Mark Jones > Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP > Columbia, United States > Lawyer Profile

Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP is increasingly well-positioned to handle both individual and class action claims, irrespective of location and industry sector. The firm’s expanding team offers first-chair trial credentials and is noted for its trial-ready approach that is appreciated by clients and frequently sees the firm securing roles as national trial counsel in relation to product liability matters across a wide array of consumer products. Best-known for her automotive product liability skills, Richmond-based trial lawyer Sandra Ezell, who joined the firm in January 2022 from Bowman and Brooke LLP, is also accomplished at trying consumer electronics-related cases. The team is co-headed by Mark Jones  and Alana Bassin from South Carolina and Minneapolis, respectively.

Housed within its overarching product liability practice group, South Carolina-headquartered firm Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP regularly acts as local and regional counsel, as well as being increasingly well-positioned to act as national counsel, on behalf of clients seeking to defend themselves from consolidated claims alleging a wide range of toxic tort infractions. As well as continuing to handle asbestos-related claims associated with talc products, the firm has also handled some newer torts including as it relates to contamination claims relating to forever chemicals. As two of the most experienced trial lawyers at the firm, Mike Brown and David Dukes  have had considerable success over the years in relation to toxic tort mandates, particularly within the pharmaceuticals space. In Los Angeles, Jahmy Graham  is also gaining some visibility in the space, particularly by dint of his pro bono representation of a public interest objector to a $641m settlement relating to residents’ exposure to lead in drinking water in Flint, Michigan. South Carolina-based Mark Jones and Minneapolis office head Alana Bassin co-head the team.

Noted, in particular, for its trial ready approach, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP has a long and distinguished track record defending pharma and medical device companies in product liability litigation in courts all over the country. This capability has been further enhanced in recent years by some high-profile trial lawyers joining the firm’s ever expanding geographical footprint, thereby affording it the critical mass to handle a plethora of ongoing cases irrespective of location. South Carolina-based partner David Dukes is one of the “old guard” at the firm and remains a popular choice among clients in the sector as a result of his advocacy skills and aptitude at explaining complex scientific issues to lay jurors. Richard North in Atlanta and Baltimore-based Mike Brown are also seasoned litigators, with both regularly achieving success in bellwether trials throughout the country. Molly Jean Given is an experienced product liability litigator and has ‘broad experience in medical device products defense’. South Carolina-based partner Mark Jones heads the team.

A raft of lateral hires over recent years, including the recruitment of over 50 partners from product liability heavyweight firm Bowman and Brooke LLP (a number of which have a considerable focus on matters within the automotive space) has raised Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP‘s profile in the market and has already translated into an increased number of mandates in the space. Richmond-based Sandra Ezell is one of the new members of the team who has leveraged her contacts and expertise in the space to good effect. She is leading the firm’s efforts on behalf of numerous high-profile auto manufacturers, including Nissan, who she represents as national trial counsel in relation to several product defect cases. Also based in Richmond, Rob Wise is another new member of the team, having joined in January 2022 alongside Ezell, and brings significant litigation expertise, including at an appellate level. South Carolina-based Mark Jones  co-heads the overarching product liability group alongside Ezell that also includes renowned Washington DC-based litigator Terri Reiskin , who has extensive experience leading on high-profile MDLs in the automotive sector, and Atlanta-based Richard North, who has experience at handing aviation/helicopter-related matters.