Manufacturing
Keeping Operations Moving Forward
Manufacturers operate in complex, interdependent supply chains where operational, contractual, and liability risks can impact production, delivery, and profitability. Legal strategy plays a critical role in maintaining continuity, managing disruption, and protecting margins.
Carrington Coleman advises manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors on transactions, employment, disputes, construction, and regulatory matters — as well as intellectual property, innovation, and data-related risks that increasingly shape modern manufacturing operations. We align legal guidance with business priorities, helping clients manage risk without slowing the business.
From supply agreements to high-stakes disputes, we deliver practical, business-focused counsel that supports operational continuity, protects key relationships, and positions businesses for long-term growth. We also help clients protect what differentiates them — from proprietary processes to emerging technologies — while navigating evolving legal and regulatory expectations.
Representative Matters
- Supply chain and commercial contracts, including sourcing, manufacturing, distribution, and vendor agreements
- Contract negotiation and dispute resolution involving suppliers, customers, and strategic partners
- Employment and labor matters, including workforce management, OSHA investigations and citations, compliance, non-competes, and disputes in production environments
- Product liability, warranty, and defect-related claims and risk management
- Regulatory compliance impacting manufacturing operations, including safety and industry-specific requirements
- Intellectual property strategy, including patent, trademark, trade secret protection, and enforcement
- IP litigation, including patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation claims
- Advisory on innovation, including protection of proprietary processes, emerging technologies, and AI-related considerations
- Data privacy, cybersecurity, and information governance related to manufacturing operations and connected systems
- Insurance coverage analysis and recovery related to product liability, business interruption, and operational losses
- Dispute resolution, including litigation and arbitration involving contract, product, and operational issues
- Corporate, M&A, and strategic transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, and growth initiatives
- Real estate, facilities, and operational footprint matters, including design and construction contracts, leasing, and site-related issues
- Operational advisory and outside general counsel support for day-to-day legal and business challenges
How We’ve Helped Clients
- Represented an international plastics manufacturer in negotiating manufacturing and distribution agreements with U.S. counterparties
- Defended large international manufacturer in matters involving engineering, construction and product liability claims involving building technologies, power generation, water treatment, airport systems and other infrastructure projects
- Successfully defended numerous product liability cases involving medical and industrial products, protecting against significant exposure
- Successfully defended toxic tort claims involving flow control and electrical products
- Defended a major oil company in litigation arising from a catastrophic explosion involving an oil storage tank, involving serious personal injury claims
- Represented multinational semiconductor manufacturers in patent prosecution, trademark portfolio management, and both offensive and defensive IP litigation matters
- Negotiated a global supply agreement and multiple NDAs for a manufacturer of semiconductor manufacturing equipment
- Defended a manufacturer of water infrastructure equipment in a patent infringement and trade secret misappropriation case, achieving dismissal of trade secret and contract claims, invalidation of a patent before the PTAB, and a favorable settlement on remaining claims
- Defended a nanoparticle manufacturer in federal litigation involving inventorship, patent infringement, and breach of contract claims, resulting in a favorable resolution
- Advised manufacturers on structuring and negotiating supply chain and vendor agreements critical to production continuity and delivery timelines
- Counseled manufacturing clients on insurance coverage and recovery strategies related to product liability and operational losses
- Represented manufacturers in connection with procurement of design and construction contracts and resolution of claims involving project defects and delays
- Represented food manufacturer in high risk wrongful death premises liability case brought by supplier
- Represented international manufacturer in dispute with former sales team regarding sales commission agreements
- Successfully represented manufacturer in arbitration on claims related to relocation of manufacturing equipment