Weil, Gotshal & Manges

Tell us about your biggest trial win from January 2018 through June 2019 and how you achieved the result for your client. 

I'm serving as a lead trial counsel to [Johnson & Johnson] in the talc mass tort, which involves significant reputational stakes. Plaintiffs in these 15,000+ cases allege that exposure to asbestos in J&J's signature baby powder causes cancer. My biggest trial win was a unanimous defense verdict in October following four weeks of trial in New Jersey state court. This was a critical outcome because it helped turn the tide for J&J after it suffered a string of adverse verdicts. Key to this result was underscoring for the jury J&J's decades of extensive product testing upheld by independent/government authorities, and emphasizing how plaintiff's attorneys were manufacturing a case for money.

Share two trial tips that have been key to your success.

1) Be authentic and use homespun analogies and graphics to communicate themes and important points to the jury.

2) The truth should not take that long to tell: embrace simplicity and brevity in numbers of witnesses and exams.