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Sandra Giannone Ezell
Partner
1021 E. Cary St.
Suite 2120
Richmond, VA 23219
Suite 2120
Richmond, VA 23219
Pacific Gateway
19191 South Vermont Avenue
Suite 900
Torrance, CA 90502
19191 South Vermont Avenue
Suite 900
Torrance, CA 90502
sandra.ezell@nelsonmullins.com
Sandra has represented corporations in hundreds of courtrooms across the country. The nature of her defense work varies but overwhelmingly involves defending catastrophic exposure products liability matters, often in her role as first chair national trial counsel. Additionally, she provides advice regarding, as well as defense of, mass torts or class action or business torts....
Sandra has represented corporations in hundreds of courtrooms across the country. The nature of her defense work varies but overwhelmingly involves defending catastrophic exposure products liability matters, often in her role as first chair national trial counsel. Additionally, she provides advice regarding, as well as defense of, mass torts or class action or business torts. In more than 30 years of managing and trying cases, she has handled product matters involving asbestos products, automotive products, child products, consumer products, cybersecurity and privacy issues, educational products, energy products, food products, household products, medical devices, railroad crossing issues, construction defect claims, power tools products, premises liability, property disputes, recreational products, FELA claims, tobacco products, toxic exposure, transportation products.
In addition to her products practice, she also handles business litigation disputes, including contract disputes, class actions, franchisor representation, as well as dealer/vendor disputes. Sandra has also provided consulting services on litigation strategy and execution for individual cases and pattern litigation.
Sandra has dedicated a substantial amount of her time and energy to training other women in the legal profession and elevating the next generation of diverse legal talent. She has served as a mentor to many young, diverse and women lawyers.
In more than 30 years of managing and trying cases, she has handled product matters involving asbestos products, automotive products, child products, consumer products, cybersecurity and privacy issues, educational products, energy products, food products, household products, medical devices, railroad crossing issues, construction defect claims, power tools products, premises liability, property disputes, recreational products, FELA claims, tobacco products, toxic exposure, transportation products.
In addition to her products practice, she also handles business litigation disputes, including contract disputes, class actions, franchisor representation, as well as dealer/vendor disputes. Sandra has also provided consulting services on litigation strategy and execution for individual cases and pattern litigation.
Sandra has dedicated a substantial amount of her time and energy to training other women in the legal profession and elevating the next generation of diverse legal talent. She has served as a mentor to many young, diverse and women lawyers.
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.
- Has represented clients in litigation nationwide and has handled matters in 49 states.
- Represented a national lender in a dealer/creditor dispute, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in October 2021. (New York)
- Represented an international automotive manufacturer in an alleged airbag inadvertent deployment bench trial, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in May 2021. (Virginia)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer as first counsel at trial to enforce the settlement of a product liability action. After cross-examination, plaintiff withdrew defense to settlement (prior to verdict) in September 2018. (California)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer in a catastrophic loss product liability claim for damages associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from a defective lift gate, tried to unanimous verdict as first chair trial counsel in February 2017. (California)
- Defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair trial counsel against allegations of a defect in pain pump. Case dismissed at the close of plaintiff’s evidence on motion in January 2016. (California)
