks and publishes extensively, both in Australia and overseas, in relation to class actions and product liability issues. In 2010 he was appointed an adjunct professor by Macquarie University Law School.

Stuart is currently the firm's chief operating officer and managing partner, international. He also serves as a director of the Law Council of Australia – the peak national representative body of the Australian legal profession.

Other Practice Areas

Stuart Clark also features in the following practice areas:

• Commercial Litigation