Listeria outbreak draws Seattle lawyer to battle

Bill Marler's firm filed six lawsuits against Colorado grower Jensen Farms and a distributor following a listeria outbreak in cantaloupe that sickened over 100 people and killed at least 21—even before the CDC or FDA determined the outbreak's source. Critics contend his advocacy work isn't based on the best available science and mainly serves to benefit his law firm. Colleagues call him a dedicated attorney who knows the subject matter as well or better than anyone else. "A lot of people who don't know me very well see the workaholic, always traveling, the persona, but what I've tried to do with my job is to make it more of a vocation," he said. "I love what I do, and I believe in what I do." Client Linda Rivera, hospitalized for two years after E. coli from cookie dough, saw her husband contact three attorneys—the first two deferred upon learning Marler was also on the list. "These people gave up cases, money, because they knew he was the best," said Richard Rivera. "It wasn't about money. Bill gave me peace of mind to know I can take care of Linda. He's definitely leaving a legacy and having an impact on food safety."