DLA Piper is pleased to welcome Stephen Huffaker as a partner in the firm’s Product Liability, Mass Torts & Class Actions Practice. He will be based in the Austin office.
Huffaker’s practice focuses on pharmaceutical and medical device product liability litigation, with an emphasis on mass tort coordination and strategy, early assessment and resolution of cases, group settlement administration, litigation risk strategy and fact and expert witness development and discovery.
He represents an array of life sciences companies in a variety of litigation contexts, ranging from consolidated mass tort proceedings to individual claims. He has served on national counsel teams for major pharmaceutical and medical device litigations in which he has implemented mass tort settlement programs, developed company witnesses and company defense theories, retained and prepared expert witnesses in various disciplines, investigated the key scientific and regulatory issues, and participated in discovery and motion practice in various jurisdictions.
His notable experience includes serving as a leading member of mass tort settlement teams for global life sciences companies, a role in which he has managed the resolution of tens of thousands of cases. He has served on the national counsel team for three pharmaceutical companies involved in nationwide mass tort litigation regarding their jointly-marketed medication; and he has represented multiple pharmaceutical and medical device companies in individual product liability matters.
“Steve is a top-tier attorney with a strong practice and a proven track record. We’re confident his well-rounded and extensive experience will be essential in advising our clients with their complex product liability issues,” said Ilana Eisenstein, chair of DLA Piper’s Litigation Practice.
“We are excited to welcome Steve to the firm and support him, as we continue to expand our litigation capabilities and offerings in Texas and beyond,” said Joseph Fore, managing partner of DLA Piper’s Austin office.