HarrisMartin's MDL Conference: Pharmaceutical and Environmental Mass Tort Litigation Speaker Profiles

Neil D. Overholtz specializes in pharmaceutical litigation, and has successfully handled thousands of defective drug and medical device cases, including fen-phen, Rezulin, Baycol, Bextra/Celebrex, Vioxx, Medtronic Defibrillators, and Guidant Defibrillators.

Recently, Mr. Overholtz has the distinction of having been appointed as national counsel on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committees for several federal products liability MDL’s (Mullti-District litigations), including the Trasylol MDL pending in federal court in West Palm Beach, Florida, before the Honorable Judge Middlebrooks, the Viagra MDL in the District Court in Minnesota, before the Honorable Judge Magnuson, as well as the Medtronic Sprint Fidelis Lead Wire MDL before United States District Court Judge Richard Kyle. Additionally, Mr. Overholtz has served as co-lead counsel in the In Re America Online, Inc Version 5.0 Software Litigation, MDL Docket No. 1341 (S.D. Fla), helping to negotiate a cash settlement for affected AOL members in excess of $15 Million as well as significant injunctive relief.

Lynn Lincoln Sarko is a nationally-recognized leader in complex litigation, having been selected by federal courts nationwide to serve as lead or co-lead counsel in a wide variety of cutting-edge cases. Since 1991, Lynn has led Keller Rohrback’s diverse and accomplished Complex Litigation Group. In that role, Lynn has not just helped clients win – he has helped them win what they need. He is widely recognized for his ability to lead very complex litigation and his expertise dealing with bet-the-company, crisis lawsuits. He is viewed by judges, clients, co-counsel, opposing counsel, and opposing parties as the consummate diplomat. Through smart, efficient, strategy and tailored, creative problem solving, Lynn and his team have accomplished outstanding outcomes while minimizing costs and maximizing value.

Lynn currently leads the firm’s team that has filed class action lawsuits alleging Volkswagen deceived consumers by using software to cheat emissions tests in supposedly “clean” diesel vehicles. In addition to his highly-regarded work on behalf of classes of consumers, fishermen, and employees, among others, Lynn regularly represents parties in international legal actions. Currently, Lynn represents sovereign nations, foreign consumers, and institutional clients who are victims of financial and consumer fraud, environmental harm, as well as other corporate malfeasance. Lynn is the driving force behind Keller Rohrback’s involvement in the Global Justice Network (international counsel working together for the benefit of victims), the International Financial Litigation Network (international attorneys handling cross-border litigation), and the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (a global organization of leading asset managers and service providers).