Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP is led by practice heads James C. Fitzpatrick and Charles Cohen and brings a strong cross-border and international dimension to complex product liability and mass tort litigation. Cohen represents clients in wrongful death claims involving immunotherapy medicines, including district court allegations centered on failure-to-warn theories. Cohen and Fitzpatrick jointly handle federal MDL litigation arising from vaccination claims, including allegations of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Primary Ovarian Insufficiency, as well as personal injury suits involving alleged severe side effects, including loss of fertility, depression, and suicide. Bill Beausoleil focuses on medical device litigation for blood centers, including claims alleging infection of volunteer donors during the AIDS crisis, alongside other personal injury matters. Kevin Braker brings experience in pharma product liability and class action litigation, including claims involving pet medicines. The team is based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Top lawyers in the pharma-product liability sphere. They manage cases worldwide, and are extremely knowledgeable and responsive.’
‘Very responsive, extremely knowledgeable, and very friendly. Deep knowledge of the industry.’
‘HHR is an exceptional law firm with very good people. I have the most exposure to Charles Cohen and James Fitzpatrick. Both are exceptional lawyers with not only deep knowledge of the subject matter areas but also incredible practicality and sound advice at every level. Both James and Charlie are elite lawyers with elite intelligence, and I feel very privileged to work with them. They are supremely dedicated to their craft and their clients. Most importantly, they are very good people. We can always use more people like that.’
'The HHR team has been involved in many of the highest-profile product liability mass tort litigations in the pharmaceutical space over the past 25 years. Their experience in these matters exceeds almost all other firms.'
'HHR was among the first firms to operate under a virtual law firm model in litigation. As a result, they are an excellent partner firm that "plays well in the sandbox" with everyone. In addition, they have tremendous experience in assisting with these litigations outside the U.S. They have strong relationships with firms all over the world and are able to adeptly navigate the varied legal systems around the world.’
‘James Fitzpatrick is without doubt one of the top lawyers in the world in the pharmaceutical science and expert space. He can quickly master any scientific matter, develop expertise, and effectively depose opposing experts. On top of all that, he is a wonderful and fantastic person.'
Key clients
- New York Blood Center, Inc.
- Merck Animal Health
- Merck & Co., Inc.
Work highlights
Defended Merck against allegations that its immunotherapy medicine Keytruda caused a patient’s death.
Represented Merck Animal Health in a putative nationwide class action concerning its most popular and successful product, Bravecto®.
Represented Merck in nationwide litigation involving two of its most important and successful vaccines: Gardasil and Gardasil-9, both of which provide protection against cervical cancer and multiple other human papillomavirus-related (HPV) illnesses.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Kevin Braker
Practice head
James C. Fitzpatrick; Charles Cohen
Other key lawyers
Bill Beausoleil; Kevin Braker