Freeborn Welcomes New Partner Darren M. VanPuymbrouck

 CHICAGO – July 22, 2015 – The Chicago-based law firm Freeborn & Peters LLP has announced that Darren M. VanPuymbrouck, an internationally recognized leader in fire and explosion litigation and forensics, has joined the firm as a Partner in the Litigation Practice Group and as the leader of Freeborn’s Fire & Explosion Response and Litigation Task Force.

“A catastrophic event can be devastating to a company, but with Darren’s experience as a counselor and litigator covering fire and explosion emergencies, our clients will have access to a trusted advisor to help them navigate the challenging experience of dealing with such crises while mitigating their liability in the process,” said Michael A. Moynihan, the firm’s Co-Managing Partner. “Beyond his emergency-response work, Darren also is a great addition to our robust general commercial litigation team and he brings deep experience in counseling clients on risk avoidance and with navigating the contours of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.”

Mr. VanPuymbrouck brings to the firm more than 25 years of experience successfully trying high-profile, bet-the-company lawsuits in state and federal courts nationwide for domestic and international clients. In addition to defending against mass toxic torts and complex product liability claims, he has developed a national reputation in the niche area of fires and explosions, having litigated more than 400 incidents, including some of the most significant global catastrophes. Mr. VanPuymbrouck’s emergency response work has involved leading teams of professionals and consultants at fire and explosion sites involving commercial, manufacturing, marine, natural gas, propane, refining and residential facilities. His practice draws from his deep knowledge of the complexities of fire science, electrical and chemical engineering, and fire modeling and he regular advises clients on risk assessment and avoidance.

Mr. VanPuymbrouck previously was a partner in the Chicago office of Schiff Hardin, LLP where he was the founding chair of that firm’s International Fire & Explosion Team.

“I am pleased to join the Freeborn & Peters Litigation Practice Group and look forward to working closely with the firm’s Transportation Team and Insurance & Reinsurance Industry Team to help our clients rapidly respond to emergencies that arise and minimize their exposure and liability concerning catastrophic incidents” said Mr. VanPuymbrouck.

Mr. VanPuymbrouck is a co-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Expert Witness Committee and the Complex Torts Subcommittee of the ABA’s Section of Litigation Corporate Counsel Committee. He also is a member of the National  Association of Fire Investigators and a PADI-Certified deep-water and wreck diver. He received his J.D. from Loyola University School of Law where he served as an editor to the Loyola Law Review and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington where he was a member of the Honors Program. Mr. VanPuymbrouck also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Judge William J. Bauer, 7th Circuit Court of Appleals.

 

ABOUT FREEBORN & PETERS

 

Freeborn & Peters LLP is a full-service law firm, headquartered in Chicago, with international capabilities. Freeborn is always looking ahead and seeking to find better ways to serve its clients. It takes a proactive approach to ensure its clients are more informed, prepared and able to achieve greater success – not just now, but also in the future. While the firm serves clients across a very broad range of sectors, it has also pioneered an interdisciplinary approach that serves the specific needs of targeted industries, including credit unions, food, transportation, private equity and venture capital, and insurance and reinsurance.

 

Freeborn is a firm that genuinely lives up to its core values of integrity, caring, effectiveness, teamwork, and commitment, and embodies them through high standards of client service and responsive action. Its lawyers build close and lasting relationships with clients and are driven to help them achieve their legal and business objectives.

 

For more information, please visit www.freeborn.com.