Latham & Watkins

Gwyn Williams leads the firm’s product liability, mass torts, and consumer class actions litigation practice, drawing on nearly three decades of experience in a full range of courts.

Gwyn regularly defends clients in litigation related to:

• Consumer class actions
• Consumer protection statues
• Mass and toxic torts
• Product liability claims
• Personal injury / wrongful death claims
• Complex commercial disputes

Her clients include manufacturers of retail products (including cigarettes), industrial products, and a wide range of pharmaceuticals and medical devices, as well as financial services companies.

She has handled complex, multi-defendant, and class action cases in nearly every combination of venues, including state and federal trial and appellate courts and administrative agencies across the United States and Canada.

Gwyn also regularly advises private equity firms and operating companies on diligence and liability risk assessment in the context of corporate transactions (including asbestos-related risk). She draws on her litigation experience across industries to counsel clients on product warnings, risk management, disclaimers of warranties, and indemnification strategies.

Gwyn deftly helps clients navigate complex cases, often coordinating or collaborating with multi-defendant legal teams across jurisdictions. As clients pursue changing business objectives throughout the course of long-running litigation, Gwyn carefully calibrates litigation strategy and joint defense positions accordingly.

Leadership and Pro Bono

Gwyn serves on the global steering committee of Latham’s WEB initiative, and maintains an active pro bono practice, particularly focusing on juvenile justice and child welfare protection. Gwyn has been appointed as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and represents the Department of Children and Families in appeals before the Massachusetts Court of Appeals.

She frequently speaks at industry events and writes on issues relating to products liability and consumer class action defense, and issues relating to women in the legal profession. A Hotchkiss School alumna, she serves on the Board of Trustees and chairs the Board’s Development Committee.