Methodology

The Global Elite Thought Leaders are those individuals who received the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources this year. Our research has identified them as truly outstanding practitioners and the very best in their field.

Who’s Who Legal does not list law firms, only individual lawyers. The leading firms are those in each region whose listed practitioners received the most total nominations in our research.

EMEA

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Ina Brock - Hogan Lovells International LLP, Munich
• John Meltzer - Hogan Lovells International LLP, London
• Henning Moelle - Taylor Wessing – Frankfurt
• Ron Peleg - Meitar Law Offices, Ramat Gan
• Jacques-Antoine Robert - Simmons & Simmons, Paris
• Francesca Rolla - Hogan Lovells Studio Legale, Milan

Leading Firms

Hogan Lovells

John Meltzer is hailed as “the dean of the English products Bar” by sources who consider him to be a “leading lawyer in this area with decades of experience” as well as “a pleasure to work with”.
Francesca Rolla is an “excellent products lawyer” who is widely commended for her sterling track record representing clients in complex product liability claims.
Christian Di Mauro is a distinguished product liability expert whom observers highlight for his notable experience across the pharmaceutical and technology sectors.
Ina Brock is celebrated as “the dean of German products law” thanks to her immense experience handling complex cross-border litigation matters across the life sciences sector.

Arnold & Porter

Ian Dodds-Smith is a prominent figure in the market who focuses his top-notch practice on product liability and regulatory issues pertaining to the pharmaceutical and medical device sectors.
Adela Williams is a standout name thanks to her extensive experience representing clients in medical device and pharmaceutical product liability litigation.
Tom Fox is widely endorsed for his experience of major product liability defence proceedings arising from the pharmaceutical industry.

Kennedys

Trevor Davies is a “very impressive lawyer” who “knows product liability inside out and leads a brilliant team”.
Ben Aram enjoys a stellar reputation in the market as sources highlight him as “exceptionally clever and a strong tactician”.
Samantha Silver is “very experienced in the field of product liability litigation and not afraid to fight a case” comment sources, who add, “Samantha is superb with clients and experts.”

 

Other Leading Individuals

England

Shuna Mason of CMS stands out thanks to her remarkable expertise in product liability defence and deep knowledge of regulatory frameworks and cross-border proceedings.

At Henderson Chambers Toby Riley-Smith QC is “a brilliant barrister, who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of product liability law, and is very impressive on his feet, with a good command of the details”.

France

Jacques-Antoine Robert at Simmons & Simmons is an “extremely smart and experienced litigator” according to impressed peers who rate him as “the best” for disputes in the healthcare sector.

At Signature Litigation Thomas Rouhette is revered as “a leader in life sciences” and “one of the best lawyers in product liability”.

Germany

Henning Moelle of Taylor Wessing is acclaimed for his exceptional product liability defence work in relation to pharmaceutical and medical device products.

Noerr’s Michael Molitoris is highly recommended for his top-notch litigation practice which sees him regularly engaged in complex product liability cases.

Ireland

McCann FitzGerald’s Roddy Bourke excels in life sciences product liability litigation, with additional expertise in non-contentious matters, including advertising and product recalls.

Michaela Herron with Mason Hayes & Curran is “building a strong profile in this area” according to interviewees who consider her a “standout” for product liability litigation.

Israel

At Meitar Law Offices Ron Peleg is known as “’Mr Pharmaceutical Products Liability’ in Israel”, with impressed commentators opining that he “has become the absolute go-to lawyer in Israel” for such work.

Italy

At Dentons Sara Biglieri is a top-tier litigator with extensive experience representing clients in medical device and pharmaceutical product liability litigation.

Poland

Ewa Rutkowska at KRK Kieszkowska Rutkowska Kolasinski “is highly recommended and great to work with” effuse sources who regard her as “the person you want to see for life sciences litigation in Poland”.

 

North America

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Philip S Beck - Bartlit Beck LLP, Chicago
• John H Beisner - Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, Washington, DC.
• Sheila S Boston - Arnold & Porter, New York
• Mark S Cheffo - Dechert LLP, New York
• Charles W Cohen - Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, New York
• James C Fitzpatrick - Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP, New York
• Gordon McKee - Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, Toronto
• Mary M Thomson - Gowling WLG, Toronto

Leading Firms

Blake Cassels & Graydon

Gordon McKee is celebrated as the “best trial lawyer” in the products field by sources who cite his expert handling of large-scale litigation proceedings.
Catherine Beagan Flood is identified as a “master strategist” with “incredible knowledge of nationwide class action law”.
James Sullivan QC is a formidable litigator who is highlighted as “the best” by peers, who recognise his considerable experience of class action cases.

Sidley Austin

Heidi Levine is a leading light in the US product liability market, renowned for her sterling track record in high-stakes litigation including mass tort proceedings.
Debra Pole is a dedicated trial lawyer who offers clients outstanding expertise in product liability defence and class action proceedings.
Maja Eaton enjoys an outstanding reputation for her extensive experience coordinating high-profile product liability litigation.

