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Katherine A. Lawler
Partner
Suite 1600
Baltimore, MD 21201
Katherine concentrates her practice on defending companies in mass tort, product and personal injury matters. She has defended hospitals, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers on local, regional, and national levels. She has managed numerous local and national trial teams, developing effective trial themes and case evaluation strategies. She serves as national coordinating counsel and national trial...
Katherine concentrates her practice on defending companies in mass tort, product and personal injury matters. She has defended hospitals, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers on local, regional, and national levels. She has managed numerous local and national trial teams, developing effective trial themes and case evaluation strategies. She serves as national coordinating counsel and national trial counsel for major manufacturers of equipment and consumer products.
Over more than fifteen years as a litigator, Katherine has developed complex medical and scientific defenses, corporate defenses, and corporate and expert witnesses. She has experience building strategic themes across multiple disciplines to tell clients' stories at trial. In addition, she counsels clients on litigation risk and strategy across a variety of jurisdictions and issues. Her work has involved investigation and discovery in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the UK in defense of international corporate clients facing litigation in the US. She focuses on problem-solving for her corporate and insurance clients at every stage of litigation.
Along with tort litigation, Katherine devotes part of her practice to pro bono cases in the areas of social justice, compliance, special education, family law, and animal welfare. Katherine serves on the firm’s Pro Bono, Associates, and Engagement & Opportunity Committees. She is currently the Engagement & Opportunity Liaison to the Associates Committee and participates in recruitment for the Baltimore office and firm.
counsel for major manufacturers of equipment and consumer products.
Over more than fifteen years as a litigator, Katherine has developed complex medical and scientific defenses, corporate defenses, and corporate and expert witnesses. She has experience building strategic themes across multiple disciplines to tell clients' stories at trial. In addition, she counsels clients on litigation risk and strategy across a variety of jurisdictions and issues. Her work has involved investigation and discovery in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the UK in defense of international corporate clients facing litigation in the US. She focuses on problem-solving for her corporate and insurance clients at every stage of litigation.
Along with tort litigation, Katherine devotes part of her practice to pro bono cases in the areas of social justice, compliance, special education, family law, and animal welfare. Katherine serves on the firm’s Pro Bono, Associates, and Engagement & Opportunity Committees. She is currently the Engagement & Opportunity Liaison to the Associates Committee and participates in recruitment for the Baltimore office and firm.
Education
-
Syracuse University College of Law,
JD
(2008)
- Executive Editor, Syracuse Science & Technology Law Reporter
- Regional AAJ Trial Advocacy Champion
- President of St. Thomas More Society and Family Law Society
- Order of Barristers
- University of Notre Dame, BBA (2005)
Admissions
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Practice Areas
Industries
Media
Events / Speaking Engagements
| Products Liability in an E-Commerce World – Liability of Third-Party Online Retailers, IADC Midyear Meeting (Feb. 12, 2025) |
| Class Actions – Challenges and Opportunities, IADC Regional Meeting (Nov. 13, 2024) |
| Trends Impacting Talc Litigation in 2024, DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar (March 21, 2024) |
| Paralegal Utilization, Associate Training Program (Oct. 19, 2020) |
| Mock Trial Experience for Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Baltimore Chapter, University of Maryland School of Law, Speaker (April 22, 2017) |
News
Recognitions
- Maryland Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, Personal Injury Products: Defense (2013–2022)
- The Lawyers of Distinction (2017)
- The Daily Record, Named to the "Very Important Professionals, Successful by 40" (VIP) List (2013)
- National Association of Professional Women VIP Woman of the Year – Attorneys, Partners, and Judges (2013)
- The Daily Record, Named among Leading Women (2012)
- National Kidney Foundation of Maryland Volunteer Award (2010, 2011)
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers Excellence in Advocacy Award (2008)
Professional Activities
- Maryland Defense Counsel: President (2021–2022); Judicial Selections Committee Vice-Chair (2017–present); President-Elect (2020–2021) PAC Treasurer (2017–2020); PAC Chair (2016–2017)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2020 Fellow
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Chair, Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2024-2026)
- Co-Host, Under 45 Business Development at Annual Meeting (2024)
- Vice-Chair, Products Liability Committee (2023-present)
- Vice-Chair, DEI&B Committee (present)
- Vice-Chair, Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2022-2024)
- Graduate, Trial Academy (2014)
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Baltimore County Bar Association
Community
- Baltimore Ballet, Director (2010–2015); Advisory Board Member (2016–present)
- Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, Board Member (2010)
- National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Event Committee Member (2009–2015)
- ND Women Connect, Maryland Chapter, Co-Founder (2011), Co-Chair (2011–present)
- Notre Dame Alumni Club of Maryland, President (2013–2014), Vice President (2012–2013), Board Member (2010–present)
- Saint Brigid Roman Catholic Congregation Pastoral Council, Financial Committee Advisor (2013–2016)
Leadership
- Chair, Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Committee (2023-2025)
- Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2024-2026)
- Vice-Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel Products Liability Committee (2023-present)
- Vice-Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel DEI&B Committee (present)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associates Wellness Committee (2024)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins DE&I Engagement Committee (2023-present)
- Board of Directors, Baltimore Ballet (2010-present)
- Vice-Chair, Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Committee (2022-2023)
- President, Maryland Defense Counsel (2021–2022)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associate Evaluations Committee (2021)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associate Marketing Committee (2020)
- Co-Chair, Baltimore, Nelson Mullins Women on the Go (2019-2022)
- Office leader, Nelson Mullins Paralegal Committee (2019-2021)
- President, Notre Dame Club of Maryland (2013-2014)
Katherine concentrates her practice on defending companies in mass tort, product and personal injury matters. She has defended hospitals, manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers on local, regional, and national levels. She has managed numerous local and national trial teams, developing effective trial themes and case evaluation strategies. She serves as national coordinating counsel and national trial... counsel for major manufacturers of equipment and consumer products.
