Champagne Remark May Cost Lawyer $289 Million Bayer Award

Impassioned attorney told jury it could be ‘part of history’
California judge weighs slashing verdict or ordering new trial

Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide. — Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide.
Photographer: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg

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By Joel Rosenblatt

October 11, 2018 at 4:00 AM UTC

Updated on

October 12, 2018 at 5:15 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

The lawyer most responsible for winning a $289 million verdict against Bayer AG may end up wiping it out.

Brent Wisner was the lead trial attorney who in August convinced a jury that Monsanto Co.’s Roundup weed killer caused his client’s cancer. His compelling arguments and marshaling of evidence resulted in a blockbuster verdict that has spooked investors looking ahead to thousands of similar lawsuits across the U.S. pending against Monsanto, which Bayer acquired in June.