Dechert LLP has secured favorable outcomes for pharma and medical device clients in appellate, federal, and state courts, handling complex multi-district and state-court product liability litigations. Notably, the firm has achieved significant victories through persuasive dispositive motions, often reducing or eliminating plaintiff pools. The product liability and mass torts practice is co-chaired by Los Angeles’ Jay Bhimani, an experienced trial lawyer, including in high-stakes bellwether cases. New York-based co-chair Douglas E. Fleming III’s extensive litigation experience includes examining and preparing witnesses for deposition, Daubert hearings, and trial and legislative testimony. New York-based Mark Cheffo, who co-chairs the global litigation practice, leads complex, high-profile pharma litigations, managing all stages from negotiation, through pre-trial proceedings to trial. Cheffo has been a key figure in the firm’s representation of GlaxoSmithKline as lead national counsel in the Zantac mass tort litigation. Also in New York, special counsel Sheila L. Birnbaum has vast experience representing leading pharma companies in complex product liability and mass torts litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
- Profile
- Social
Key clients
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Haleon
Work highlights
- Representing GSK as lead national counsel in multidistrict and state-court mass tort litigation concerning allegations that the heartburn medication Zantac causes cancer due to NDMA formation.
- Represented Haleon in a class action in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, where plaintiffs alleged that Robitussin's labeling misled consumers about differences between children's and adult products, despite identical formulations.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Jay Bhimani; Mark Cheffo; Douglas Fleming
Other key lawyers
Sheila Birnbaum; Will Sachse; Hayden Coleman