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Brody Named a “2020 Health Care/Life Science Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal

April 8, 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, DC—April 8, 2020—Partner Steve Brody has been named to The National Law Journal’s “2020 Health Care/Life Science Trailblazers” list, which honors “agents of change” who work on a range of related issues, including life science litigation, innovative product development, and more.

Brody, who chairs O’Melveny’s Product Liability & Mass Torts Practice and co-chairs the firm’s State Attorneys General Litigation & Investigations Practice, was recognized for his recent work on behalf of client Johnson & Johnson in multiple litigations.

In his award profile, the editors noted that Brody “is representing Johnson & Johnson as it defends itself against nearly 2,500 pending lawsuits seeking liability in the opiate abuse epidemic.” Brody noted that, “The case raises real questions about the proper role of litigation as a means to achieve policy objectives in the courtroom.” 

Brody also represented Merck in suits regarding the pain medication Vioxx and Johnson & Johnson in litigation surrounding the antipsychotic drug Risperdal.

The National Law Journal acknowledged Brody’s success before joining O’Melveny—in his role directing the US Department of Justice’s lawsuit holding cigarette manufacturers accountable for civil RICO violations “in one of the largest civil cases in US history.” Brody told the publication that it was this work that interested him in the life science practice. “It was an extraordinary intersection of the scientific with the political” that garnered the full “engagement of the public health community,” he said.

As for the future, The National Law Journal cited Brody’s view that unchecked litigation has the potential to threaten life sciences companies unjustifiably, something that can result in lost jobs, “research projects not started,” and “therapies not invented.” He hopes to be part of the answer by pushing back against efforts to target the life sciences industry in the courtroom and beyond.

Brody’s award profile can be found here.

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Contact:

Christopher Rieck
O’Melveny & Myers LLP
+1 212 326 2218
crieck@omm.com