Alan M. Maxwell

Al Maxwell is recognized as a leading attorney in the foodborne illness defense area and leads the firm's nationally-recognized Foodborne Illness Practice Group. He is routinely retained to assist clients in foodborne outbreaks, including defending personal injury claims, analyzing coverage positions, counseling on regulatory compliance, and assisting with risk-sharing analysis. Al was appointed as the Special Master in the Jensen Farms and Peanut Corporation of America outbreaks and was responsible for valuing all cases submitted to the bankruptcy proceedings in both cases, a further testament to his reputation among his peers.

With extensive experience as lead trial attorney in complex cases, Al is called upon to litigate cases throughout the country. He has handled cases  in every state in the continental U.S. involving a variety of matters. His clients represent a broad range of industries and entrust him with high-exposure cases involving product liability, construction, transportation and premises liability, among others.

Al is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has consistently been recognized by authoritative legal publications such as Super Lawyers®  and The Best Lawyers in America®. 

• Deli meat manufacture tied to Listeria outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Subcontractor allegedly causing Arkansas refinery explosion.
• Smoothie franchisor in a Hepatitis A outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Numerous ground beef suppliers allegedly linked to severe E.coli cases.
• Retail franchise allegedly associated with a Salmonella outbreak.
• Cantaloupe grower Listeria outbreak.
• Cookie dough manufacturer E. coli O157:H7 national outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Midwest beef processor E. coli national outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Hot dog chili manufacturer Botulism outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Peanut butter manufacturer in national Salmonella outbreak with hundreds of claimants. Coordinating counsel.
• California-based spinach processor associated with an E. coli O157:H7 spinach outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• California lettuce producer involved in the 2006 Taco Bell E. coli O157:H7 outbreak. National coordinating counsel.
• Producer of peanut butter Salmonella outbreak associated with peanut products.  Excess monitoring counsel.
• Wisconsin-based meat processor accused of causing multi-state E. coli 0157:H7 outbreak that produced more than 500 claims.
• Defended Atlanta area water theme park alleged to be the source of an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak in the Southeast.
• Represented polyurethane manufacturer in suit brought by City of Houston, Texas, in which polyurethane liners they designed and installed throughout municipal sewer system were allegedly defective, resulting in accelerated corrosion and damages over $50 million.
• Obtained defense verdict in premises liability negligence claim against shopping center security company in Kansas City following a shooting on property. Appeared in case three weeks before trial with plaintiffs' demand at $40 million.

The Best Lawyers® in America,  Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions: Defendant, 2021-2025

Super Lawyers®, Georgia Super Lawyers List, Personal Injury: Products, 2008-2013

Super Lawyers®, Georgia Rising Stars List, Personal Injury: Products, 2005-2006

Missouri Lawyers Weekly, Trial victory named among “Defense Verdicts of 2006” 

Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow