Dispositive Motions & Significant Court Opinions:

• Obtained dismissal of action based on lack of personal jurisdiction for foreign manufacturer upon a finding that a lack of minimum contacts and lack of purposeful availment, upon a due process analysis, could subject corporation to appear in Massachusetts.
• Successfully argued that a lack of duty to the plaintiff and that employer’s substantial modification to industrial laminating machinery was performed independently from manufacturer’s instructions, not known or reasonably foreseeable to the manufacturer, created the hazard by which the employee sustained significant, debilitating hand injury, and was the superseding cause of the damages asserted.
• Successfully argued for limitation of expert testimony on issues of causation and design defect of medical device for a failure to provide necessary indicia of reliability and validity of opinions or qualifications, leading to substantial reduction of demand and nuisance value settlement on the eve of trial.
• Obtained summary judgment for manufacturer of automatic gate for plaintiff’s failure to present elements of claim as a matter of law and determination that danger of “open and obvious.”
• Obtained dismissal of action for plaintiff’s failure to establish that a foreign corporation conducted business or had a presence in Massachusetts, or that any contacts with the state would satisfy Constitutional due process requirements.  In subsequent appeal, successfully argued that plaintiff had failed to adhere to appellate procedural requirements, resulting in dismissal of appeal
• Obtained dismissal of action and cross-claims for a failure to state a cause of action, where plaintiff’s identified claims and allegations were proven to be barred by the principles of res judicata.
• Obtained summary judgment for Korean affiliate corporation on grounds that the company did not accept successor liability nor was an agent for the conduct of business in the Commonwealth.
• Obtained dismissal of Complaint against aircraft component manufacturer for a lack of personal jurisdiction, where company was found to regularly solicit business in the Commonwealth but the assertion of general jurisdiction was found to offend the concept of Constitutional due process.
• For an automobile manufacturer, successfully resolved allegations of lack of crashworthiness and design defect allegations before judge during weeklong jury selection.
• Pursued dismissal of claims made against sales, maintenance, and manufacturing agents for a failure to join indispensable parties upon a claim for breach of contract resulting from golf course owner’s default and anticipatory repudiation of lease agreements.
• Obtained summary judgment upon franchisees claims that termination constituted a breach of contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, violation of the Connecticut Franchise Act, and violation of Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.
• Obtained partial exclusion of opinions by plaintiff’s expert for lack of necessary qualifications in order to offer expert testimony on design issues.
• Successfully argued in favor of summary judgment on plaintiff’s claims of a product defect on grounds of inadequate and insufficient expert opinions in Daubert challenge to expert witness, and due to unsubstantiated delay in expert disclosures.
• Obtained exclusion of plaintiff’s expert for failure to establish an adequate factual foundation for opinion.
• Summary judgment granted on Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act claims on statute of limitations grounds, and failure to establish applicability of course of conduct and fraudulent concealment pursuant to applicable tolling doctrine.
• Within a statutory product liability action, successfully pursued third-party claim for common-law indemnification against component manufacturer of fishing boat steering wheel.
• Obtained award of summary judgment upon a finding of express preemption of plaintiff’s state law damages claim pursuant to EPA’s FIFRA provisions.
• Successfully argued for the exclusion of plaintiff’s expert testimony and entry of summary judgment for failure to adequately support expert scientific opinions and failure to demonstrate causation.
• Partial summary judgment entered on grounds of preemption under the CPSC’s Federal Hazardous Substances Act.
• Awarded partial summary judgment as to state court claims of a defect in the design of vehicle’s air bag system upon holding that the National Traffic & Motor Vehicle Safety Act impliedly preempted claim.
• Obtained federal injunction and monetary sanctions for infringement of trademark and trade name.

Trial and Appellate Experience:

• Won federal court jury trial, successfully defending manufacturer of plumbing products against allegations of negligent manufacturing and failure of warnings as cause of extensive water damages in high-rise residential property
• Won defense verdict following 3-week jury trial alleging multi-million dollars in commercial damages for alleged breach of contract, unfair business practices, and fraudulent interference with a business relationship.
• Won defense verdict in multiple wrongful death suit in 4-week jury trial presentation asserting correlation between fuel-fed fire and DOT’s safety recall of engine throttle.
• Won defense verdict in two-month jury trial prosecuted by national plaintiffs’ counsel alleging that a defective design and testing protocols of a door latch led to plaintiff’s severe injury and permanent vegetative state.
• Won defense judgment in first-in-the-nation civil trial alleging design defect allegations regarding vehicle’s air bag system for manufacturer.

Bar Admissions:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut

Court Admissions:

• Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts
• Supreme Court of Connecticut
• United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
• United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
• United States District Court for the District of Connecticut

Education: 

• The George Washington University, National Law School, J.D. (1990)
• Colby College (1987)
  • Double major, Biology & Psychology
  • Awarded Paul Perez Prize for Meritorious Achievement
  • President, Psi Chi Psychology National Honor Society, 1986-1987

Awards & Recognition:

• Best Lawyers in America^® (2023-2025), Specialties: Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Massachusetts Super Lawyers in Products Liability: Defense (2015-2024)
• Designated a “Top Lawyer” by Boston magazine under Product Liability (2022, 2024)
• Circle of Excellence honoree, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly “Top Women of Law” (2023)
• Recipient of the Defense Research Institute Exceptional Performance Citation 2021-2022 related to her role as President of the Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, “For having supported and improved the standards and education of the defense bar, and for having contributed to the improvement of the administration of justice in the public interest.”
• Top Rated Litigator as selected by Martindale-Hubbell for publication in The National Law Journal and The American Lawyer (2022)
• AV^® Preeminent^™ Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest peer rating of professional excellence and ethical standards (2014-  )
• Top Women Attorneys in Massachusetts (2016-2018)
• Outstanding Leader in Law award, selected among members of DRI (2015)
• Honoree, Top Women of Law, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly (2014)
• Selected as “Massachusetts Rising Star” in Products Liability by Super Lawyers (2005)

• Sustaining Member, Product Liability Advisory Council (“PLAC”)
• Member, Mass. Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being (2021-  )
• Defense Research institute (DRI), Member (1991 – present)
  • National Director, (2022- )
  • Products Liability Committee
    • Biomechanics & Injury Causation SLG
      • Chair (2016-2018)
      • Vice-Chair (2014-2016)
      • Marketing liaison (2013-2014)
    • Automotive SLG
      • Steering Committee (2013-   )
  • Women in the Law Committee
    • Chair of the Committee (2020-   )
    • Vice-Chair of the Committee (2019-2020)
    • Seminar Chair, Women in the Law Committee (2018-2019) // Connected: Empowered Together to Succeed, Coronado Island, San Diego, California
    • Seminar Vice-Chair (2017-2018)
    • Chair, Seminar Marketing (2016-2017)
    • Vice-Chair, Seminar Marketing (2015-2016)
    • Steering Committee, Seminar Planning, 2014-  )
    • Chair, Networking sub-committee (2013-2016)
    • Vice-Chair, Networking sub-committee (2011-2013)
    • Massachusetts State Liaison (2012-2015)
    • Member, Marketing sub-committee (2011-2015)
  • Member-at-Large, Membership Committee, a standing committee of the DRI Board of Directors, re-appointed by DRI Presidents, John Parker Sweeney and Laura Proctor (2014-17)
• Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association
  • Member, Board of Directors 2015 – present
  • President (2021-   )
  • Vice-President (2020-2021)
  • Secretary (2019-2020)
  • Treasurer (2018-2019)
  • Vice-Chair, Product Liability Committee (2013-2015)
• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
  • Elected member, 2015 – present
  • Vice-Chair, Transportation Section (2019-   )
  • Member, Products Liability Section (2015-   )
  • Member, Trial Tactics, Practice & Procedures (2015-   )
  • Vice-Chair, Local Meetings Project – Deposition Bootcamp
  • Professional Women’s Forum (2017-   )
• International Association of Defense Counsel
  • Elected Member, 2010 – present
  • Steering Committee Member, Seminar Planning Committee
  • Member, Products Liability Committee
  • Member, Trial Techniques & Tactics Committee
• American Bar Association
  • Member, 2009 – present
  • Committee Member, Section of Litigation
  • Committee Member, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section
  • Committee Member, Woman Advocate Committee
• Women’s Bar Association
  • Vice-President – Operations (2016-2018)
  • Treasurer (2014-2016)
  • Re-elected Member, Board of Directors (2013-2018)
  • Chair, Business Development Committee (2009-2017)
  • Program Director, Women’s Leadership Initiative (2015-2016); Mentor (2013-2015)
  • Steering Committee, Suffolk University Law School Leadership Academy (2012-2013)
  • Elected Member, Nominating Committee (2013)
  • Member, Referral Directory Taskforce (2011-2012)
  • Senior Practice Committee (2010-   )

Articles & Publications:

• Co-Author, “First Circuit” Section of “New Federal Rule of Evidence Rule 702: A Circuit-by-Circuit Guide to Overruled ‘Wayward Caselaw,'” International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Summer Newsletter (2024)
• Product Liability Desk Reference, A Fifty-State Compendium, Massachusetts section, Wolters Kluwer (Daller & Daller, eds.) (2021 )
• Co-Author, 50 State Product Liability Reference, Massachusetts, Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (2017)
• Author, “Rule 26 Expert Discovery:  The Privileges Afforded to Expert/Attorney Communications,” FDCC Insights (December 2016); re-printed Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, Newsletter (May 2017)
• Co-Author, Damages:  A State-By-State Summary, American Bar Association, TIPS Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee; author of substantive sections for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire (2015)
• Co-Author, Women Rainmakers – Roadmap to Success, DRI (2014)
• Chapter, “Maintaining the Rain: It’s Not Over Yet.” Contributing author to publication providing advice for career and business development skills, based upon interviews with successful women rainmakers and in-house counsel to tap into tried and true business development techniques and successful rainmaking tips.
• Author, “A Progress Report on the New Rule 26(b)(4)(C),” Products Liability Committee Newsletter, Vol. 39, Issue 2, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (April 2013)
• Co-Author, “The Rules on Removal in Multiple-Party Cases:  A Reprise,” Mass Torts Litigation Committee Newsletter, Vol. 10, No. 4, American Bar Association (August 2012)
• Co-Author, “New Act Clarifies Process for Diversity Cases with Multiple Defendants,” Appellate Practice Journal, No. 31, No. 4, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (Summer 2012)
• Co-Author, “Understanding Time Limits on Removing Multiparty Cases to Federal Court,” Mass Torts Litigation Committee Newsletter, Vol. 7, No. 3, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (Summer 2009); reprinted Appellate Practice Journal, Vol. 29, No. 2, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation (Winter 2010); reprinted Committee on Pretrial Practice & Discovery Newsletter, Vol. 18, No. 2 (Winter 2010) American Bar Association, Section of Litigation reprinted The Advocate, Florida Bar Association (2012)
• Author, “Are We There Yet: Taking Three Steps Down the Road Toward Gender Equality”, For The Defense, DRI, November 2011, Vol. 53, No. 11
• Author, “To the Woman Sitting at Counsel Table – I Want to Hear From You,” Product Liability Committee Newsletter, International Association of Defense Counsel (April 2011)
• Co-Author, “When Plaintiff Knew (or should have known) the Risks – Application of the Sophisticated User Defense,” Trucking Law Committee In Transit Newsletter, DRI (Spring 2010)

Speaking Engagements:

• Co-teach, “Potential Safety Implications in the Right to Repair Movement,” Product Liability Advisory Council (October 24, 2024)
• Speaker, “Driving Growth and Success: The Ethics of Diversity in the Automotive Industry,” Defense Research Institute Strictly Automotive Seminar (September 19, 2024)
• Speaker, “Expert Witnesses in Business Litigation,” Boston Bar Association (BBA) virtual program (June 20, 2024)
• Speaker, “Upcoming Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 – What Changes Are Coming and How You Can Use the Rule Now,” Defense Research Institute (DRI) (July 20, 2023)
• Speaker, “Data Driven Insights into Consumer Product Use,” Product Liability Advisory Council (March 3, 2022)
• Speaker & Author, “Safety Concerns with Right to Repair Legislation, Litigation, and Federal Regulation,” DRI Product Liability Conference, Las Vegas (February 3, 2022)
• Speaker, “Settling Cases Involving Insurance Companies,” MCLE (December 7, 2021)
• Speaker, Mandates on Diverse and Inclusive Teams, client in-house presentation (January 2020)
• Quoted, “Car accident analytics gaining popularity in trials,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, January 16, 2020
• Panelist, “Products Liability Claims – Working with Experts,” MCLE New England, Boston (March 20, 2019)
• Moderator, “Arbitration Disputes Return to Court,” Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Winter Meeting, Austin (March 25, 2019)
• Panelist, “Drafting a Persuasive Motion,” MCLE New England, Boston (May 15, 2018)
• Moderator, “Identifying and Developing Tomorrow’s Trial Lawyer,” DRI Product Liability Conference, San Diego (February 8, 2018)
• Panelist, “Maximizing the Value of Expert Testimony,” Massachusetts Bar Association (September 26, 2017)
• Speaker, “Going from Social Media to Exhibit A,” client panel conference (January 17, 2017)
• Speaker, “The Perfect Pitch:  Ethical Conundrums and Possible Missteps in Landing and Maintaining Clients,” DRI Annual Meeting, Boston (October 19, 2016)
• Speaker, Persuading Each and Every Juror – Translating Technical and Complex Concepts for Every Juror of Every Age, Federation of Defendant & Corporate Counsel, Annual Meeting, Quebec (July 28, 2016)
• Quoted, “1st Circuit Expands Use of Supplemental Pleadings Rule,” Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 31, 2015
• Panelist, “Defending & Asserting Daubert Challenges: A View from the Bench, the Defense, and the Witness Stand,” Product Liability Committee, Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, Boston (October 9, 2014)
• Panelist, “Daubert – Procedural Tips and Trends, and Arguments that Work,” Massachusetts Defense Lawyers Association, Annual Meeting, Boston (May 30, 2014)
• Speaker, “Rule 26 Expert Discovery:  The Privileges Afforded to Attorney/Expert Communications,” DRI, Product Liability Conference, Phoenix (April 10, 2014)
• Panelist, “Preparing and Presenting Your Expert Witnesses:  Discovery Considerations and Ethics,” National Forum on Defending and Managing Trucking Litigation, American Conference Institute, Chicago (April 1, 2014)
• Speaker, “Amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure – Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” client panel conference (January 16, 2014)
• Keynote Speaker, Business Development for Women Attorneys, Foley Hoag LLP, July 12, 2012