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“The National Counsel program that Husch Blackwell has set up for our matters has taken many worries off of my mind. I never have to worry about a deadline, and I don’t worry about fees. Especially with respect to my asbestos and other toxic tort cases, I cannot imagine going to anyone else.”

Molly M. Jones, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Litigation, Bayer U.S.

Overview

J.Y. is a proven leader in designing business solutions to combat the challenges unique to mass tort litigation.

J.Y. is the leader of the award-winning Innovāt Alliance national asbestos defense team that unites 100+ high-performing professionals to defend thousands of cases pending in 35+ states. He serves as national coordinating counsel for high-profile clients with large portfolios of national toxic tort litigation.

The unique business model J.Y. pioneered has been recognized with both an ACC Value Champion Award and a CLOC Innovation Award for the results the Alliance Team achieved for its clients. The Alliance business model leverages novel technology and innovative business methods to provide clients cost certainty and manage risk.

His deep understanding of scientific, medical, and state-of-the art issues enables J.Y. to construct and present comprehensive and compelling defenses to personal injury cases involving exposure to asbestos, benzene, and solvents. He has also defended product liability claims involving industrial tools, construction equipment, and consumer products throughout his 20+ year career.

J.Y. serves on the Firm’s Executive Board and is also the Managing Partner of Husch Blackwell's virtual office, The Link.

Before joining the Firm, J.Y. served five years on active duty in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. As a prosecutor and, later, as criminal defense counsel, J.Y. developed his trial advocacy and leadership skills while stationed in Texas, Saudi Arabia, Georgia, and Bosnia.

“The National Counsel program that Husch Blackwell has set up for our matters has taken many worries off of my mind. I never have to worry about a deadline, and I don’t worry about fees. Especially with respect to my asbestos and other toxic tort cases, I cannot imagine going to anyone else.”

Molly M. Jones, Senior Assistant General Counsel, Litigation, Bayer U.S.

Industry

Services

Recognition

  • Acritas Star, 2021
  • Association of Corporate Counsel, Value Champion, 2018
  • Award for Excellence in Advocacy at the U.S. Army JAG Corps Criminal Law Advocacy Course
  • The Best Lawyers in America©, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2021-2024; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023 and 2024
  • BTI Consulting Group's BTI Client Service All-Star Award, 2011
  • Chambers USA, Product Liability: Toxic Torts, Nationwide, 2023
  • The Legal 500 United States, Recommended Attorney, 2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent
  • Missouri Lawyers Media, Diversity & Inclusion Award, 2020
  • Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer, 2022, 2023
  • TIM Initiative Award, Ms. JD, 2020

Education

  • J.D., University of Missouri School of Law
  • B.S., University of Tennessee at Martin
    • summa cum laude

Admissions

  • Missouri

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • Defense Research Institute
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
  • The Missouri Bar
  • Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers


*Contact J.Y. to set up an in-person consultation by appointment in the St. Louis office.
Experience
  • Led and managed all aspects of national toxic tort litigation defense team and designed and coordinated defense in hundreds of active asbestos lawsuits for several Fortune 500 companies in some of the toughest and most plaintiff-friendly jurisdictions in the country.
  • Defended against alleged workplace injuries/diseases and alleged injuries/diseases from manufactured products for oil-refining companies, chemical manufacturers, an aluminum sheet manufacturer, a building products manufacturer, a tool and equipment manufacturer, a shoe manufacturer and paints and coatings manufacturers.
  • Implemented national strategy to build comprehensive good company story and present defense in product litigation in numerous jurisdictions.
  • Defended more than 50 benzene/solvent cases around the country alleging various malignancies.
  • Performed independent investigation of products allegedly at issue in fires that caused major damages to commercial businesses. Claims defeated before lawsuits filed.
  • Lead counsel in personal injury action alleging significant pulmonary injuries caused by exposure to cleaning chemicals.
  • Obtained significant settlement as lead plaintiff’s counsel in complex dispute involving contract, property and negligence claims concerning highly technical geotechnical, materials science and structural engineering concepts.
  • Prepared and defended corporate representatives in depositions involving company’s products at issue in national litigation.
  • Worked closely with expert toxicologist to develop testimony to combat attacks on company’s paint and coatings products with favorable results.
  • Prepared high-profile asbestos case for trial and developed client’s corporate representative, expert industrial hygienist and expert materials science engineer for deposition and trial.
  • Prepared significant solvent exposure cancer case for trial, including development of key experts and fact witnesses.
  • Led large joint defense group of oil and chemical companies in significant solvent/benzene exposure case.
News Releases | May 28, 2020
Husch Blackwell Named CLOC's Inaugural Legal Innovation in Operations Project Award Winner

Husch Blackwell is believed to be the only law firm to date to be recognized by both the CLOC LIO Project and ACC Value Champion award series for its ability to implement legal solutions that cut spending, improve predictability and achieve better outcomes.

News Releases | February 06, 2020
J.Y. Miller Honored for Support of Women's Advancement in Legal Field

The TIM Initiative Award is presented to a man who is an active champion for women’s advancement in the legal profession.

Outside the Office

J.Y. lives life to the fullest with a love for his family, the outdoors, sports, cooking and fine wine.

He enjoys all things outdoors, especially fishing and camping with his two boys. J.Y. is an avid sports fan, especially of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Missouri Tigers.

At home, he likes to experiment in the kitchen, on the grill and with the smoker. He and his wife enjoy traveling to wine regions and visiting with the owners and makers of boutique wineries.

Community Leadership

Giving children a positive experience through sports is a passion for J.Y.

One of J.Y.'s favorite things is coaching kids, particularly in baseball. As director for the sports baseball and softball programs in his parish, he coaches and coordinates schedules for over 120 kids—and gets to coach his two boys on those teams. J.Y. played baseball and football (and chess) in high school and also played baseball at the University of Tennessee–Martin, so he knows the importance sports can have in a young person's life.

  • National Eagle Scout Association
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars
Military Leadership

Being in the military took J.Y.'s leadership skills to the next level and taught him to have purpose in everything he does.

Among the many lessons J.Y. learned in the military were how to lead, manage people and build strong teams. He believes his military experiences have been influential in shaping his law practice. As an attorney, his purpose is to help defend his clients so that they can concentrate on their primary mission and contribute to society. He directs and manages large teams of lawyers and prepares litigation cases as the military trained him—always with servant leadership and a sense of purpose.