Adam Dinnell is a skilled trial lawyer who has tried more than 40 cases for both plaintiffs and defendants in federal and state courts across the country. He has successfully led trial teams in high-stakes complex commercial and tort disputes spanning energy, transportation & logistics, manufacturing, and other rapidly evolving industries.
Clients value Dinnell’s battle-tested ability to translate complex scientific and technical subjects—from combustion engineering and groundwater hydrology to bacterial genomics—into accessible, compelling presentations for juries. Dinnell prefers to take trial matters on a flat fee or success-fee basis so there is ample “skin in the game,” and is often hired to take over cases from other law firms on the eve of trial. Recent examples where he has served as “parachute” trial counsel include taking the lead in a three-week federal jury trial in New Orleans less than three weeks after being hired by the client and trying a complex breach of contract case in Seattle after being hired on the eve of trial.
Based on his experience as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), where he defended the United States in some of the highest-profile tort cases of the past two decades, including suits related to the Flint water crisis, Hurricane Katrina, and the 2001 anthrax attacks, Dinnell is often asked to serve as national coordinating counsel for dockets that feature dozens (if not hundreds or thousands) of tort claims with billions in potential liability at stake. This includes nationwide dockets of workplace injury cases. As a veteran of multiple multidistrict litigations (MDLs), Dinnell has served as MDL co-liaison counsel, has argued before the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation, and is well-versed in MDL strategy and procedure. Dinnell also frequently serves as trial consulting counsel in standalone cases, identifying key thematic points, leading focus group testing, and developing effective and persuasive messaging for trial.
Dinnell strongly believes in the importance of training the next generation of trial lawyers. He serves as the firm’s hiring partner, co-director of the firm’s Courtroom Advocacy Program, and is a frequent trial advocacy instructor and lecturer at various law schools, including Notre Dame Law School and the University of Chicago Law School. Throughout his career, he has been heavily involved in pro bono work and has represented clients ranging from a Texas death row inmate to tenant organizations in the District of Columbia.
Lawdragon Honors
| Honor | Year | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| The 2027 Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America | 2027 | Commercial Litigation, Energy |
Notable Experience
Energy and Natural Resources
- Tried multimillion-dollar contractual dispute involving fracking equipment in U.S. bankruptcy court. Successfully obtained a defense ruling for the client.
- Represented mineral owner in dispute with mining company concerning ownership rights. Presented argument and evidence during multi-day temporary injunction hearing.
- Successfully obtained dismissal and an award of sanctions in favor of client under the Texas Citizens’ Participation Act in response to a $35 million tortious interference suit brought against client by a wind energy developer.
Toxic Torts
- Represented the United States as lead counsel in all claims and cases filed against the United States stemming from the federal response to the Flint Water Crisis in Flint, MI.
- Represented the United States as deputy lead counsel in $100 billion multidistrict product liability litigation featuring 40,000 plaintiffs who alleged injurious formaldehyde exposures due to the government’s provision of emergency trailers following Hurricane Katrina. Oversaw all scientific/medical aspects of the case. Obtained the dismissal of all claims against the government by drafting a series of motions based on never-before-used state emergency management statutes. Later argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. In re: FEMA Trailer Formaldehyde Prods. Liab. Litig., 668 F.3d 281 (5th Cir. 2012).
- Represented the United States in multidistrict litigation stemming from alleged water contamination at Camp Lejeune, NC.
- Represented the United States as appellate counsel in an appeal stemming from the dismissal of personal injury and wrongful death claims related to toxic mold contamination. Argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. Garcia v. U.S. Air Force, 533 F.3d 1170 (10th Cir. 2008).
- Represented the United States as lead counsel in a case brought by an electrical cooperative that alleged federal firefighters negligently caused the destruction of their property during a wildfire in eastern Oregon. Successfully obtained dismissal of the action.
- Represented the United States in a case brought by a plaintiff alleging debilitating neurological problems caused by exposure to toxic mold in a government facility. Following the production of expert reports, secured a voluntary dismissal.
Other
- Representing individuals in high-visibility matters involving the Catholic Church abuse scandal in Houston, TX, and the wrongful death of a Peace Corps volunteer.
- Represented the United States in the prosecution of six defendants who, as part of the “Occupy DC” movement, took over a government building in Washington, D.C. After a highly publicized jury trial, secured guilty verdicts as to all six defendants.
- Represented the attorney general as appellate counsel in an appeal stemming from a decision of the Board of Immigration Appeals. Argued before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and obtained a published affirmance. Toufighi v. Mukasey, 538 F.3d 988 (9th Cir. 2008).