Judith A. Yavitz
Judith is a member of the Life Sciences Health Industry Group, practicing in the area of product liability litigation. She has experience in product liability, mass tort litigation and personal injury, and in managing a department responsible for defending thousands of asbestos personal injury cases filed throughout New York state and nationally. Judith has been involved in asbestos personal injury cases for more than 20 years as national counsel, overseeing nationwide litigation for major defendants as well as New York counsel.
Judith has jury trial experience and substantial experience with medical and other expert testimony and evaluation, as well as extensive experience with depositions and all aspects of discovery, motion practice, and mass tort litigation. Her experience also includes consolidations, multi-district litigation, and class actions, and she has evaluated and settled thousands of significant cases.
She maintains a high profile in federal and state courts with extensive courtroom experience, and serves as lead counsel in asbestos litigation in New York state and federal courts. Her responsibilities include drafting case management orders for courts, ongoing service as lead counsel for many defendants, and continual contact with numerous judges.
Representative Matters
Represented Fortune 500 company in obtaining summary judgment dismissing asbestos personal injury claim where defendant was only one of many suppliers of asbestos to manufacturer of finished products allegedly used by the plaintiff. (2006)
Represented Fortune 500 companies in obtaining dismissal of asbestos-related malignancy personal injury claim based upon previously executed release for an asbestos-related non-malignancy claim. New York Appellate Division, First Department. (2005)
Represented Fortune 500 companies in obtaining a deferred docket staying thousands of unimpaired asbestos personal injury claims in New York City. (2002)
Represented Fortune 500 companies in obtaining declaratory judgment reducing defendants’ liability by including bankrupt companies in apportionment of asbestos personal injury claims in New York City. (2002)
Represented Fortune 500 company in obtaining summary judgment dismissing asbestos personal injury claim where plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence of asbestos exposure at defendant’s premises or supervision by defendant’s employees. (2002)
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Speeches / Presentations
- "Ethics Part I," New York In-House Counsel Seminar Series, Reed Smith, New York (June 12, 2008)
Experience
| 2008 | Reed Smith |
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| — | Anderson Kill & Olick |
Legal Education
| — | J.D., Columbia University School of Law |
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Undergraduate Education
| — | B.A., cum laude, Colgate University |
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Professional Admissions / Qualifications
- New York
Professional Affiliations
- The Association of the Bar of the City of New York
- American Bar Association
- Recognized in a survey of her peers as a New York "Super Lawyer" in the area of class action/mass tort
- Named several years running to The Best Lawyers in America for Mass Tort Litigation