Sharon Desh
Partner
Sharon is a courtroom-proven trial lawyer with extensive experience in high-profile cases involving parallel proceedings in state and federal courts. Known for her ability to collaborate across the aisle, she is a frequent writer and speaker on trial strategy alongside industry leaders, and has been named a “Key Lawyer” by The Legal 500 in life science and product liability defense. Sharon’s proactive viewpoint and unique ability to navigate the uncertain waters of mass torts has enabled her to deliver excellent results for her clients, and has earned her the respect of judges, opposing counsel, and joint defense groups in some of the most contentious litigation of this decade.
Key Matters
Some of the experience represented below may have been handled at a previous firm.
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National and trial counsel for a multinational medical device and health care company in state and federal proceedings involving numerous product liability lawsuits, alleging that cow milk-based preterm infant formula products cause a naturally occurring gastrointestinal disorder in premature infants. Served on the trial team that secured a full defense verdict in Missouri state court after the Plaintiff requested over US$6.2B in damages, and obtained a complete summary judgment ruling in the first NEC MDL bellwether trial.
- In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation MDL (U.S. District Court, N.D. Ohio): National and trial counsel for a major pharmacy chain in nationwide state and federal litigation relating to the distribution and sale of prescription opioid medications, including over 2,500 cases brought by states, cities, counties, tribes, and private parties. Ohio Supreme Court ultimately sided with pharmacy chain on appeal.
- In re Domestic Drywall Antitrust Litigation MDL (U.S. District Court, E.D. Pa.): Counsel for the leading U.S. drywall manufacturer against Sherman Act and state law price-fixing claims brought by 12 of the nation’s largest homebuilders. Secured summary judgment on liability in favor of clients United States Gypsum Company and USG Corp. This decision came after the court denied summary judgment to multiple co-defendants.
- Johnson v. Monsanto Co. (City and County of San Francisco Super. Ct.): Consulting attorney for first lawsuit to proceed to trial across all state and federal cases alleging that Roundup weedkiller caused plaintiff’s non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
- E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Unifrax (U.S. District Court, D. Del and U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit): Trial counsel to DuPont in successful jury trial relating to DuPont’s patent covering thermal acoustic blankets for use in aircraft, which was affirmed on appeal.
- Prologis v. IGT (U.S. District Court, Nev.): Second-chair trial counsel to IGT in bench trial on multimillion-dollar breach of contract action.