Jennifer M. Stevenson

Jennifer is the national co-chair of Shook’s Complex Litigation Strategic Counseling Group. Her practice is primarily dedicated to defending companies in complex product liability and class action litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country. She has represented manufacturers of a wide variety of products, including prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotives, personal care products, consumer goods and chemicals.

A gifted strategist who sees the big picture, she has led litigation teams in both multidistrict litigation and individual cases. Jennifer’s substantive experience includes overseeing all aspects of mass litigation, from initial coordination, foundational discovery and case management orders, and pleading responses, through fact and expert discovery and motion practice, to bellwether selection and pretrial filings. She has also managed lawyers from multiple firms in a virtual law firm setting. 

Jennifer’s significant litigation successes include pioneering the motion to dismiss and show cause strategy in the In re Zofran (Ondansetron) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2657. She successfully argued numerous motions as part of this strategy, including on novel innovator liability issues, leading to the dismissal of more than 40% of the pending cases. Jennifer was also part of the team that drafted the motion for summary judgment on federal preemption grounds, which resulted in the dismissal of all remaining MDL cases. In addition, Jennifer has developed and implemented an early motion strategy in cases pending in state and federal jurisdictions, securing their dismissal before any discovery occurs. 

Jennifer also advises clients on strategies to best minimize litigation risk, if not avoid litigation altogether. This includes conducting in-depth risk assessments on a variety of products and issues and negotiating favorable resolutions prior to filing. 

Dedicated to pro bono service, Jennifer has represented families in adoption and guardianship proceedings throughout her career. She also serves on the board of directors for Kansas Legal Services, a non-profit law firm that provides equal access to justice for vulnerable Kansans, and previously served as board president. 

Mentoring is important to Jennifer. She mentors numerous associates and serves on the firm’s Associates Committee.