Donna Welch > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > Chicago, United States > Lawyer Profile

Kirkland & Ellis LLP‘s Chicago office specializes in product liability and mass tort litigation, handling multidistrict litigations, class actions, defect investigations, and environmental claims. The firm frequently serves as national or regional counsel in matters involving substantial personal injuries or billion-dollar claims, and is highly experienced in litigation involving state attorneys general, with senior lawyers such as Lisa Madigan , former Illinois Attorney General. Known for their trial expertise, the firm has a strong track record in defending high-stakes cases involving complex technical and scientific issues, recently representing Abbott Laboratories in multidistrict litigation related to the 2022 recall of powdered infant formula. Litigation continues against non-settling entities alleging fraud, public nuisance, and misrepresentation in opioid marketing. A final notable client is pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, whom the firm represents in products liability litigation related to blockbuster medicines, Trulicity and Mounjaro, as well in putative class actions and related nationwide lawsuits challenging pricing practices by insulin manufacturers. Prominent attorneys of the practice include Renee Smith, who has won defense verdicts for major corporations like Dow Chemical and Juul Labs in federal MDLs and high-stakes mass torts, Donna Welch , recognized for her success in public nuisance and pharmaceutical litigation, and Hariklia Karis , noted for leading landmark trials, including the BP oil spill litigation and nationwide opioid MDLs. All lawyers mentioned are based in Chicago.

With a track record in product liability litigation and mass tort matters including multidistrict litigations and class actions, Kirkland & Ellis LLP is experienced in a full range of disputes and litigation, including bet-the-company disputes for pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies, as well as product liability and mass tort cases in state wide and nation wide matters. Lawyers, such as Chicago-based Lisa Madigan , are experienced in working with and litigating against state attorney generals, and Renee Smith, also in Chicago represents clients in high profile products liability, class action and commercial litigation matters. Also in Chicago, trial lawyer Donna Welch covers a broad practice including public nuisance claims, breach of fiduciary duty and pharmaceutical litigation, and also includes plaintiff side litigation. In Washington DC, Jennifer Levy  and Mike Brock are notable for their litigation coverage, with Levy focusing on mass torts, class actions, MDLs and consumer protection actions while Brock is recognized for his handling of bet the business litigation. Kristen Fournier joined the team in May 2025.

Renowned for its excellence in trial work, Kirkland & Ellis LLP has vast experience handling bet-the-company litigation for generic pharmaceutical and manufacturing companies involving complex technical and scientific issues. The practice serves as primary counsel on a wide range of product liability and mass tort matters, including multi-district litigations, class actions, defect/recall investigations, and appeals. Mike Brock is a seasoned litigator based in Washington DC specializing in representing pharma and life sciences companies in product liability and mass torts. In Chicago, trial lawyer Donna Welch spearheads the firm’s representation of Gilead in multiple matters regarding its Covid-19 antiviral drug Veklury – including product liability action related to alleged manufacturing negligence and class action regarding its marketing and promotion. The team saw significant expansion in January 2025 with the addition of Allison Brown, Jessica Davidson, Geoffrey Wyatt, Nina Rose, and Christopher Cox from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Kim Bueno joined the team in May 2025 from King & Spalding LLP.