small-logo
ProfessionalsCapabilitiesInsights & NewsCareersLocations
About UsAlumniOpportunity & InclusionPro BonoCorporate Social Responsibility
Stay Connected:
facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube
  1. Professionals

Zachary Joseph Parker

He/Him/His

Associate

Chicago

+1 202-282-5021

Let's Connect

Email
vCard
  • Full Bio PDFPDF
    • Email
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Share this page
  • Overview
  • Experience
  • Credentials
  • Insights & News

Zac represents and advises clients at every stage of litigation, from pre-litigation risk assessment and mitigation through dispositive motion practice, discovery, depositions, trials, and appeals, with a primary focus on product liability, mass torts, and toxic torts.

He has experience defending businesses in state and federal courts in both individual and collective actions involving a broad range of product liability and contract matters, while also counseling manufacturers and supply-chain participants on potential liability and risk minimization across industries including consumer products, healthcare, insurance, food, drugs, and medical devices.

Key Matters

  • Represented a contract sterilizer of medical devices in toxic tort litigation (IL and GA) involving alleged chemical exposure causing cancer. Led expert coordination, extensive witness prep, and cross-examination strategy. Achieved full defense verdict and a favorable courthouse-steps settlement. 
  • Represented a medical device manufacturer in MDL and post-MDL product liability cases.  Responded to complaints in various federal and state forums, managed pleadings, discovery, depositions, and drafted dispositive motions under various state standards. 
  • Represented a global life sciences company in pesticide-related products liability trials (NY and MO). Handled extensive witness prep, cross-examinations, and team management. Secured full defense verdict and a favorable courthouse-steps settlement. 
  • Represented a global food and beverage company in the first “ultra-processed food” litigation, assessing novel legal theories, investigating claims, and developing novel expert witness strategies. 
  • Represented a company in $165M asbestos-related insurance coverage litigation. Prepared witnesses for sensitive, crucial trial testimony regarding litigation strategy and individual settlements while protecting privilege and confidentiality. Bench trial resulted in client being awarded the full sum requested.  
  • Represented a tobacco company in products liability actions. Conducted depositions, drafted motions, argued hearings, and contributed to trial and appellate strategy for multiple trials and various appeals in Florida state court. 
  • Counseled clients on compliance and litigation risk for various products, including privacy issues related to a retailer’s phone-based app with a child-focused game and disclosure requirements for sampling irradiated foods. 

  • Order of the Coif

  • Chicago LGBTQ+ Association
  • UMKC Diverse Alumni Committee
  • Sarah Siddons Society
  • Metzler Mentorship Program
  • Founding Co-Director, Coterie Theatre-Project Pride

Capabilities

Product Liability & Mass Torts
Litigation/Trials
Appellate & Critical Motions
Commercial Litigation & Disputes
eDiscovery & Information Governance

Key Matters

  • Represented a contract sterilizer of medical devices in toxic tort litigation (IL and GA) involving alleged chemical exposure causing cancer. Led expert coordination, extensive witness prep, and cross-examination strategy. Achieved full defense verdict and a favorable courthouse-steps settlement. 
  • Represented a medical device manufacturer in MDL and post-MDL product liability cases.  Responded to complaints in various federal and state forums, managed pleadings, discovery, depositions, and drafted dispositive motions under various state standards. 
  • Represented a global life sciences company in pesticide-related products liability trials (NY and MO). Handled extensive witness prep, cross-examinations, and team management. Secured full defense verdict and a favorable courthouse-steps settlement. 
  • Represented a global food and beverage company in the first “ultra-processed food” litigation, assessing novel legal theories, investigating claims, and developing novel expert witness strategies. 
  • Represented a company in $165M asbestos-related insurance coverage litigation. Prepared witnesses for sensitive, crucial trial testimony regarding litigation strategy and individual settlements while protecting privilege and confidentiality. Bench trial resulted in client being awarded the full sum requested.  
  • Represented a tobacco company in products liability actions. Conducted depositions, drafted motions, argued hearings, and contributed to trial and appellate strategy for multiple trials and various appeals in Florida state court. 
  • Counseled clients on compliance and litigation risk for various products, including privacy issues related to a retailer’s phone-based app with a child-focused game and disclosure requirements for sampling irradiated foods. 

Credentials

Education

Zac received his J.D., summa cum laude, from University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where he was an Editor on the UMKC Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court Team. He also served as an intern for Sean O’Brien, regional habeas counsel for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Missouri; and the Honorable Stephen R. Bough, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri. He earned a Bachelor of Music from UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance, cum laude.

    Admissions
    • Illinois

    Related Insights & News

    • “Defending Against Label-Based Lawsuits”,Pharmaceutical Executive, Jan. 2024
    • “Missouri State Overview”,Marijuana Venture, Aug. 2020
    • “It’s More than a New Graphic: How the New Nutritional Facts Panel Can Impact a Food’s Labeling, Marketing, and Formulation”, Thompson’s FDA Compliance Expert, Aug. 2020
    • “Defending Against the Undefined: Commercial Websites’ Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act”, 85 UMKC Law. Rev. 1089, Summer 2017
    View All Insights & News

    Capabilities

    Product Liability & Mass Torts
    Litigation/Trials
    Appellate & Critical Motions
    Commercial Litigation & Disputes
    eDiscovery & Information Governance
    Logo
    facebookinstagramlinkedintwitteryoutube

    Copyright © 2026. Winston & Strawn LLP

    AlumniCorporate Transparency Act Task ForceDEI Compliance Task ForceEqual Rights AmendmentLaw GlossaryThe Oval UpdateWinston MinutePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyFraud & Scam AlertsNoticesSubscribeAttorney Advertising