Four Butler Snow attorneys recently participated in the 53rd Trial Attorneys of America (TAA) Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on June 12-14, 2024. Attorneys Katelyn Ashton, Michael Hewes and Margaret Loveman presented in different sessions on Thursday, June 13. Butler Snow attorney and TAA President Anita Modak-Truran gave welcoming remarks to attendees. Modak-Truran served as vice president in 2021 and president from 2022-2024.
Founded in 1969, the Trial Attorneys of America is a professional organization created to maintain, enhance and promote the knowledge and practice of the defense of product liability litigation for trial attorneys and corporate counsel.
Ashton’s interview-format presentation with Jason Burke of AbbVie Inc. explored the impact of public perception on litigation strategy in prescription drug and medical device cases. They also discussed how outside counsel can aid companies in navigating related public relations and marketing issues.
Hewes and Loveman led “Short Circuit” sessions, each covering a different United States circuit court. Hewes led an overview of the 5th Circuit, and Loveman was responsible for the 11th Circuit.
Katelyn Ashton is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare group. Her practice is focused on the representation and defense of manufacturers in complex products liability litigation in state and federal courts, with an emphasis on prescription drugs, medical devices, and chemicals.
Michael Hewes is an experienced litigator who practices in the firm’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. He has spent the majority of his career defending clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device and biologics industry.
Margaret Loveman has a range of litigation experience focused on pharmaceutical, medical device, and employment litigation. She has served as a key member of numerous medical device trial teams, all of which resulted in defense verdicts. She has extensive experience working on all aspects of trial preparation and served on the deposition and motions teams for a mass tort pharmaceutical action.
Anita Modak-Truran is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation group and focuses her practice on pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, mass tort and bet-the-company cases. Her practice focuses on representing pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers.
