William Marler

William "Bill" Marler (born c. May 3, 1957) is an American personal injury lawyer and food safety advocate.[1][2] He is the managing partner of Marler Clark, a law firm based in Seattle, Washington which specializes in foodborne illness cases.

William D. Marler
William Marler in 2009
EducationWashington State University (BA)
Seattle University Law School (JD)
OccupationAttorney
EmployerMarler Clark LLP
Websitewww.marlerclark.com

Background
See also: 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak

In 1993, Marler represented 9-year-old Brianne Kiner in litigation against Jack in the Box following an E. coli O157:H7 outbreak, securing a $15.6 million settlement.[3] He subsequently directed his practice toward foodborne illness, representing many more people affected by diseases such as E. coli, hepatitis A, and Salmonellosis. He has been involved in litigation relating to most of the large foodborne illness outbreaks in the United States, representing individuals against large companies such as Chili's, Kentucky Fried Chicken,[4] Dole, and ConAgra.[5]

Marler is also involved with OutBreak, a nonprofit organization under the auspices of Marler Clark. In this capacity he travels extensively, discussing foodborne illness litigation and related issues with public health groups, fair associations, and food industry groups.[6]

As a proponent of improved food regulation, Marler has been asked to speak to numerous groups to address the subject, including testimony to both the California State Senate Governmental Organization Committee[7] and the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce.[8]

Marler's involvement in the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak is detailed in author Jeff Benedict's book Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat. "Poisoned". Official website of Jeff Benedict. Retrieved May 30, 2021. The book has been adapted into

Marler is featured heavily in "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food" a documentary that builds upon the book "Poisoned" by Jeff Benedict. The documentary delves into the public and private influences that shape decisions regarding food safety in the United States. It traces the origins of foodborne illnesses, starting with the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak in 1992-1993 and continuing to the present day. The film is directed by Stephanie Soechtig and premiered at 2023 Tribeca Film Festival, and is set to be released on Netflix on August 2, 2023.[9]

In 2009, Marler founded Food Safety News to "fill a void" in food safety's media coverage. He is a regular contributor to the Food Poison Journal. In January 2016, The Daily Meal named him one of "America's 50 Most Powerful People in Food for 2016".[10] His professional blog was listed by the American Bar Association as one of the top 100 legal blogs.[11] And in The New Yorker piece "A Bug in the System", journalist Wil S. Hylton referred to Marler as "the most prominent and powerful food-safety attorney in the country."[12] According to Marler's own estimation he has won over $600 million in food safety judgements for his clients.[13]

A January 19, 2020 article in The Washington Post detailed Marler's fight for USDA regulations that would ban meat contaminated with certain Salmonella strains from being sold.[14]

Awards and distinctions
  • New Jersey Association of Justice's Gold Medal for Distinguished Journalism (2023)[15]
  • Seattle University Distinguished Law Graduate Award (2013)[16]
  • Seattle University Professional Achievement Award (2011)[17]
  • NSF Food Safety Leadership Award: Innovation in Education (2010)[18]
  • Public Justice Award, Washington State Trial Lawyer's Association (2008)[19]
  • Outstanding Lawyer Award, Seattle/King County Bar Association (2008)[20]
  • "Super Lawyer", Washington State Attorneys (1998–Present) [21]
  • Governor Appointee, Washington State University Board of Regents (1998-2004)[22]
  • Distinguished Achievement Award, WSU College of Liberal Arts (1997)[23]

Bibliography
External video
video icon "Conversations at KCTS9: Bill Marler". KCTS-TV interview dated February 2, 2012, in which Bill Marler talks about the 1993 Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak and his advocacy for food-safety laws.

Selected publications

References
  1. Martin, Andrew (December 6, 2007). "Meat Processors Look for Ways to Keep Ground Beef Safe". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  2. Crane, Misti (July 4, 2008). "E. coli etiquette". The Columbus Dispatch. Columbus OH. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  3. Elias, Paul (February 5, 2008). "Lawyer makes good money following bad food outbreaks". Oakland Tribune. San Jose. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2016 – via HighBeam Research.
  4. "Erie Couple is Suing KFC". Food Safety Network. Guelph, Ontario. January 28, 2003. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011 – via Wayback Machine.
  5. "Conagra Set For Mediation Over Illness From E. Coli". Food Safety Network. Guelph, Ontario. October 4, 2002. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011 – via Wayback Machine.
  6. Palmer, Sharon (June 2005). "Putting a Price Tag on Food Poisoning Fallout". Today's Dietitian. 7 (6): 30. Archived from the original on November 11, 2006 – via Wayback Machine.
  7. "Unraveling the E. Coli Outbreak: Are State Emergency Response Systems Prepared for Outbreaks of Food Borne Illnesses?". California State Senate. October 11, 2006. Archived from the original on May 2, 2009 – via Wayback Machine.
  8. "Written Testimony Before The Committee on Energy and Commerce" (PDF). United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. February 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 28, 2008 – via Wayback Machine.
  9. "Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food | 2023 Tribeca Festival". Tribeca. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  10. Andrews, Colman (January 27, 2016). "America's 50 Most Powerful People in Food for 2016". The Daily Meal. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  11. "The 9th Annual Blawg 100". American Bar Association. Chicago. December 1, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  12. Hylton, Wil S. (January 26, 2015). "A Bug in the System". The New Yorker. ISSN 0028-792X. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  13. Lorr, Benjamin (September 8, 2020). The Secret Life of Groceries: The Dark Miracle of the American Supermarket. Penguin Publishing Group. pp. 192–193. ISBN 9780553459418.
  14. Kindy, Kimberly (January 19, 2020). "He helped make burgers safer. Now he's fighting food poisoning again". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  15. News Desk (February 25, 2023). "Bill Marler and Food Safety News awarded gold medal for distinguished journalism". Food Safety News. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  16. "Alumni Awards : Seattle University School of Law : Seattle Washington". law.seattleu.edu. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  17. "Past Alumni Award Recipients - Alumni Awards - Events - Alumni - Seattle University". www.seattleu.edu. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  18. "NSF International Announces 2010 Food Safety Leadership Award Winners". Food Processing. Retrieved November 18, 2019.
  19. "Awards: Public Justice". Washington State Association for Justice. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  20. "Outstanding lawyer: William D. Marler". -King County Bar Association.
  21. "Attorney Profile: William D. Marler". Super Lawyers. October 10, 2013. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  22. "Locke announces selections for higher education posts". Office of Governor Gary Locke. December 18, 1997. Retrieved January 29, 2016.
  23. "Former Pullman Councilman Bill Marler confirmed as WSU Regent". Washington State University. February 12, 1998. Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved January 29, 2016 – via Wayback Machine.
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