Four Firms Seek Top Roles In Pa. Warehouse Fire Litigation

The class counsel hopefuls said that all were experienced at handling such matters and defining their roles would help to make the litigation run more efficiently.

Law360 (March 5, 2025) — Lawyers from four plaintiffs firms across the country have asked a Philadelphia judge to name them class counsel in recently filed litigation over the effects of an aircraft parts warehouse fire and also requested that the court consolidate all related lawsuits in the city.

Attorneys J. Gerard Stranch IV of Stranch Jennings & Garvey PLLC and Gary M. Klinger of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC asked to be appointed interim co-lead class counsel and Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman LLP and Patrick Howard of Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky PC sought to be named interim co-liaison counsel in recent filings for multiple lawsuits against SPS Technologies LLC.

The suits, filed late last month, accused SPS of not properly maintaining the Abington Township, Pennsylvania, warehouse, leading to a Feb. 17 explosion and dayslong fire that impacted residents, schools and businesses in the surrounding area.

As of publication time, SPS had yet to respond to the lawsuits with court filings of its own.

The class counsel hopefuls said in plaintiff Marlo Jones’ motion that all were experienced at handling such matters and defining their roles would help to make the litigation run more efficiently.

“Counsel have a proven track-record of success leading complex class action cases, including fire and explosion matters. Their experience will be valuable to the class in this case. Each attorney understands the time, energy, and skill necessary to lead this litigation and all have committed the resources required to ensure the effective and efficient representation of the class members,” said the motion made public Sunday.

The firms noted in their filing that they have the financial means to handle the cases, including the advancement of costs.

“Counsel have the resources to vigorously litigate this case. Between them, Mr. Stranch and SJG and Mr. Klinger and Milberg have a substantial team of lawyers, along with extensive support staff, who can dedicate time and resources to this matter. The firms are well capitalized and have years of experience prosecuting and self-funding complex class action litigation,” the motion said.

Combining all the lawsuits into one litigation would also increase efficiency, according to the plaintiffs’ motion to consolidate, since all of them allege damages stemming from the same incident.

Consolidation would help to reduce costs and eliminate duplicate efforts on the part of the court, the motion said.

The Jones suit claimed that “hundreds if not thousands” of people were affected by the effects of the blaze.

Jones, a schoolbus driver, alleged that school closures prompted by the fire forced her to miss work, causing her to lose pay. She also claimed her property value went down.

So far, five lawsuits have been filed against SPS in Philadelphia.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

SPS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Counsel information for SPS was not immediately available.

The plaintiffs are represented by J. Gerard Stranch IV of Stranch Jennings & Garvey PLLC, Gary M. Klinger of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman PLLC, Daniel C. Levin of Levin Sedran & Berman LLP, and Patrick Howard of Saltz Mongeluzzi & Bendesky PC.

The case is Jones v. SPS Technologies LLC, case number 250202834, in the The Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.