- Defended a tier one supplier in an unintended acceleration case as first chair trial counsel in a case alleging a defective turbocharger. Jury reached compromise plaintiff’s verdict in September 2015. (Georgia)
- Successfully defended national automotive manufacturer in child paraplegia case involving allegations of defective seat belt. Tried as first chair to a defense verdict/settlement in March 2015. (North Carolina)
- Represented a sporting equipment manufacturer against allegations of mountain bike design and assembly failure. Tried as first chair to plaintiff’s verdict in September 2014. (North Carolina)
- Obtained a federal court defense verdict as first chair counsel for a client who was successor-in-interest to substantial asbestos product history in a lung cancer asbestos case in January 2014. (Illinois)
- Represented, as first chair defense counsel, an asbestos manufacturer in a living mesothelioma case. Case settled prior to verdict in November 2013. (Connecticut)
- Successfully defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair defense counsel in what was the first multi-million-dollar exposure bellwether trial. Defense verdict obtained in February 2013. (California)
- Represented medical device manufacturer to a hung jury in alleged defective pain pump case in July 2012. (Washington)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a national automotive manufacturer in an alleged unintended acceleration claim involving catastrophic injuries. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2012. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended a tobacco company in a lung cancer case as first chair trial counsel in October 2010. (Florida)
- Represented a national automotive company in a paralyzed child case involving allegations of a defective seat belt as first chair trial counsel. Tried to a mixed verdict in November 2009. (Tennessee)
- Represented a tobacco company to a defense verdict in a lung cancer case in April 2009. (Florida)
- Successfully defended a national automotive company in a child brain injury case as first chair trial counsel in July 2007. (Florida)
- Defended a national automotive company against allegations of a defective seatbelt system for a child occupant in a child paralysis case as first chair trial counsel. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2007. (North Carolina)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer against a claim of airbag aggressivity causing eye injury as first chair trial counsel in February 2006. (Virginia)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a manufactured homes client in a construction defect claim and plaintiff took non-suit after their expert was stricken during trial in 2004.
- Obtained a hung jury verdict as first chair trial counsel in a broken seat trial for an automotive manufacturer in 2003. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended as first chair trial counsel against claims that the seats were not strong enough to withstand a high-speed rear impact. Obtained a defense verdict in this death case in 2002. (North Carolina)
- Represented an automotive defendant in a child belt fit case at trial prior to settlement during trial in January 2002. (Florida)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer in a subrogation action brought by a trucking company alleging that the vehicle seats were not sufficiently strong in rear impacts in July 1999. (Missouri)
- Defended, as first chair trial counsel, an automotive manufacturer in a product defect claim in March 1998. (Virginia)
- Represented an automotive manufacturer in the trial of the seating system’s strength in rear impact crashes in 1998. (Alabama)
- Defended an automobile manufacturer’s seat strength in rear impact crashes in trial in September 1997. (Pennsylvania)
- Defended automobile crashworthiness claim regarding seatback strength. Obtained defense verdict in 1997. (Louisiana)
- Represented an automobile manufacturer as first chair trial counsel in a stipulated liability damages only trial in 1995. (Louisiana).
- Successfully defended an automobile manufacturer in a multiple death of minors case involving claims of inadequate seatback strength in 1994. (Iowa)
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD (1990)
- University of Michigan, BA, high honors (1987)
Admissions
- Virginia
- Illinois
- California
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Practice Areas
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.
- Has represented clients in litigation nationwide and has handled matters in 49 states.
