Personal Background
Lee Cirsch is a senior attorney at The Lanier Law Firm. He is an experienced trial lawyer who has handled a wide variety of personal injury, product liability, and business and commercial litigation matters for more than two decades. He primarily focuses on representing the firm’s clients in personal injury and product liability matters.
Lee focuses on the needs of the firm’s clients and develops the best strategy to achieve those needs in the most creative, efficient, and economical manner possible. His vast experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants gives him an uncanny ability to understand and often predict his opponent’s strategy, thereby giving the firm’s clients an edge in litigation. Clients often say Lee presents things well and that his work is thorough and thought out; he finds it especially rewarding when clients tell him he has a strong grasp on their case.
Lee has a genuine interest in learning and a natural ability to understand and connect with people, whether he’s communicating with clients or opposing counsel. He takes pride in simplifying complex legal issues, making it easier for clients to understand and navigate. For Lee, clear communication isn’t just a skill – it’s essential to build trust and guiding clients through their case.
Lee started his legal career handling business litigation matters with the large global law firm, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, LLP. He went on to represent large property and casualty insurers at Barger & Wolen, LLP. Lee then joined The Lanier Law Firm, where he worked under esteemed trial attorney Mark Lanier in securing some of the largest national mass tort verdicts in recent history on behalf of consumers injured by defective drugs and medical devices, as well as handling business and commercial matters for individuals and businesses on a contingency basis.
When Lee is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading, cooking and dining out, and keeping fit.
Representative Cases
As a senior attorney, Lee has represented clients across a wide range of complex litigations, from mass tort and product liability cases to high-stakes personal injury matters. His work spans both individual trial victories and firm-wide efforts on major ongoing litigations.
Noodle Soup Cup Burns
Lee oversees all case management for the firm’s work with the noodle soup cup burns litigation, which primarily affects children and families from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Due to the design and scalding temperature of these products, victims have suffered severe second- and third-degree burns, often requiring extensive medical treatment.
Open AI/ChatGPT
Lee is part of the firm’s team pursuing product liability claims against OpenAI, which has been consolidated into a Judicial Council Coordination Proceeding (JCCP No. 5431, In Re: ChatGPT Product Liability Cases) and is pending in the California Superior Court for San Francisco County. The cases allege that OpenAI and Samuel Altman rushed ChatGPT-4o to market while ignoring safety concerns raised within the company and that the product has caused serious psychological harm to users and their families, including suicide.
Texas Dairy Farm Explosion
Lee oversees work related to the South Fork Dairy Farm explosion in Dimmitt, Texas, which resulted in one of the deadliest barn fires on record. A fire spread rapidly in part due to spray foam insulation installed throughout the facility without proper fire-retardant safeguards, ultimately killing approximately 18,000 cattle. Lee is committed to holding the responsible parties accountable for the catastrophic property damage and losses suffered.
Ingham v. Johnson & Johnson
Lee was an instrumental member of the Lanier trial team charged with preparing the matter of Ingham et al. v. Johnson & Johnson for trial, where a St. Louis, Missouri jury awarded 22 women over $4.69 billion in 2018.
Flores v. Palo Verde Union School District
Lee served as trial counsel in this matter, which resulted in a $3.6 million jury verdict for the plaintiff, Ernie Flores. The jury unanimously found that Mr. Flores had been wrongfully terminated and retaliated against based on national origin.
Kelly v. Circle K Stores, Inc.
Lee served as trial counsel in this matter, where the jury awarded $1.2 million to the plaintiff, Maeve Kelly for injuries caused by a dangerous condition at a Circle K store.
Community and Professional Activities
- Member, American Association for Justice