Marilyn is a member of the firm’s Life Sciences Health Industry Group. For over three decades, she has defended companies in commercial disputes, product liability litigation, toxic tort litigation, regulatory proceedings, and arbitrations in the United States and internationally.
Marilyn has served as national coordinating counsel on numerous high-profile actions, including multidistrict proceedings. Marilyn has facilitated discovery efforts, formulated litigation strategy, retained and prepared expert witnesses in a variety of medical and scientific disciplines, prepared and argued dispositive and pre-trial motions, and acted as trial counsel.
Marilyn’s experience includes cases involving industrial, medical, and chemical products, including vaccines, silicone gel breast implants, natural rubber latex gloves, combination hormonal contraceptives, hernia and transvaginal mesh, orthopedic hip, knee, and shoulder implants, welding consumables, aviation parts and products, talc, and benzene.
Marilyn is also well versed and experienced in handling claims involving branded and generic pharmaceutical and medical device companies, including: pre-clinical and clinical development; New Drug Application and Abbreviated New Drug Application regulatory approval and related preemption issues; design and manufacturing regulations; product labeling and licensing; and product launch and sale. Marilyn often puts her three-plus decades of litigation experience to work assisting clients with early case evaluations, product risk assessments, and pre-marketing evaluations.
Marilyn also handles complex commercial litigation for the firm’s clients, including international arbitrations, False Claims Act matters, and contract disputes. She served as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office and has been an instructor and a judge at the firm’s trial training program.
As an active advocate for the advancement of women lawyers, Marilyn rigorously involves women on her teams and ensures that they interface with clients. She is a member of national women’s organizations and was a founding member of the firm’s women’s initiative, which has received national recognition.
Marilyn’s work on behalf of her clients and the accomplishments of the teams she has led have been specifically recognized in the following honors and media coverage:
- The American Lawyer, Product Liability Department of the Year
- The Legal 500, U.S. Product Liability Defense Team of the Year
- The Recorder, Litigation Department of the Year, Product Liability Finalist
