Am Law 100 firm bolsters nationally ranked product liability and mass torts practice with veteran pharmaceutical and medical device litigator
LOS ANGELES (October 1, 2025) — Barnes & Thornburg, a national law firm with more than 800 attorneys in 23 offices, announced today that Joshua Wes joined the firm as a partner in Los Angeles. Wes joins the Product Liability and Mass Torts practice group within B&T's national litigation team of more than 350 professionals.
Wes brings two decades of experience serving clients in high-stakes business disputes. He defends pharmaceutical, medical device and consumer products clients in product liability and mass tort litigation in state and federal court, including in multidistrict and coordinated proceedings. Wes also handles eDiscovery, including international eDiscovery and privacy-related issues, and commercial litigation.
"We are delighted to welcome Josh to Barnes & Thornburg," said Kevin Rising, managing partner of the Los Angeles office. "Josh's track record of representing some of the country's most prominent drug, medical device and consumer goods manufacturers in high stakes, complex litigation makes him a strong strategic addition to the Los Angeles office's robust product liability team, and to the firm at large."
Wes is the latest of 12 lateral litigators to join B&T in 2025, including partners Kelly Brilleaux, Tiffany Downs, Elizabeth Fenton, Matthew Kelley, Paul Kisslinger, Matthew Grabell and Paul Wilhelm; of counsel Vineet Gauri, J. Taylor Kirklin and Victor Obasaju; and counsel William LaGrange.
"As we continue to organically grow our litigation team, the arrival of talented lawyers like Josh further strengthens our ability to serve clients," said Randall Brown, chair of B&T's Litigation department. "His proven leadership and ability to navigate complex legal challenges will enhance our ability to litigate for clients at the highest level."
Chambers USA ranks B&T as National Band 1 ranked for product liability and mass torts, and as a "commercial litigation powerhouse," more generally. More than half of the firm's litigation partners are ranked in major directories, including Chambers USA, Best Lawyers and Benchmark Litigation.
"I have seen the growth of Barnes & Thornburg into a national litigation firm with exceptional product liability defense experience, including here on the West Coast," said Wes. "The firm's collaborative culture and national reach align perfectly with my commitment to delivering litigation results for clients."