Fredric M. Brooks

Biography

Fredric (Rick) Brooks represents clients in the evaluation, litigation, and resolution of complex disputes and in the negotiation, design, and implementation of large settlements. He focuses his practice on products liability, mass tort bankruptcies, and class actions.

Litigation and Settlement Counsel for Clients in Class Actions, Mass Tort Bankruptcies, and Complex Disputes

Rick advises clients on the litigation and resolution of complex commercial disputes and on structuring and implementing large settlements, including:

  • Resolution of mass liabilities through Chapter 11 proceedings
  • Class action settlements
  • Resolution and settlement of asbestos and other tort claims

Strategic Counseling and Risk and Dispute Analysis

Rick provides counsel to clients on strategic options for resolution of liabilities and mass claims in areas such as:

  • Evaluation and resolution of pending and future claim exposure
  • Insurance coverage issues
  • Big data analysis
  • Working closely with outside experts and consultants on claim estimation and liability forecasting

Neutral Services Resolving and Administering Complex Disputes and Settlements

Rick serves as a neutral in the settlement and resolution of complex disputes, and has designed and administered numerous large claims processes.

  • Served as a deputy to the Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001
  • Worked for the Office of the Special Master of the re-opened September 11th Victim Compensation Fund
  • Worked on the successful adjudication and resolution of claims in settlements of significant class actions in cases involving areas such as commercial litigation and discrimination claims brought by police officers

Rick was previously a partner with a well-regarded complex dispute resolution firm where he worked on the successful resolution of numerous large class actions and mass tort matters, both as counsel to clients involved in complex litigation and as a neutral in the settlement and resolution of such matters. He also served in the U.S. Department of Justice as a Special Attorney acting as a Deputy to the Special Master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001. In that role, he assisted in the drafting of the federal regulations to govern the original Fund, served as a Hearing Officer for award and eligibility hearings, and conducted extensive public outreach.

Recognitions

2023, Outstanding Pro Bono Service Award, awarded by City Bar Justice Center

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • New York City Bar Association
Professional Activities

Rick is a member of the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association and of the Dispute Resolution Committee of the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section of the American Bar Association. He has been a lead author of the annual survey article published in the Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal on Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution. Rick has spoken at various public events and legal conferences.

Publications:

  • Co-author, “Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2020 (55:2) of ABA
  • Co-author, “Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Spring 2019 (54:2) of ABA
  • Co-author, “Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2018 (53:2) of ABA
  • Co-author, “Asbestos – the Never Ending Story: Recent Developments in U.S. Law on Scope of Exposure and Limitations on Jurisdiction,” December 2017 issue of General Reinsurance (Gen Re) German liability magazine Phi|Haftpflicht – Recht & Versicherung, Nr. 6/2017
  • Co-author, “Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2017 (52:2) of ABA
  • Co-author, “Recent Developments in Alternative Dispute Resolution,” Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Law Journal, Winter 2016 (51:2) of ABA
  • Co-author, “Non-Debtor Injunctions Barring Future Asbestos Claims Under Bankruptcy Code § 524(g),” The New York Law Journal, July 16, 2012

Presentations/Speaking Engagements:

  • Moderator, “Using ADR Devices to Resolve Complex and Multiple Insurance and Other Claims Arising Out of Disasters,” ABA Tort and Trial Insurance Practice Section Conference, Disasters: The Emerging D&O, E&O and Corporate Risks: What you need to know, and how to manage, mitigate and resolve those risks, February 5, 2019.

Credentials

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • New York

Education

  • Yale University, BA
  • Columbia University School of Law, JD