Over more than fifteen years as a litigator, Katherine has developed complex medical and scientific defenses, corporate defenses, and corporate and expert witnesses. She has experience building strategic themes across multiple disciplines to tell clients' stories at trial. In addition, she counsels clients on litigation risk and strategy across a variety of jurisdictions and issues. Her work has involved investigation and discovery in Canada, Mexico, Australia, and the UK in defense of international corporate clients facing litigation in the US. She focuses on problem-solving for her corporate and insurance clients at every stage of litigation.
Along with tort litigation, Katherine devotes part of her practice to pro bono cases in the areas of social justice, compliance, special education, family law, and animal welfare. Katherine serves on the firm’s Pro Bono, Associates, and Engagement & Opportunity Committees. She is currently the Engagement & Opportunity Liaison to the Associates Committee and participates in recruitment for the Baltimore office and firm.
Education
-
Syracuse University College of Law,
JD
(2008)
- Executive Editor, Syracuse Science & Technology Law Reporter
- Regional AAJ Trial Advocacy Champion
- President of St. Thomas More Society and Family Law Society
- Order of Barristers
- University of Notre Dame, BBA (2005)
Admissions
- Maryland
- U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland
Practice Areas
- Dispute Resolution Solutions
- Class Action & Multi-Claim Litigation
- Toxic Torts/Asbestos
- Premises Liability
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
Industries
Events /
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
| Products Liability in an E-Commerce World – Liability of Third-Party Online Retailers, IADC Midyear Meeting (Feb. 12, 2025) |
| Class Actions – Challenges and Opportunities, IADC Regional Meeting (Nov. 13, 2024) |
| Trends Impacting Talc Litigation in 2024, DRI Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Seminar (March 21, 2024) |
| Paralegal Utilization, Associate Training Program (Oct. 19, 2020) |
| Mock Trial Experience for Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Baltimore Chapter, University of Maryland School of Law, Speaker (April 22, 2017) |
News
- Maryland Super Lawyers® Rising Stars, Personal Injury Products: Defense (2013–2022)
- The Lawyers of Distinction (2017)
- The Daily Record, Named to the "Very Important Professionals, Successful by 40" (VIP) List (2013)
- National Association of Professional Women VIP Woman of the Year – Attorneys, Partners, and Judges (2013)
- The Daily Record, Named among Leading Women (2012)
- National Kidney Foundation of Maryland Volunteer Award (2010, 2011)
- New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers Excellence in Advocacy Award (2008)
- Maryland Defense Counsel: President (2021–2022); Judicial Selections Committee Vice-Chair (2017–present); President-Elect (2020–2021) PAC Treasurer (2017–2020); PAC Chair (2016–2017)
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, 2020 Fellow
- International Association of Defense Counsel
- Chair, Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2024-2026)
- Co-Host, Under 45 Business Development at Annual Meeting (2024)
- Vice-Chair, Products Liability Committee (2023-present)
- Vice-Chair, DEI&B Committee (present)
- Vice-Chair, Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2022-2024)
- Graduate, Trial Academy (2014)
- Maryland State Bar Association
- Baltimore County Bar Association
- Baltimore Ballet, Director (2010–2015); Advisory Board Member (2016–present)
- Domestic Violence Center of Howard County, Board Member (2010)
- National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Event Committee Member (2009–2015)
- ND Women Connect, Maryland Chapter, Co-Founder (2011), Co-Chair (2011–present)
- Notre Dame Alumni Club of Maryland, President (2013–2014), Vice President (2012–2013), Board Member (2010–present)
- Saint Brigid Roman Catholic Congregation Pastoral Council, Financial Committee Advisor (2013–2016)
- Chair, Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Committee (2023-2025)
- Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel Class Actions & Multi-Party Litigation Committee (2024-2026)
- Vice-Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel Products Liability Committee (2023-present)
- Vice-Chair, International Association of Defense Counsel DEI&B Committee (present)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associates Wellness Committee (2024)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins DE&I Engagement Committee (2023-present)
- Board of Directors, Baltimore Ballet (2010-present)
- Vice-Chair, Nelson Mullins Pro Bono Committee (2022-2023)
- President, Maryland Defense Counsel (2021–2022)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associate Evaluations Committee (2021)
- Co-Chair, Nelson Mullins Associate Marketing Committee (2020)
- Co-Chair, Baltimore, Nelson Mullins Women on the Go (2019-2022)
- Office leader, Nelson Mullins Paralegal Committee (2019-2021)
- President, Notre Dame Club of Maryland (2013-2014)
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