Julia A. López

Julia is a seasoned products liability and commercial litigator known for being both a fierce advocate and a thoughtful, professional presence in high-stakes matters. She represents manufacturers of prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and medical devices in single-plaintiff cases, coordinated litigation, and multidistrict proceedings in federal and state courts.

Whether the case involves contraceptives, breast implants, pelvic mesh, or other complex medical products, Julia brings a strategic, hands-on approach grounded in deep experience. She has led matters from early case assessment through discovery, expert development, and, when necessary, trial—often navigating intricate scientific, regulatory, and reputational issues with clarity and precision.

Julia’s command of mass tort discovery is extensive, from managing voluminous document productions and e-discovery to preparing and deposing plaintiffs, fact witnesses, treaters, and experts. With a collaborative style and a strong grasp of both legal strategy and scientific detail, she partners closely with medical and technical experts to shape persuasive litigation themes.

Clients know Julia for being intensely responsive—the kind of lawyer who replies the moment she sees your message, whether it’s 3 p.m. or midnight. She’s emotionally intelligent, highly competitive, and strategically practical—the kind of advocate who builds trust quickly, communicates with clarity and respect, and moves cases forward efficiently and effectively. Beyond her legal acumen, Julia is a connector and strategic thinker who helps clients manage immediate litigation while anticipating downstream legal risks in complex product liability matters.

A passionate champion of inclusion, Julia is the nationwide partner chair for Reed Smith’s Hispanic/Latinx business inclusion group, UNIDOS. She serves as Program Chair for the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA)/VIA Fund, where she leads PODER25™, an ambitious initiative to elevate 20 HNBA members to General Counsel roles by 2025. As past president of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ), she founded the organization's first scholarship endowment. Julia has also served on the New Jersey Supreme Court Committees on Civil Practice and Minority Concerns, and on the U.S. District Court Merit Selection Committee for the District of New Jersey.

Julia’s leadership and legal excellence have earned her numerous honors. She has been named one of NJBIZ’s Top 50 Influential Attorneys in New Jersey and featured on ROI-NJ’s Influencers List of the most impactful People of Color in the State. The HNBA has honored her as a Top Lawyer Under 40 and recognized the HBA-NJ under her leadership with its Affiliate of the Year Award.

Before joining Reed Smith, Julia clerked for the Hon. Esther Salas (U.S. District Court, D.N.J.) and the Hon. John E. Wallace, Jr. (Ret., N.J. Supreme Court). She earned her B.S.B.A. from Georgetown University and her J.D. from Rutgers School of Law–Newark, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the Rutgers Law Review and President of the Association of Latin American Law Students. She is a proud Rutgers MSP graduate and is admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York.

Experience

Representative matters

Member of national counsel team for generic pharmaceutical manufacturer against claims that active ingredient degraded into carcinogen.

Member of national counsel team for manufacturer in MDL and related state court cases involving prescription contraceptive product and allegations of thromboembolic injuries and wrongful death. Assisted in conducting extensive fact discovery, expert witness preparation, and successful motion practice. Achieved 11-0 defense record on summary judgment in the initial bellwether pool.

Member of national counsel team in nationwide product liability litigation involving pelvic mesh devices.

Recognitions

Recognized as a Rising Star at the 2025 MCCA Pathways Conference
Recognized by Executive Women of New Jersey on its 2024 Executive Women of Color of New Jersey honoree list. A description of the selection methodology can be found at ewnj.com. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Named as a 2023, 2024, and 2025 INvolve/EMpower Top 100 Executive Role Model. The EMpower Top 100 Executives List is issued by INvolve/EMpower. A description of the selection methodology can be found at empower.involverolemodels.org. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Credentials

Education

Rutgers School of Law, 2006, J.D.
Georgetown University, 1999, B.S.B.A.

Professional admissions & qualifications

New Jersey
New York

Court admissions

U.S. District Court - District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court - Eastern District of New York
U.S. District Court - Southern District of New York
U.S. Supreme Court

Professional affiliations

Vice President – Programs, Su Carrera, Hispanic National Bar Association
Appointed member, Merit Selection Panel, U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
Trustee, Advisory Committee, Kids In Need of Defense
Leadership Council on Legal Diversity 2020 Fellow
39th President, Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey
National Finance Director, Hispanic National Bar Association
Trustee, New Jersey Hispanic Bar Foundation
Member, New Jersey State Bar Association
Former appointed member, New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Minority Concerns
Former appointed member, New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Civil Practice
Former appointed member, Scholarship Committee, New Jersey State Bar Foundation