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Cierra Vaughn

Cierra Vaughn

Senior Associate

The McPherson Building
901 15th Street, NW
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C., 20005
100 S. Charles Street
Suite 1600
Baltimore, MD 21201
cierra.vaughn@nelsonmullins.com

As a senior associate in the firm’s litigation practice, Cierra Vaughn represents clients primarily in Products Liability and Toxic Torts matters involving high stakes, complex litigation across jurisdictions nationwide. Her work spans single plaintiff actions, mass torts, and multidistrict litigation, where she has developed a reputation for strategic thinking and meticulous preparation.

Cierra has substantial litigation...

As a senior associate in the firm’s litigation practice, Cierra Vaughn represents clients primarily in Products Liability and Toxic Torts matters involving high stakes, complex litigation across jurisdictions nationwide. Her work spans single plaintiff actions, mass torts, and multidistrict litigation, where she has developed a reputation for strategic thinking and meticulous preparation.

Cierra has substantial litigation experience, including drafting and arguing substantive motions and serving as second and third chair at trial. Cierra has also argued dispositive and evidentiary motions in state and federal courts. She has taken and defended numerous fact and expert witness depositions, often involving highly technical scientific and regulatory issues. Her ability to translate complex subject matter into clear, persuasive advocacy is a hallmark of her practice.  

She regularly represents Fortune 100 companies, often working closely with or as national coordinating counsel. Cierra also works closely with in house teams and local counsel to ensure consistency, efficiency, and alignment across large portfolios of cases. Clients value her responsiveness, persuasive written advocacy, practical judgment, and collaborative approach. Cierra is at ease in both supportive and leadership roles, with her experience prompting her to anticipate litigation needs and issues in advance

Committed to delivering exceptional results, Cierra brings a combination of trial experience, subject matter depth, and strategic insight to every matter she handles.

In addition to her work in products liability, Cierra is passionate about obtaining justice for survivors of domestic violence and has significant litigation experience across four jurisdictions obtaining protection and restraining orders for women and children. She dedicates a significant portion of her practice to pro-bono matters aimed at protecting those most vulnerable in her community.

Cierra Vaughn

experience, including drafting and arguing substantive motions and serving as second and third chair at trial. Cierra has also argued dispositive and evidentiary motions in state and federal courts. She has taken and defended numerous fact and expert witness depositions, often involving highly technical scientific and regulatory issues. Her ability to translate complex subject matter into clear, persuasive advocacy is a hallmark of her practice.  

She regularly represents Fortune 100 companies, often working closely with or as national coordinating counsel. Cierra also works closely with in house teams and local counsel to ensure consistency, efficiency, and alignment across large portfolios of cases. Clients value her responsiveness, persuasive written advocacy, practical judgment, and collaborative approach. Cierra is at ease in both supportive and leadership roles, with her experience prompting her to anticipate litigation needs and issues in advance

Committed to delivering exceptional results, Cierra brings a combination of trial experience, subject matter depth, and strategic insight to every matter she handles.

In addition to her work in products liability, Cierra is passionate about obtaining justice for survivors of domestic violence and has significant litigation experience across four jurisdictions obtaining protection and restraining orders for women and children. She dedicates a significant portion of her practice to pro-bono matters aimed at protecting those most vulnerable in her community.

As a senior associate in the firm’s litigation practice, Cierra Vaughn represents clients primarily in Products Liability and Toxic Torts matters involving high stakes, complex litigation across jurisdictions nationwide. Her work spans single plaintiff actions, mass torts, and multidistrict litigation, where she has developed a reputation for strategic thinking and meticulous preparation.

Cierra has substantial litigation... experience, including drafting and arguing substantive motions and serving as second and third chair at trial. Cierra has also argued dispositive and evidentiary motions in state and federal courts. She has taken and defended numerous fact and expert witness depositions, often involving highly technical scientific and regulatory issues. Her ability to translate complex subject matter into clear, persuasive advocacy is a hallmark of her practice.  

She regularly represents Fortune 100 companies, often working closely with or as national coordinating counsel. Cierra also works closely with in house teams and local counsel to ensure consistency, efficiency, and alignment across large portfolios of cases. Clients value her responsiveness, persuasive written advocacy, practical judgment, and collaborative approach. Cierra is at ease in both supportive and leadership roles, with her experience prompting her to anticipate litigation needs and issues in advance

Committed to delivering exceptional results, Cierra brings a combination of trial experience, subject matter depth, and strategic insight to every matter she handles.

In addition to her work in products liability, Cierra is passionate about obtaining justice for survivors of domestic violence and has significant litigation experience across four jurisdictions obtaining protection and restraining orders for women and children. She dedicates a significant portion of her practice to pro-bono matters aimed at protecting those most vulnerable in her community.

Experience

The following is a selected sampling of matters and is provided for informational purposes only. Past success does not indicate the likelihood of success in any future matter.

Speaking Engagements

  • Arizona Office of the Supreme Court, Adult Probation Division: 2013 Recidivism Trends by County.

Education

  • Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law, JD (2017)
    • Student Works Editor, Journal of Law and International Legal Affairs
  • Arizona State University, BS in Political Science, Minors in Sociology and Justice Studies, Certificate in International Studies, summa cum laude (2013)

Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • California
  • Virginia
  • Maryland
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
  • Eastern District of Virginia
  • Western District of Virginia

Clerkships

  • Judicial Law Clerk, The Honorable Erick Larsh, Superior Court of California (May - Aug. 2015)

Practice Areas

Industries

The bar rules of some states require that the standards for an attorney's inclusion in certain public accolades or recognitions be provided. When such accolades or recognitions are listed, a hyperlink is provided that leads to a description of the respective selection methodology.

  • The Best Lawyers in America® Ones to Watch
    • Family Law (2026)
    • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2026)
  • AAML Eric D. Turner Award recipient
  • Washington D.C. Super Lawyers, Rising Star - Family Law (2023-2025)
  • Former Board Member, Young Lawyers Chapter, Fairfax County Bar Association
  • Former Member, Women in Business Networking Group, Arlington Chamber of Commerce
  • Volunteer, Fairfax Bar Association Heroes vs. Villains Annual Run for Justice 5k benefiting the Fairfax Law Foundation (2022-2024)