About Us — Brayton Purcell LLP
National Leaders in Asbestos and Artificial Stone Silicosis Litigation
For more than forty years, Brayton Purcell LLP has been one of the nation’s leading law firms representing individuals and families harmed by toxic exposures. Our experience spans thousands of asbestos cases, groundbreaking artificial stone silicosis litigation, and the complex tort matters that define modern toxic injury law.
We represent clients in all 50 states, bringing deep technical knowledge, industry-wide insight, and unmatched trial experience to every case.
Our Work
Asbestos Litigation
Brayton Purcell LLP is recognized as one of the most experienced asbestos firms in the United States. We represent clients diagnosed with:
- Mesothelioma
- Lung cancer
- Asbestosis
- Other asbestos-related diseases
Our firm has secured over 3 billion dollars for victims and built one of the country’s most extensive asbestos product and worksite databases—an invaluable tool in proving exposure and holding corporations accountable.
Artificial Stone Silicosis Litigation
We are the national leader in the rapidly expanding field of artificial stone silicosis litigation, representing countertop fabricators and installers across the country.
Brayton Purcell LLP has achieved over $200 million in verdicts and settlements over the last two years for silicosis clients.
All Practice Areas
Landmark Case: $52 Million+ Verdict
Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez
In the most influential artificial stone silicosis case to date, Brayton Purcell LLP secured a verdict of more than $52 million for Gustavo Reyes Gonzalez, a fabricator of crystalline silica artificial stone countertops who developed advanced silicosis after exposure to respirable crystalline silica. This case helped expose industry-wide failures, spurred regulatory scrutiny, and established a litigation framework now used nationally.
Our Leadership
Founding Partner & National Authority on Toxic Exposure Litigation
Alan Brayton
With more than forty years of experience, Alan Brayton is widely recognized as one of the West’s leading attorneys representing injured individuals in personal injury, products liability, and mass tort litigation. He is nationally known as one of the foremost advocates for victims of asbestos-related disease and has represented clients from nearly every state.
Alan has been recognized by the Consumer Attorneys of California for his achievements in Products Liability and Professional Negligence. He has successfully tried and settled numerous cases involving mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases, major products liability claims, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury. He has consistently been selected by his peers as a Super Lawyer since 2004, reflecting his selection in the top 5% of attorneys. He has also served as President of the Public Justice Foundation and Chair of the National Judicial College Board of Trustees.
He has been involved in cases before the California Supreme Court, California Courts of Appeal, and multiple Federal Courts. Under his leadership, Brayton Purcell LLP has become one of the premier trial firms in the United States.
Partner, Trial Counsel & National Leader in Artificial Stone Silicosis Litigation
James Nevin
James Nevin is recognized nationally for his extensive experience and leadership in asbestos litigation and artificial stone silicosis litigation. He is frequently sought by attorneys, medical professionals, and media outlets for his knowledge in crystalline silica artificial stone exposures, manufacturer negligence, and complex toxic tort strategy.
James has played a major role in the country’s most significant silicosis cases, helping establish litigation models used across the United States. His strategic leadership and deep subject-matter knowledge have been central to Brayton Purcell LLP’s national prominence in silicosis litigation. James has been designated a Super Lawyer since 2013.
Partner & National Authority on Toxic Tort Settlements
David Donadio
David Donadio brings more than three decades of experience in toxic exposure, environmental law, and complex mass tort litigation. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the University of San Francisco School of Law, he also holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) with a concentration in environmental law from Vermont Law School.
David began his career at Brayton Purcell LLP in 1991 and became a partner in 2000. In addition to handling most case settlement negotiations, he is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of associate attorneys and paralegals. David also leads law and motion strategy, discovery, and case development. David currently serves as lead settlement negotiator for all asbestos and silica cases.
He has been designated a Super Lawyer every year since 2009, reflecting his sustained excellence and leadership in toxic exposure litigation.
