The 95% Rule: What the J&J Talc Settlement Reveals About Mass Litigation
On July 27, 2026, Johnson & Johnson announced a $5.5 billion deal to resolve roughly 76,000 lawsuits alleging its talc products caused ovarian cancer. This is the fourth attempt at resolution. The deal isn’t final and hinges on at least 95% of eligible claimants signing on. The talc claims were never certified as a class […]
A Hot Topic – Being Smart About Playing Sports in the Heat
Planning Is the Key to Preventing Heat-Related Injuries When I first wrote about heat-related sports injuries in 2015, I began by noting that July 2015 had been the warmest month ever recorded globally and that nine of the ten warmest months on record had occurred since 2005. At the time, those statistics were startling. Today, […]
Nearly 50 Years in the Trenches with Marc Weingarten
Before there was an asbestos litigation practice at 1500 Walnut Street, there were hearing-loss cases. Gene Locks was representing Philadelphia Naval Shipyard workers in hearing loss federal compensation claims when he noticed they kept telling him that they had an unusual lung disease that he learned was called asbestosis. That front-row seat to the pattern […]
Summer Interns: Building Skills for Future Lawyers
Every summer, a new group of interns joins Locks Law, expecting to learn about the law. They are eager to learn from the entire team, from paralegals to partners. They sit in on depositions and research experts. Quickly, each one discovers just how much happens before anyone ever says, “Your Honor.” This year’s class comes […]
New Jersey Moves to Give Trafficking Survivors the Time They Deserve
Francesca Iacovangelo, Locks Law Firm Much of my work at Locks Law Firm is about giving voice to victims, so for someone who comes to work every day to defend victims’ rights, it was gratifying to see New Jersey Senate Bill 1270 pass the Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously. The bill, which would substantially extend the […]
Chelsea Tank Farm – Massive Gasoline Leak
Berger Montague and Locks Law Firm File Class Action for Residents Affected by Massive Gasoline Leak at Aston, Pa. Chelsea Tank Farm The Complaint alleges that Monroe Energy, LLC and MIPC, LLC concealed a months-long leak that released approximately 378,000 gallons of gasoline into a Delaware County neighborhood, contaminating soil, groundwater, drinking water, and indoor […]
Chris Johnson’s ALS Diagnosis Is a Heartbreaking Reminder of Football’s Hidden Costs
Throughout my career, the core of my work has been helping people in need, often those suffering medical repercussions from their work, whether from asbestos exposure, benzene, or years spent playing in the NFL. In an emotional interview on “Good Morning America,” former NFL running back Chris Johnson revealed that he was diagnosed last year […]
Understanding the Long-Term Effects of Chemical Exposure on Mechanics
Mechanics are the backbone of the automotive industry. Day in and day out, you keep the world moving, tuning engines, fixing brakes, and ensuring the safety of millions of drivers. However, the very environment that allows you to master your craft is often a silent battlefield. While the immediate physical risks of the garage, such […]
Which Jobs Have the Highest Risk of Benzene Exposure?
Benzene is a colorless, highly flammable chemical widely used in industrial processes and found in products such as gasoline, plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers. While it plays an important role in manufacturing and energy production, benzene is also a known carcinogen. Prolonged or repeated exposure has been linked to serious health conditions, including certain types […]
Locks Law Firm Welcomes Accomplished Attorney Mark J. Metzler
Locks Law Firm is proud to announce the addition of associate attorney Mark J. Metzler. Metzler brings a unique blend of talent to Locks Law firm. In addition to his legal degree, Metzler earned a CPA designation and spent four years working at the intersection of science, public health, and law. He achieved honors in […]
Environmental Toxins – a Constant Evolution
Environmental hazards are often invisible—but their consequences can be devastating. At Locks Law Firm, we have spent decades representing individuals harmed by toxic exposure, from our historic role in asbestos litigation to our current leadership in benzene cases. Time and again, these cases reveal the same pattern: harmful substances, delayed accountability, and people left to […]
Jill Galzarano
Jill Galzarano has been with Locks Law for more than 30 years, joining the firm fresh out of college. She began her career as a paralegal, later became office manager, and eventually assumed responsibility for overseeing operations on mass tort cases—an essential role given the volume, complexity, and long-term nature of these matters. Reflecting on […]