- Represented a national lender in a dealer/creditor dispute, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in October 2021. (New York)
- Represented an international automotive manufacturer in an alleged airbag inadvertent deployment bench trial, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in May 2021. (Virginia)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer as first counsel at trial to enforce the settlement of a product liability action. After cross-examination, plaintiff withdrew defense to settlement (prior to verdict) in September 2018. (California)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer in a catastrophic loss product liability claim for damages associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from a defective lift gate, tried to unanimous verdict as first chair trial counsel in February 2017. (California)
- Defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair trial counsel against allegations of a defect in pain pump. Case dismissed at the close of plaintiff’s evidence on motion in January 2016. (California)
- Defended a tier one supplier in an unintended acceleration case as first chair trial counsel in a case alleging a defective turbocharger. Jury reached compromise plaintiff’s verdict in September 2015. (Georgia)
- Successfully defended national automotive manufacturer in child paraplegia case involving allegations of defective seat belt. Tried as first chair to a defense verdict/settlement in March 2015. (North Carolina)
- Represented a sporting equipment manufacturer against allegations of mountain bike design and assembly failure. Tried as first chair to plaintiff’s verdict in September 2014. (North Carolina)
- Obtained a federal court defense verdict as first chair counsel for a client who was successor-in-interest to substantial asbestos product history in a lung cancer asbestos case in January 2014. (Illinois)
- Represented, as first chair defense counsel, an asbestos manufacturer in a living mesothelioma case. Case settled prior to verdict in November 2013. (Connecticut)
- Successfully defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair defense counsel in what was the first multi-million-dollar exposure bellwether trial. Defense verdict obtained in February 2013. (California)
- Represented medical device manufacturer to a hung jury in alleged defective pain pump case in July 2012. (Washington)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a national automotive manufacturer in an alleged unintended acceleration claim involving catastrophic injuries. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2012. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended a tobacco company in a lung cancer case as first chair trial counsel in October 2010. (Florida)
- Represented a national automotive company in a paralyzed child case involving allegations of a defective seat belt as first chair trial counsel. Tried to a mixed verdict in November 2009. (Tennessee)
- Represented a tobacco company to a defense verdict in a lung cancer case in April 2009. (Florida)
- Successfully defended a national automotive company in a child brain injury case as first chair trial counsel in July 2007. (Florida)
- Defended a national automotive company against allegations of a defective seatbelt system for a child occupant in a child paralysis case as first chair trial counsel. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2007. (North Carolina)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer against a claim of airbag aggressivity causing eye injury as first chair trial counsel in February 2006. (Virginia)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a manufactured homes client in a construction defect claim and plaintiff took non-suit after their expert was stricken during trial in 2004.
- Obtained a hung jury verdict as first chair trial counsel in a broken seat trial for an automotive manufacturer in 2003. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended as first chair trial counsel against claims that the seats were not strong enough to withstand a high-speed rear impact. Obtained a defense verdict in this death case in 2002. (North Carolina)
- Represented an automotive defendant in a child belt fit case at trial prior to settlement during trial in January 2002. (Florida)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer in a subrogation action brought by a trucking company alleging that the vehicle seats were not sufficiently strong in rear impacts in July 1999. (Missouri)
- Defended, as first chair trial counsel, an automotive manufacturer in a product defect claim in March 1998. (Virginia)
- Represented an automotive manufacturer in the trial of the seating system’s strength in rear impact crashes in 1998. (Alabama)
- Defended an automobile manufacturer’s seat strength in rear impact crashes in trial in September 1997. (Pennsylvania)
- Defended automobile crashworthiness claim regarding seatback strength. Obtained defense verdict in 1997. (Louisiana)
- Represented an automobile manufacturer as first chair trial counsel in a stipulated liability damages only trial in 1995. (Louisiana).
- Successfully defended an automobile manufacturer in a multiple death of minors case involving claims of inadequate seatback strength in 1994. (Iowa)
Media
Insights
| Woman Up: Building Relationships in a Woman’s World, National Law Journal, Co-Author (Sept. 12, 2022) |
Events / Speaking Engagements
| The ABCs of TBIs, ASCDC Annual Seminar, Co-Presenter (January 2020) |
| So You’re Going to Trial in California: A Guide to What You Need to Know, CA Life Sciences Hot Topics Seminar, Co-Presenter (April 2019) |
| Considerations for Defending Cases with Child Plaintiffs, DRI Product Liability Conference, Co-Presenter (February 2019) |
| "Mitigating Risk in Difficult Jurisdictions - Analysis of Judicial Hellholes," Client Presentation, Presenter (March 2018) |
| Social Media Trial Evidence (And Some Other CRPS), LCA Renaissance Symposium, Speaker (December 2017) |
News
Recognitions
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®, Commercial Litigation (2024-2025), Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Leading Individual, Litigation: Product Liability – Virginia (2010–2023); Litigation: Product Liability: Automobile – Nationwide (2023, 2024): Product Liability & Toxic Torts (2024)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Automotive/Transport (2023)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Consumer Products (including tobacco): (2023)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2008–2011, 2014)
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Virginia Super Lawyers (2012–2021)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Virginia Award (2010)
- American Business Women's Association, Women at the Top, River City Express Network (March 2010)
- The Burton Foundation Award for Legal Achievement, Distinguished Legal Writing Award (2008)
Professional Activities
- Product Liability Advisory Council
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Litigation Counsel of America
- Defense Research Institute
- American Bar Association
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Richmond Bar Association
- Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
Sandra has represented corporations in hundreds of courtrooms across the country. The nature of her defense work varies but overwhelmingly involves defending catastrophic exposure products liability matters, often in her role as first chair national trial counsel. Additionally, she provides advice regarding, as well as defense of, mass torts or class action or business torts.... In more than 30 years of managing and trying cases, she has handled product matters involving asbestos products, automotive products, child products, consumer products, cybersecurity and privacy issues, educational products, energy products, food products, household products, medical devices, railroad crossing issues, construction defect claims, power tools products, premises liability, property disputes, recreational products, FELA claims, tobacco products, toxic exposure, transportation products.
