Ayodeji Ayolola

Senior Counsel

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Ayodeji has more than seven years of experience defending asbestos, talc, and silica exposure matters in toxic tort litigation. Clients facing high-stakes claims turn to him for practical, defense-focused strategy. He represents manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and other businesses in claims involving alleged toxic injury and site contamination; with an approach grounded in early issue-spotting, disciplined discovery, and deposition-ready execution. He develops creative approaches to complex issues to obtain the best result for his clients, whether that means a reduced settlement, a successful dispositive motion, or a defense verdict.

Asbestos, Talc, and Silica Defense Litigation

Ayodeji focuses on large, multi-party defense matters involving alleged asbestos exposure, talc-related asbestos claims, and silica litigation, including secondary and household exposure allegations. He represents clients across consumer products, luxury goods, technology, chemicals and petrochemicals, heavy equipment, construction, environmental remediation, and related industries. Ayodeji builds defensible case narratives by narrowing issues, aligning internal stakeholders, and developing clean themes that translate from written discovery through trial preparation.

Ayodeji works across all phases of litigation, including responsive pleadings, written discovery, document-intensive reviews, expert witness development, dispositive motion practice, settlement negotiations, and mediation. He prioritizes depositions and trial preparation, focusing on preparing witnesses, building a strong record, and conducting strategic examinations that support core defenses. His practice also includes advising on environmental and regulatory disputes, including matters involving alleged emissions and contamination.

Before joining GRSM, Ayodeji gained a strategic, global perspective through several years of toxic tort defense practice in Nigeria, where he coordinated and defended cases from filing through resolution in both state and federal courts. He also served as a Law Professor at the Nigerian Law School for five years, teaching corporate litigation, shareholder disputes, securities litigation, commercial contract disputes, M&A litigation, and corporate governance. He previously served as a judicial extern to the Hon. Martin J. Jenkins (Ret.) at the Supreme Court of California.

Defended national telecommunications company in wrongful death mesothelioma case alleging occupational exposure from switchboard operations, with claims valued at $10 million.
Defended multinational consumer products company in suit alleging continuous talc use involving negligence and strict liability claims.
Defended global cosmetics manufacturer in high-stakes talc litigation where plaintiffs allege lifetime use of cosmetic talc products, seek damages exceeding $15 million, and assert strict products liability, failure to warn, and punitive damages.
Defended multinational personal care company in wrongful death action alleging talc and asbestos exposure across multiple jurisdictions, with plaintiffs seeking damages exceeding $20 million.
Defended beauty products brand in litigation alleging dual-role exposure from personal use and application of talc-containing products on clients.
Lead motion practice in mesothelioma case alleging exclusive cosmetic talc exposure and no alternative sources, with claimed damages in excess of $15 million.
Advised industrial company and landowner on sediment contamination at Portland Harbor Superfund Site in Oregon.
Represented international oil and gas company in legal challenges to California’s de facto ban on well stimulation treatment operations.

Admissions

California
Nigeria
California Superior Court
U.S. District Court, Northern, Southern and Central Districts of California
Supreme Court of Nigeria

Memberships

State Bar of California
Association of Defense Counsel of Northern California and Nevada
Defense Research Institute
Los Angeles County Bar Association
California Lawyers Association
Nigerian Bar Association

Education

LL.M., University of California, Los Angeles, 2024
LL.B., University of Ibadan, 2018

Honors

Equal Justice America Fellow, 2024