Based in Washington DC, the team at Williams & Connolly LLP handles complex disputes involving drug and medical device products, with a focus on MDLs, coordinated proceedings, and high-stakes trial work. Heidi Hubbard and Joseph Petrosinelli jointly lead the practice. Hubbard serves as trial and national counsel in MDLs and individual actions, including matters alleging inadequate warnings of permanent hair loss associated with chemotherapy drugs and claims involving medications alleged to cause lung conditions. Petrosinelli focuses on product liability litigation involving prescription and over-the-counter medications, including MDLs alleging links between drugs and various cancers, hormonal therapies, and meningiomas, as well as claims involving sickle cell disease treatments. Neelum Wadhwani supports the team’s work in nationwide opioid litigation and has experience negotiating large-scale settlements.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Strong trial lawyers’
‘Joseph Petrosinelli is probably the best lawyer in this space in the country.’
Key clients
- Pfizer, Inc.
- Merck, Sharp & Dohme Corp.
- Cardinal Health
Work highlights
Secured a series of victories on behalf of Pfizer in the product liability litigation concerning the antacid medication Zantac.
Served as national counsel for Hospira in an MDL where plaintiffs claimed inadequate warnings about the risk of permanent hair loss from Docetaxel, achieving back-to-back summary judgment wins in bellwether cases and a Fifth Circuit victory on a key federal preemption issue, further supported by a trial court ruling.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Heidi Hubbard; Joseph Petrosinelli
Other key lawyers
Neelum Wadhwani