King & Spalding

Donald Zimmer Jr is lauded as “very smart, accomplished and articulate” by peers who consider him a “terrific trial lawyer”.
Lana Varney is distinguished for her superb product liability defence work in relation to pharmaceutical and medical device products.
Chilton Davis Varner is a “veteran trial and appellate litigator” with significant experience working for clients across various industries including automotives and medical devices.

Tucker Ellis

Sherry Knutson is championed as “one of the best leaders in the national counsel role” by peers who consider her “truly one of the best out there!”
James Mizgala is a highly skilled litigator who has remarkable experience of product liability matters and an “amazing mind for science and expert issues”.
Mollie Benedict is a “very highly skilled trial lawyer”, compliment peers who cite her deep expertise in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation as key strengths of her practice.

Gordon & Rees

Michael Klatt is a key player thanks to his immense experience of individual and class action cases in product liability matters.
Dominic Campodonico is highly regarded in the product liability space, earning acclaim from sources who highlight him as a “first-rate trial lawyer”.
Jack McCowan Jr is a strong litigator who is commended for his top-notch advice to clients on matters including toxic torts and pharmaceutical liability.

 

Other Leading Individuals

Canada

Mary Thomson of Gowling WLG has three decades’ worth of experience in product liability defence, with an emphasis on representing clients in the medical devices and pharmaceutical industries.

At McMillan Scott Maidment is a prominent figure in the market who is highly experienced in major individual and class action cases relating to life sciences products.

Peter Pliszka of Fasken is recognised as a top name for complex product liability claims arising out of the medical devices, automotive and sports equipment sectors.

USA

At Hughes Hubbard & Reed Charles Cohen is “extremely capable at coordinating a global strategy”, applaud sources who recognise him as “a great litigation strategist” with “tremendous skills”. One observer states, “Charles is one of the best product liability lawyers that I have ever met.”
James Fitzpatrick is endorsed as “top notch” and a “wise and talented lawyer” by peers who rate him as “one of the best in the New York area to lead an international team”.

Mark Cheffo at Dechert is a “super brainy” lawyer who impresses peers thanks to his expert handling of complex product liability and mass tort litigation.
Sheila Birnbaum is a litigation specialist who gains widespread commendations for her incredible experience of insurance-related product liability matters.

Arnold & Porter’s Sheila Boston is “highly recommended” by sources who consider her “one of the most enthusiastic, energetic and skilled lawyers” in the field and a “true advocate for her clients”.

John Beisner at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom is “very smart and experienced” when it comes to managing class action proceedings against high-profile clients in various industries.

Bartlit Beck’s Philip Beck is a leading practitioner in the field who wins effusive praise from commentators for his outstanding expertise in mass tort litigation and class actions.

Tarek Ismail of Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum is heralded as an “amazing trial attorney” and “a star” with one source commenting, “He is one of the most brilliant lawyers I have ever met.”

At Wilkinson Stekloff, the “terrific” Beth Wilkinson enjoys a spectacular reputation in the market with sources describing her as “the best trial lawyer among the pharma bar”.

 

Asia Pacific

Global Elite Thought Leaders

• Colin Loveday - Clayton Utz, Sydney
• Greg Williams - Clayton Utz, Sydney

Leading Firms

Clayton Utz

Colin Loveday is a titan of the life sciences market who is highlighted as “top of the class for complex product liability matters” and “the leader of the best team in Australia”.
Greg Williams is regarded as a “greatly skilled and informative lawyer in this field of law” who is exceptionally strong in complex product liability proceedings.
Andrew Morrison ranks prominently for his leading product liability practice, earning widespread recognition for his remarkable track record defending class actions.
Ross McInnes is a formidable litigator who peers describe as “young, bright and energetic”. One source enthuses, “He is the top practitioner on the best team.”

 

Other Leading Individuals

Japan

Akihiro Hironaka with Nishimura & Asahi is endorsed as a “very smart litigator” who is well known among market commentators as the “chief lawyer on the biggest products liability matters in Japan”.

Singapore

Drew & Napier’s Benjamin Gaw is a first-class practitioner who expertly advises on complex issues that include product recalls, regulatory frameworks and product liability.

 

Latin America

Leading Individuals

Brazil

Sérgio Pinheiro Marçal of Pinheiro Neto Advogados is recognised as a “superb litigator with a lot of experience”. One source comments, “I would say that Sérgio Marçal is the most prominent life sciences lawyer in Brazil.”

At Inglez, Werneck, Ramos, Cury e Françolin Advogados (IWRCF) the “excellent” Renato Cury is a standout name thanks to her “terrific work in products and complex litigation”.

Camila Martino Parise at CMP Consultadoria Jurídica is “very well known in the life sciences space” thanks to her adept handling of complex product liability litigation arising from the pharmaceutical sector.

Colombia

At Lloreda Camacho & Co Christian Perez Rueda is a “great lawyer” and a “persuasive litigator” who is “excellent with clients and judges”.
The “absolutely fantastic” Gustavo Tamayo Arango is an “extremely smart and experienced litigator” who commentators highlight as “the top lawyer in Colombia”.