Arlene Barton, ESQ

Ms. Arlene Barton serves as Of Counsel at Lydecker, where she partners with litigation teams throughout the Firm’s California offices to navigate some complex and high-exposure matters. With more than 25 years of litigation experience, Ms. Barton is regarded as a formidable advocate with a proven record of success across toxic tort, product liability, mass tort, general liability, and complex civil litigation. Her practice is defined by strategic precision, exceptional case management, and an unwavering commitment to advancing client objectives in high-stakes environments.

Throughout her career, Ms. Barton has defended owners, manufacturers, contractors, distributors, and suppliers in litigation involving a broad spectrum of industrial and pharmaceutical products—including chemicals, talc, pesticides/herbicides, and asbestos. She has led numerous trial teams and is known for her sophisticated command of end-to-end litigation, from initial case assessment and discovery through expert work, dispositive motions, trial preparation, and trial. She is equally adept at steering both individual high-exposure cases and complex national litigation portfolios, developing tailored strategies that protect client interests while anticipating long-range legal and factual risks.

Ms. Barton’s litigation experience also includes defending catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. She has represented global manufacturers, national retailers, and major premises operators in cases involving consumer and industrial substances and materials. Her clients rely on her forward-looking guidance on emerging areas of liability, issues of first impression, and proactive measures to mitigate and limit large-scale or anticipated exposure. Her ability to integrate legal analysis with practical business considerations has made her a trusted advisor to companies facing multifaceted and evolving litigation challenges.

From 2012 through 2018, Ms. Barton served as a Judge Pro Tem in the San Francisco Superior Court’s Discovery Department, where she presided over discovery disputes and provided judicial guidance in complex civil matters. This experience deepened her insight into judicial expectations and procedural strategy, further enhancing her effectiveness in navigating discovery battles and pre-trial litigation.

A seasoned strategist, respected litigator, and dedicated leader, Ms. Barton brings exceptional advocacy, foresight, and experience to every matter she handles.