Our Team

Jake Plattenberger is a partner at TorHoerman Law and one of the country’s leading plaintiff’s trial lawyers.

His practice is dedicated entirely to trying complex cases in front of juries, with a focus on product liability, toxic exposures, and catastrophic personal injury.

Over the course of his career, Jake has tried more than 40 cases to verdict, including some of the most complex and hard-fought cases in the plaintiffs’ bar.

Jake has tried cases to juries in multiple states and in both state and federal court.

He is frequently called upon by other law firms to try their cases, a reflection of his reputation as one of the best trial lawyers in the nation.

His courtroom work involves high-stakes litigation against Fortune 100 corporations, requiring mastery of complex science, expert testimony, and cutting-edge trial strategy.

A dedicated student of neuroscience, persuasion, and jury psychology, Jake frequently lectures on trial advocacy and integrates advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, into his preparation and presentations.

Jake’s verdicts have set precedents and drawn national recognition:

• $495 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories, Inc. for preterm infant formula contributing to necrotizing enterocolitis, including $400 million in punitive damages. This was the #1 plaintiff’s verdict in 2024 according to Courtroom View Network and Missouri Lawyers Media.
• $25 million verdict against a pool manufacturer for the wrongful death of a toddler caused by a defectively designed pool.
• $4.4 million verdict against food flavoring manufacturer in Ohio., marking the first plaintiff’s verdict in Ohio under the “knowing exposure to a harmful substance” exception to the workers’ compensation bar.
• $2 million verdict against chemical manufacturer for failure to warn about the dangers of diacetyl.
• $2.6 million verdict in conservative Orange County, California, for a workplace injury case.

His leadership extends beyond the courtroom.

Jake has been appointed to leadership positions in both multidistrict litigation (MDL) and state court consolidations, including service on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee in the In re Incretin Mimetics MDL and as co-chair of the Science Committee in the California In re Juul E-Cigarette JCCP.

Jake’s work has earned extensive media coverage.

He has been featured on NBC’s Nightly News with Lester Holt and quoted in outlets including the New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Reuters, and Bloomberg.

He has also been interviewed on multiple podcasts to discuss his verdicts, trial strategy, and the future of courtroom advocacy.

In recognition of his work, Jake received the Excellence in Trial Award from the Mass Torts Made Perfect Conference in 2024 and was named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers in 2025.

He has been recognized as a Super Lawyer since 2019.

• Baby Formula NEC Lawsuit – $495 million verdict against Abbott Laboratories, Inc. for preterm infant formula contributing to necrotizing enterocolitis, including $400 million in punitive damages. This was the #1 plaintiff’s verdict in 2024 according to Courtroom View Network and Missouri Lawyers Media.
• Incretin Mimetics – Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 13MD2452 AJB (MDD). Appointed to the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee by Judge Battaglia in the MDL. The case is pending.
• JUUL E-Cigarettes – Products Liability Litigation, JCCP No. 5052. Appointed to the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee by Judge Anne Jones in the JCCP. The case is pending.
• Diacetyl – Leads the Diacetyl litigation for TorHoerman Law. Previous settlements and verdicts have exceeded $5,000,000 to date. Litigation is currently ongoing.
• Actos Related Cases, MDL Case No. 11 L 10011, Et. Al. – Actively participated in managing the case for TorHoerman Law which resulted in a $2.4 billion settlement.
• Gadolinium-based Contrast Agents Litigation Case No. 279 and Products Liability Litigation MDL No. 1909 – Managed the cases for TorHoerman Law which resulted in a large, confidential settlement.
• Bus Accident – Handled a bus accident injury case in which an individual was thrown from a seat. Resulted in a $850,000 settlement.
• Auto Accident – Handled an auto accident injury case that resulted in a $650,000 settlement.
• Slip and Fall – Handled a slip and fall accident that occurred on a sightseeing boat in Chicago. Resulted in a $490,000 settlement.