Mr. Heck represents major chemical companies in sophisticated commercial litigation, including disputes over the purchase and sale of businesses.
Mr. Heck has more than 25 years of experience in mass disasters and toxic tort litigation, including cases involving asbestos, Agent Orange, silicone breast implants and Bhopal. In addition, he is experienced in related insurance coverage litigation, and in the operation of joint defense and judgment sharing groups.
Mr. Heck's practice also involves trust and estate litigation, including will contests.
Representative Experience
In re Will of Howard Wallace, Surrogate's Court, State of New York, County of New York, File No. 2709/2006Achieved a significant monetary settlement for five clients, including The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund, in a will contest.
Represented a major chemical company since 1979 in the Agent Orange litigation. Most recently, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Agent Orange cases brought by both U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War and Vietnamese citizens. 517 F.3d 76 (2d Cir. 2008) and 517 F.3d 104 (2d Cir. 2008).
Represented a major chemical company in Bhopal-related litigation. The history of this litigation in the United States since 2000 is summarized in the opinion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit reported at 548 F.3d 59 (2d Cir. 2008).
