Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman LLP Law Firm

Peter J Burfening, Jr. -- Senior Counsel

  Office:  San Diego
  Phone:   (619) 849-4905

Education:	California Western School of Law , 1998 J.D.
Education:	Montana State University , 1994 B.A.

Experience:	Environmental & Toxic Tort Extensive experience in the defense of environmental and toxic tort claims involving contaminated property, including the defense of personal injury and property damage claims arising from the exposure to mold, silica, welding rod fumes, benzene, asbestos and other environmental contaminants. Defense of companies on violations of the Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986 (commonly known as Proposition 65). Experience in litigating two distinct parts of the Act, citizen-suit groups targeting labels and material safety data sheets warning of alleged toxic substances and discharge of pollutants into drinking water.
	Product Liability Defense of manufactures, distributors and retailers of products alleged to cause injuries and property damage, including intraocular lens implants, gadolinium-based dyes used in MRI procedures and ephedera-based diet supplements. Defense of property owners, builders, developers and contractors in claims for personal injuries and property damage arising out of defective construction materials.
	Automotive Law Defense of automotive dealerships on violations of Vehicle Code, Consumers Legal Remedies Act and Lemon Law issues. Representation of dealerships in administrative proceedings with the Department of Motor Vehicles.
	Professional Liability Defense of attorneys, real estate agents and brokers and mold remediation professionals.

Peter's practice focuses on the areas of environmental and toxic tort litigation, general liability, product liability, professional liability and automotive law practice. Peter is routinely consulted by the insurance industry to assist with their investigation of first and third party environmental claims. He is also part of the team that serves as National Monitoring Counsel for several major insurance companies for the handling of mass tort environmental claims throughout the United States. Recently, Peter was instrumental in resolving an environmental exposure matter involving 76 plaintiffs with claims of serious bodily injury, including birth defects, resulting from their exposure within the apartment complex in which they resided.