FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
July 1, 2026 

Nationally recognized group will leverage the firm’s 58-office network to defend manufacturers, insurers, and corporate clients in high-stakes product and toxic tort litigation 

MIAMI, FL. Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. (QPWB), today announced the launch of a national Products Liability & Toxic Tort Practice Group with the addition of an accomplished team of litigators led by partner William “Will” Purnell. Joining Purnell are partners Carmen Bickerdt, Vanessa Merassaint, and Christa Chance, who together bring deep, defense-side experience in product liability, toxic tort, mass tort, and environmental litigation. 

The new group expands QPWB’s litigation capabilities into one of the most complex and high-exposure areas of civil defense practice. Operating from points across the country, the team will serve firm clients through QPWB’s national network of 58 offices located in major metropolitan areas throughout the United States, providing coordinated, multi-jurisdictional defense for manufacturers, insurers, and corporate clients facing product and toxic tort claims. 

“The arrival of Will and his team is a defining moment for our firm and a direct response to what our clients are telling us they need,” said Eric W. Boyer, National Managing Partner of QPWB. “Product liability and toxic tort matters are increasingly national in scope, scientifically complex, and high in exposure. This group gives our clients a single, coordinated defense team backed by the reach of our existing team. It is exactly the kind of strategic growth that strengthens the value we deliver every day.” 

“QPWB offers the ideal combination of entrepreneurial spirit and the flexibility to build and manage your practice in a way that reflects your strengths and vision,” said Purnell, who will lead the new practice group. “Joining the firm provides a unique opportunity to chart your own path while benefiting from the resources, support, and national platform of one of the largest minority-owned law firms in the country. What made this such an exciting opportunity for us is that we can continue delivering the exceptional litigation representation our clients have always relied on while expanding our capabilities to include sophisticated risk management, proactive assessment, and strategic counseling that help clients identify and address issues before they become disputes. We were excited to find a platform that not only supports our continued growth but also shares our commitment to developing the next generation of exceptional attorneys through a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture.” 

Will Purnell (Partner) advises manufacturers in industries including consumer products, heavy construction equipment, and environmental services, and is particularly skilled at helping clients define, assess, and minimize risk before claims arise. A former in-house counsel for global industrial and HVAC manufacturers, he counsels C-suite executives and insurers on global risk management and legal spend, and has a proven track record in arbitration, mediation, and settlement negotiations both in North America and internationally. He has been recognized by The Legal 500 in Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Toxic Tort, and by The National Black Lawyers, Top 100. 

Carmen Bickerdt (Partner) brings more than 20 years of experience defending cases across the country, with a focus on the automotive industry, including catastrophic personal injury litigation involving component defects, autonomous vehicle technology, toxic tort, and warranty matters for domestic and international motor vehicle manufacturers. She defends both individual cases and coordinated mass actions across product liability, toxic tort, warranty, and trucking litigation, and has significant experience defending product manufacturers and suppliers in asbestos personal injury cases. 

“We look forward to continuing to collaborate to bring clients the best and most efficient results possible,” said Carmen Bickerdt. “Harnessing the national QPWB team will allow us to do that while acting as coordinating counsel and expanding our family-like culture within the firm.” 

Christa Chance (Partner) brings nearly 30 years of litigation experience focused on personal injury defense, toxic torts, and product liability, including pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer and mechanical product matters. She represents clients in complex multi-party litigation from case evaluation through trial and appeal. 

“I am thrilled to bring my decades of litigation experience to this dynamic and diverse team to forge a strategic partnership that delivers world class legal services tailored to the specific needs of each and every client across the country,” said Christa Chance. 

Vanessa Merassaint (Partner) defends clients throughout all phases of complex toxic tort litigation, with extensive experience in talcum powder, asbestos, and premises liability matters. She has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (Commercial Litigation) and by The Legal 500 in Litigation: Product Liability Defense, Toxic Tort. 

“Our team has a shared vision to create opportunities for women of color to thrive in the legal profession while fostering an environment where all others feel valued and included,” said Vanessa Merassaint. “That is exactly why QPWB is such a natural fit for our team. We have watched the firm grow from its roots in Florida into a national platform while maintaining that same commitment to inclusion and opportunity. QPWB is a place where people from all backgrounds have the opportunity to succeed and truly feel at home.” 

For more information about QPWB’s Products Liability and Toxic Tort practice or its national platform, for media inquiries, or to connect with our attorney team, please contact: 

Devin Leonardi 
Chief Marketing Officer 
Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer P.A. 
devin.leonardi@qpwblaw.com 
(407) 872-6011 ext. 4115 
qpwblaw.com 

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About Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. 

Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A. is one of the fastest growing law firms in the United States. We provide a different focus on providing responsive legal defense service to clients and team members. With a national presence of 58 offices and a comprehensive scope of over 130 practice areas, QPWB delivers legal representation in litigation, regulatory, and corporate matters to a diverse range of industries. This scope and rapid expansion has attracted unique legal talent from all different backgrounds and experiences which has contributed to their presence as the largest minority-owned law firm in the country.