Daniel  J. Sinclair pittsburgh

Daniel J. Sinclair

Member

Overview

Dan Sinclair focuses his practice in the defense of toxic tort and product liability lawsuits. He has extensive courtroom experience, successfully trying cases to verdict representing large corporations, small companies, municipalities, and individuals. He currently represents three Fortune 200 corporations, including two automakers, in the defense of their asbestos claims.

Prior to joining the firm, Dan was responsible for the defense of asbestos lawsuits for a consortium of 20 manufacturers and suppliers and also represented defendants and plaintiffs in a broad range of tort, commercial, and estate litigation matters.

Representative Matters

  • Serves as a national trial counsel for automakers; admitted pro hac vice to try cases in eight states.
  • Handles all phases of asbestos litigation in cases filed in western Pennsylvania, from the pleadings stage through discovery and trial, and at the appellate level.
  • Has handled litigation alleging injuries due to pharmaceutical products and exposures to silica, benzene, formaldehyde, mercury, beryllium, and other substances.
  • Has defended claims arising out of exposure to a wide array of asbestos-containing products.
  • Represents clients in cases involving personal injuries resulting from defective products or negligent conduct.
  • Coordinated defense of multiple defendants litigating the exclusivity provision of the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation Act.
  • Has cross-examined most of the experts regularly retained by the plaintiff’s asbestos bar.

Professional Affiliations

  • Allegheny County Bar Association; Member of the Judiciary Committee
  • Allegheny County Bar Foundation; President (2023-2025); Member of the Board of Trustees
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute

Community Involvement

  • St. John Capistran Parish, Upper St. Clair, Volunteer
  • Reading is FUNdamental Pittsburgh, elementary school reading mentor

Awards and Recognition:

  • Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2024 for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • Selected for inclusion as The Best Lawyers in America 2023 for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants

News and Insights

Speaking Engagements

  • “Conducting Voir Dire and Jury Selection” and “Building Your Civil Trial Skills,” presented as part of the National Business Institute’s Litigating Civil Cases in Pennsylvania From Start to Finish program, November 2, 2022.
  • “Motions and Briefs: Timing Strategy, Drafting and Hearing Insights,” National Business Institute, May 2022. 
  • “Litigating Civil Cases in Pennsylvania from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, November 2021.
  • “Mastering the Basics of Discovery: A Practical Guide to Navigating Pre-Trial Discovery,” National Business Institute, December 2020.
  • “Hot Topics in Pennsylvania Mass Tort Law,” Eckert Seamans’ Continuing Legal Education (CLE), August 2014.
  • “Recent Developments in the Litigation of Occupational Cancers and Lung Disease,” Tri-State Occupational Medicine Society, October, 2012.
  • “The Pennsylvania Fair Share Act,” Allegheny County Bar Association, April, 2012.
  • “The Mechanics of Pennsylvania Civil Procedure,” National Business Institute Seminars, April, 2011.
  • “The Workers’ Compensation Bar in Asbestos Litigation,” HarrisMartin Pennsylvania Asbestos Litigation Conference, 2009.