United States • Dispute resolution
2

Product liability, mass tort and class action - defense: pharmaceuticals and medical devices

Venable LLP

More information
Venable LLP is recognized for its ‘broad, deeply experienced’ pharma and medical device product liability team, with attorneys serving as lead counsel for manufacturers in federal MDLs and statewide coordinated proceedings. The team has also defended clients against international mass tort claims, while similarly representing them in nationwide consumer class actions, frequently defeating class certification in federal courts. The practice is led by Baltimore-based Kathleen Hardway – who is ’very skilled in the scientific and medical aspects of pharmaceutical litigation, particularly offensive and defensive expert work’ – and Jason Rose, who currently serves as deputy co-national counsel to Takeda in litigation related to its proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) medications. 2024 saw the team expanding with the addition of three experienced litigators from Steptoe LLP – Jeremy Goldkind and Derek Smith in Chicago, and Joo Cha Webb in Los Angeles.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Venable's capacity to explain the legal process to stakeholders, present pros and cons on any action and share clear visibility of next steps is valued.'

  • ‘Venable has a broad, deeply experienced pharma product liability/mass torts team. They have played all roles (overall national counsel, trial counsel, science/expert counsel, briefing counsel) in major pharma cases over the past few decades.’

  • ‘Craig Thompson is a top-notch trial lawyer. Kathleen Hardway and Michael Hecht are both very skilled in the scientific and medical aspects of pharmaceutical litigation, particularly offensive and defensive expert work.’

Key clients

  • Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A, Inc.
  • Merck & Co., Inc.
  • Laboratory Corporation of America
  • Venator Corporation

Lawyers

Practice head

Kathleen Hardway; Jason Rose

Other key lawyers

Craig Thompson; Jeremy Goldkind; Derek Smith; Joo Cha Webb