Lead Trial Counsel
Gilbert Purcell
Gilbert (“Gil”) Purcell is widely recognized as one of the nation’s preeminent asbestos and toxic tort trial attorneys, with a career defined by groundbreaking verdicts and courtroom leadership across the Western United States. He tried his first asbestos case in 1986—before the future Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court—and secured one of the earliest significant verdicts against John Crane Packing Company. He later obtained the first successful asbestos property damage verdict in California against W.R. Grace & Co., achieving multimillion-dollar results in high-profile litigation involving a 32-story Los Angeles tower.
Over the course of his career, Gil has tried and won more asbestos cases than nearly any other attorney in the country. He tried to successful plaintiff’s verdict the very first artificial stone silicosis case the U.S. His trials span Washington, Oregon, Utah, and numerous counties throughout California, and his work includes pioneering asbestos-related non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma cases in Washington and Oregon, as well as an early asbestos-related colorectal cancer case in California. His exceptional trial record and strategic skill have not only shaped asbestos litigation across multiple jurisdictions but have also played a central role in establishing Brayton Purcell LLP as one of the nation’s premier trial firms.
Managing Attorney, Investigations
Hugh Cook
Hugh has played a pivotal role in the litigation and trials of numerous artificial stone, mesothelioma and asbestos-related injury cases, culminating in countless multimillion-dollar recoveries for our clients and their families. His expertise and dedication have consistently yielded favorable outcomes, providing vital compensation to those affected by the devastating consequences of asbestos and crystalline silica artificial stone exposure.
Hugh manages the firm’s Investigations Department, expertly guiding a dedicated team whose mission is to uncover critical evidence that establishes liability and exposure for clients nationwide. Their approach combines meticulous interviews with clients and coworkers and rigorous corporate research, equipping their team to provide indispensable support for intricate asbestos and silicosis cases that span multiple jurisdictions.
Integral to his role, Hugh manages an extensive database encompassing job sites, coworkers, and product identifications, a resource cultivated by the firm over more than forty years. This database is a repository of interview summaries, deposition transcripts, and documents gathered from prior litigation, empowering the firm to pinpoint potential
exposures that our clients may have encountered at job sites throughout the country with remarkable precision.
Hugh also directs the firm’s client intake process, acting as the first point of contact for many of our severely injured clients. He assists new clients navigate the legal journey, ensuring their questions are addressed from the outset. Additionally, Hugh partners closely with attorneys, investigators, and intake staff to conduct comprehensive assessments of liability, exposure history, and jurisdictional factors, guaranteeing each case is handled efficiently and strategically from its inception.
Beyond his internal responsibilities, Hugh fosters strong partnerships with referring counsel across the United States. He routinely collaborates with firms that entrust our law firm with challenging asbestos, silicosis, and other personal injury matters. Through careful evaluation of referred cases and consistent, transparent communication, Hugh maintains a standard of diligence and respect that upholds the high expectations of clients and referral partners alike.
Why Choose Brayton Purcell LLP?
- 40+ attorneys
- 200+ support staff
- In-house investigators and accomplished research teams
- Representation across the United States
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Billions recovered in asbestos litigation
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Over $200 million recovered for silicosis victims
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Record-setting toxic exposure verdicts
We explain every option clearly, keep our clients informed, and fight relentlessly for accountability and justice.
How We Help
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, artificial stone silicosis, other toxic exposure, or any type of catastrophic injury, Brayton Purcell LLP can:
- Investigate exposure history and work up every aspect of the case
- Identify responsible manufacturers and distributors and other responsible parties
- Pursue compensation through lawsuits, bankruptcy trust claims and worker’s compensation claims
- Provide full-service representation from intake through trial
Contact Us
We offer free initial consultations for individuals and families affected by asbestos exposure, artificial stone silicosis, other toxic exposures, and any catastrophic injury or death.
Contact Brayton Purcell LLP today to discuss your legal options.