Shook Lands Trio of Leading Litigation Lawyers

Shook, Hardy & Bacon announces the addition of three attorneys from Sedgwick LLP, including the former firm chair Michael Healy. The attorneys will join Shook’s product liability litigation, business litigation and class action teams, serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors.

“This group is a perfect fit for our clients and our firm, both strategically and personally. We have known Mike and his colleagues for many years and look forward to collaborating with them on behalf of clients in product liability, commercial litigation, and coordinated mass actions,” said Shook Chair Madeleine McDonough. “We are growing, and this latest addition augments other key strategic lateral partner additions in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Houston over the last few months.”

Healy said, “We’ve considered a number of opportunities for our next chapter but we were attracted to Shook’s reputation in product liability and preeminent trial results advocating for some of the largest companies in the world. I’ve been impressed by Shook’s sophisticated and innovative defense strategies and results in many litigations where we have crossed paths over the years. We’re pleased to be joining one of the premier law firms in the world.”

The new attorneys include:

Michael F. Healy has successfully tried cases to verdict throughout the country. He has served as national, regional and state counsel in complex litigation matters, including federal and state class actions, multidistrict litigation and coordinated proceedings in state courts. He is the former chair of Sedgwick law firm its life sciences practice group.

Wayne A. Wolff concentrates his practice in the defense of manufacturers of pharmaceutical and medical devices. He has significant experience managing complex litigation involving cutting-edge medical and scientific issues. He has extensive experience defending claims involving FDA approval of pharmaceutical and medical devices.

Emily M. Weissenberger is an accomplished trial attorney, focusing on defending clients against product liability, mass tort and complex litigation claims in the life sciences, pharmaceutical and medical devices, consumer products and automotive fields. She also counsels and defends clients in Proposition 65 matters. She recently defended two dietary supplement cases through trial, winning a full defense verdict and the largest cost recovery for a Proposition 65 defendant in the history of the statute’s litigation.

All three attorneys will practice nationally from Shook’s San Francisco office.

“We are excited to welcome Mike, Wayne, and Emily to Shook,” Amir Nassihi, managing partner of Shook’s San Francisco office, said in a statement. “Their addition strengthens our deep California complex products and commercial, and class action litigation expertise, and aligns with our continued strategic growth in California and other key regions.”

Alicia Donahue, co-chair of Shook's Product Liability Practice Group, said, “Mike and his team’s expertise, courtroom excellence, and deep connections in the California legal community will complement our products litigation and adjunct practice areas as we navigate emerging risks for clients. We know they were highly sought-after and we’re glad they selected Shook.”

Shook earned the Who’s Who Legal: International Product Liability Defense Law Firm of the Year award in 2017 for the 13^th consecutive year. The firm represents many of the world’s leading companies in the pharmaceutical and medical device, software and telecommunications, and food and beverage industries, among others. In addition, Shook earned a perfect score for the 10^th year in a row on the Corporate Equality Index, which gauges an inclusive work environment.

Founded in 1889, Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P. has 12 offices in the United States and London, with attorneys and professional staff serving clients in the health, science and technology sectors in areas ranging from product liability defense and commercial litigation to intellectual property prosecution and litigation, environmental and toxic tort, privacy and data security, and regulatory counseling.