Counsel – Drug, Device and Consumer Products

Barnes & Thornburg LLP; New York (NY); On-site; USD 210,000 - 320,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnes & Thornburg LLP seeks an experienced litigation Counsel with deep expertise in drug, medical device, consumer product and related product liability matters. You will guide strategic litigation, draft substantive pleadings, manage discovery, and mentor junior staff while interfacing with clients.

Ideal candidates bring 8+ years of complex litigation experience, strong writing skills, and familiarity with AI-enabled document review and eDiscovery.

Qualifications

• J.D. from an accredited law school and admission to state bar in good standing.
• 8+ years of experience in drug, medical device, consumer product, product liability or related complex litigation.
• Excellent organization, detail orientation, problem-solving and time management.
• Ability to manage significant litigation responsibilities independently with sound judgment.
• Familiarity with emerging legal AI tools for document review and eDiscovery.
• Experience handling complex scientific, medical, technical, or expert-driven issues.
• Strong deposition, motion practice, discovery and case-management skills.
• Strong client-management and communication abilities.
• NY state court trial experience; MDL knowledge is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage significant aspects of complex drug, medical device, consumer product and/or product liability matters from inception through resolution.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies in collaboration with partners and clients.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery responses, memoranda, and other substantive work product.
• Prepare for and participate in depositions, hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and other proceedings.
• Analyze scientific, medical, technical, and factual evidence and translate complex information into persuasive legal arguments.
• Manage discovery, including developing case-specific strategies, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and coordinating with eDiscovery professionals and vendors.
• Work with expert witnesses and consultants on case development, reports, testimony, and trial preparation.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case status, strategy, risks, and significant developments.
• Supervise, mentor and delegate assignments to associates and other legal professionals.
• Collaborate with partners and cross-functional teams to advance client and matter objectives.
• Contribute to trial preparation and, as appropriate, trial execution.

Skills

Strong legal writing

Litigation management

Client communication

Strategic judgment

Team leadership

Adaptability to AI tools

Education

J.D. from accredited law school

Tools

eDiscovery

Trial software

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Barnes & Thornburg is seeking an experienced litigation Counsel with substantive experience in drug, medical device, consumer product and/or related product liability litigation. The Counsel will manage complex matters, developing litigation strategy, drafting substantive legal work, advocating for clients, and working collaboratively with partners, associates, experts, and clients. The ideal candidate is a strong legal writer and advocate who can take ownership of matters and deliver high-quality work with sound judgment and minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manage significant aspects of complex drug, medical device, consumer product and/or product liability matters from inception through resolution.
• Develop and execute litigation strategies in collaboration with partners and clients.
• Draft pleadings, motions, briefs, discovery responses, memoranda, and other substantive work product.
• Prepare for and participate in depositions, hearings, oral arguments, mediations, and other proceedings.
• Analyze scientific, medical, technical, and factual evidence and translate complex information into persuasive legal arguments.
• Manage discovery, including developing case-specific strategies, reviewing and analyzing evidence, and coordinating with eDiscovery professionals and vendors.
• Work with expert witnesses and consultants on case development, reports, testimony, and trial preparation.
• Communicate directly with clients regarding case status, strategy, risks, and significant developments.
• Supervise, mentor and delegate assignments associates and other legal professionals.
• Collaborate effectively with partners and cross-functional teams to advance client and matter objectives.
• Contribute to trial preparation and, as appropriate, trial execution.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• J.D. from accredited law school and admission to and in good standing with applicable state bar(s)
• 8+ years of relevant experience in drug, medical device, consumer product, product liability, toxic tort, or related complex litigation. Experience managing asbestos or talc litigation preferred.
• Excellent organization, detail orientation, problem-solving, and time management skills, with ability to work independently and as part of a fast-paced, high-performing team.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage significant litigation responsibilities and exercise sound strategic judgment.
• Strong aptitude for emerging legal AI tools for document review, analysis, eDiscovery among other applications.
• Experience handling complex scientific, medical, technical, or expert-driven issues.
• Strong deposition, motion practice, discovery, and case-management experience.
• Strong client-management and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with federal and/or state court litigation; MDL experience is a plus.
• Trial preparation and/or trial execution experience are preferred.
• NY state court trial experience.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Normal law office environment with minimal exposure to excessive noise, dust, extreme temperatures, or other adverse environmental conditions.
2. Must have the ability to work under pressure and multi-task.
3. This position requires regular interaction with attorneys, legal staff, and outside parties.

The Counsel must be able to perform all essential duties and responsibilities of this position with minimal supervision, satisfactorily and as outlined, with or without reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation requests may be accommodated, absent undue firm hardship.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements of this position. As such, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of job duties or responsibilities required in this job. Subject to firm needs, duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, on a temporary or permanent basis, and with or without notice.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.