Stephen J. McConnell

"He is a legal eagle who has creative ideas, thinks outside of the box and brings new perspective to a matter. He's a great advocate and good at explaining complex matters."
Chambers USA, Litigation: Product Liability client

"He's a strong strategic counsel who brings valuable insights to complex litigation challenges. He is excellent at identifying emerging trends and developing proactive defense strategies."
Chambers USA, Litigation: Product Liability client

"He is a big picture thinker who is able to focus on details but also differentiate what does and doesn't matter. He is affable and has an approachable presence that relates well to a jury."
Chambers USA, Litigation: Product Liability client

"Stephen does an amazing job navigating the issues when trying a case. He is amazingly talented and creative."
Chambers USA, Product Liability & Mass Torts client

"He is an excellent legal scholar and first-chair trial lawyer."
Chambers USA, Litigation: Product Liability client

Stephen litigates mass torts, False Claims Act, antitrust, securities, and white-collar criminal cases throughout the United States. He has tried dozens of cases before juries in federal and state trial courts, with first-chair wins in both government and private practice cases, and has successfully argued significant matters before federal and state appellate courts. His private practice clients include major consumer products, food, pharmaceutical, medical device, energy, entertainment, and real estate companies. Stephen has defended companies in class actions and multi-district litigations. Many of the cases have centered on allegations of unfair or deceptive marketing.

Experience

Representative matters

Lead counsel for food company sued in case alleging injuries from “ultra processed” foods and presented oral argument on behalf of industry, resulting in dismissal of case.

Served as co-lead counsel, representing a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a product liability case involving ranitidine, a medication used to treat excess stomach acid. After hearing Steve’s oral argument, the Judge in the case granted our motion to bar the Plaintiff from suing prior manufacturers of ranitidine, and the entire case was dismissed from the bench.

Represented global medical device company in the In re Transvaginal Mesh Litigation which includes more than 22,000 cases filed in federal and state courts across the country. Tried only case for client that went to jury, obtaining complete defense verdict.

Experience

Lead counsel for food company sued in case alleging injuries from “ultra processed” foods and presented oral argument on behalf of industry, resulting in dismissal of case.

Represented device manufacturer in a products liability action in which plaintiff alleged that a urology procedure he had undergone caused him incontinence.

Represented defendant in a suit by plaintiff for physical injuries, allegedly arising from laser urology procedure to address benign prostate hyperplasia; Case settled just before trial commenced.

Represented defendant in a wrongful death claim for alleged perforation of trachea during cryoablation procedure. Secured complete dismissal of case on motion for summary judgement.

Represented pharmaceutical company in Multidistrict Litigation involving allegations of physical injuries caused by atypical antipsychotic medication.

Represented professional basketball player accused of assault and battery. Panel rendered complete defense verdict

Represented pharmaceutical company in pay-for-delay antitrust suit.

Leading representation of pharmaceutical company in Multi-District Litigation involving claims that drug caused serious kidney injuries.

Lead trial lawyer in product liability case involving allegation that rifle exploded in hands of consumer.

Lead counsel for consumer healthcare company in lawsuit alleging that an over the counter pain relief medication caused SJS/TEN.

Lead counsel for consumer personal care products company in litigation alleging that talc products contained asbestos and caused customers to suffer from mesothelioma.

Represented medical device company in wrongful death case alleging that heart pump device was defectively manufactured.

Represented medical device in wrongful death case in which plaintiff claimed that implanted cardio defibrillator malfunctioned.

Representing medical device company in product liability case alleging spinal stimulator malfunctioned.

Lead counsel for Independent Review Board sued in product liability action alleging lack of clinical trial informed consent.

Tried and won cigarette case in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Tried and won fen-phen case in Midland, Texas.

Recognitions

Recognized as a U.S. News – Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year in Philadelphia in the area of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants, 2026
Recognized by Lexology in the Lexology Index: Thought Leaders USA, 2026
Ranked in Chambers USA for Pennsylvania Litigation: Product Liability (Band 1) and Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts, 2025-2026