Practice Areas

SHB Practice Areas

Pharmaceutical & Medical Device

Shook, Hardy & Bacon has successfully defended pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in products liability and other high-stakes litigation for over 35 years. The firm’s unsurpassed track record in this arena dates back to the early 1970s, when Eli Lilly and Co. engaged SHB as regional counsel and later as national co-counsel in cases involving oral contraceptives and the DPT vaccine. Today, SHB represents more than 30 pharmaceutical and medical device parent companies and their subsidiaries in products liability, antitrust, employment, environmental, commercial, and intellectual property litigation. With more than 100 attorneys dedicated to the unique needs and challenges of this industry, SHB has cultivated a reputation for dynamic, cost-effective solutions built on decades of experience.

The SHB Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Practice has handled cases in every state and the District of Columbia, as well as in federal courts across the country. SHB attorneys possess the expertise to develop and execute sophisticated defense strategies, efficiently oversee the day-to-day management of individual or multiple matters, and go to trial when necessary. In addition, they have access to over 125 research analysts with advanced degrees in multiple scientific disciplines and state-of-the-art support services. Their work with the SHB Public Policy Practice has also shaped the law on many cutting-edge legal issues, including those related to market share, pricing and third-generation liability. As a result, Global Counsel’s Life Sciences Industry Report has said that SHB is “universally acknowledged as having the premier U.S. industry practice in this area” with “almost unrivaled experience in drug and device issues.”

Practice Area Contact

Harvey L. Kaplan 816-559-2214

Related Practice Areas

Class Actions & Complex Litigation
eDiscovery, Data & Document Management
Global Product Liability
International Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Public Policy

Drug & Device Bulletin

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The latest industry news, legal actions and regulations affecting international and domestic markets.

Product Liability Litigation Report

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Analysis of the latest legal trends; legislative and regulatory changes; and activist campaigns.

Downloads

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Areas of Expertise/Representative Cases

The SHB Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Practice has served as national or regional counsel in products liability litigation over the past three decades. SHB attorneys have defended clients in legal actions involving acne drugs, anesthesia drugs, antiarrhythmic drugs, antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotic drugs, antiseizure drugs, blood and plasma products, blood glucose monitors, bone screws, contraceptive diaphragms, contraceptive sponges, defibrillators, heart valve, hepatitis vaccines, implantable contraceptives, injectable progesterone, latex gloves, ophthalmic products, over-the-counter medications, pacemakers, prostaglandins, snakebite antivenom, surgical instruments, and surgical sutures.   ...  

Publications

Harvey L. Kaplan (Contributing Editor), Global Overview, Getting the Deal Through: Product Liability in 36 Jurisdictions Worldwide, Law Business Research Ltd., 2009 View

Harvey L. Kaplan & John C. Vaglio, Country Q&A United States, PLC Cross-border Life Sciences Handbook 2008/09 View

Harvey L. Kaplan & Jon A. Strongman, Preemption and the Learned Intermediary Doctrine, Who’s Who Legal: The International Who’s Who of Product Liability Defence Lawyers 2009 View   ...  

Speeches & Presentations

Harley Ratliff, Moderator, "Working with Experts 101 - The Do’s and Don’ts Every Young Lawyer Should Know," ABA Section of Litigation Joint CLE Conference; Vail, Colorado (Jan. 23, 2009) View

Madeleine McDonough, "Clinical Trials Registries and Results Databases: Complying with FDAAA and Varying State Laws," American Conference Institute's 10th National Conference on Managing Legal Risks in Structuring & Conducting Clinical Trials; Boston, Mass. (Sept. 2008)

Madeleine McDonough, "Setting Up Your Systems: E-Discovery/Risk Management and Preservation Obligations," BNA Conference on E-Discovery for the Enterprise: Preparing Your Corporate Clients for the Realities of the Post Rules Amendment World; Arlington, Va. (Sept. 2008)   ...  

Attorneys in Pharmaceutical & Medical Device