Neil Kliebenstein is a dedicated trial attorney and former Executive Officer in the U.S. Army prepared to defend high-profile individual and mass tort product liability litigation. With nearly 20 years of experience, he represents automotive, consumer product and material handling manufacturers in cases involving catastrophic injury, wrongful death and substantial property damage. Neil has tried cases to verdict in state and federal courts in California, Minnesota, Texas and Arizona.
Neil has handled many types of automotive claims including unintended acceleration, crashworthiness, airbag (deploy and non-deploy), stability control, restraints, roof crush/rollover, tire defects and tire aging. His experience with software issues in the unintended acceleration cases is especially relevant to claims related to advanced driver assist and autonomous vehicle systems. He has tried to verdict several cases including a head-on collision and a wrongful death suit involving a forklift. Neil's extensive power tool experience includes representing saw manufacturers in litigation related to hand tools and saws, including claims based on lack of flesh detection technology. He has defended against a wide range of claims involving fire, electrocution, carbon monoxide poisoning, amputation, quadriplegia and brain damage.
One of Neil's strengths is working with consultants on preparing the technical defense of clients' products and disproving plaintiff claims. He understands the importance of learning how the product works and its design considerations which aids him in expert identification, trial testimony, and deposing plaintiff experts on subjects of fire cause and origin, statistics, electronics, corrosion, accident reconstruction, biomechanics, orthopaedics, and economics.
Neil managed a 164-person howitzer platoon in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany, giving him a valuable experience which serves him well as he watches out for clients' interests. An avid runner, Neil has completed three marathons, three 200 mile relays and countless road and trail races ranging from 10 - 50 kilometers.