In addition to her products practice, she also handles business litigation disputes, including contract disputes, class actions, franchisor representation, as well as dealer/vendor disputes. Sandra has also provided consulting services on litigation strategy and execution for individual cases and pattern litigation.
Sandra has dedicated a substantial amount of her time and energy to training other women in the legal profession and elevating the next generation of diverse legal talent. She has served as a mentor to many young, diverse and women lawyers.
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.- Has represented clients in litigation nationwide and has handled matters in 49 states.
- Represented a national lender in a dealer/creditor dispute, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in October 2021. (New York)
- Represented an international automotive manufacturer in an alleged airbag inadvertent deployment bench trial, tried matter as first chair counsel to a defense verdict in May 2021. (Virginia)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer as first counsel at trial to enforce the settlement of a product liability action. After cross-examination, plaintiff withdrew defense to settlement (prior to verdict) in September 2018. (California)
- Represented a national automotive manufacturer in a catastrophic loss product liability claim for damages associated with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) from a defective lift gate, tried to unanimous verdict as first chair trial counsel in February 2017. (California)
- Defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair trial counsel against allegations of a defect in pain pump. Case dismissed at the close of plaintiff’s evidence on motion in January 2016. (California)
- Defended a tier one supplier in an unintended acceleration case as first chair trial counsel in a case alleging a defective turbocharger. Jury reached compromise plaintiff’s verdict in September 2015. (Georgia)
- Successfully defended national automotive manufacturer in child paraplegia case involving allegations of defective seat belt. Tried as first chair to a defense verdict/settlement in March 2015. (North Carolina)
- Represented a sporting equipment manufacturer against allegations of mountain bike design and assembly failure. Tried as first chair to plaintiff’s verdict in September 2014. (North Carolina)
- Obtained a federal court defense verdict as first chair counsel for a client who was successor-in-interest to substantial asbestos product history in a lung cancer asbestos case in January 2014. (Illinois)
- Represented, as first chair defense counsel, an asbestos manufacturer in a living mesothelioma case. Case settled prior to verdict in November 2013. (Connecticut)
- Successfully defended a medical device manufacturer as first chair defense counsel in what was the first multi-million-dollar exposure bellwether trial. Defense verdict obtained in February 2013. (California)
- Represented medical device manufacturer to a hung jury in alleged defective pain pump case in July 2012. (Washington)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a national automotive manufacturer in an alleged unintended acceleration claim involving catastrophic injuries. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2012. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended a tobacco company in a lung cancer case as first chair trial counsel in October 2010. (Florida)
- Represented a national automotive company in a paralyzed child case involving allegations of a defective seat belt as first chair trial counsel. Tried to a mixed verdict in November 2009. (Tennessee)
- Represented a tobacco company to a defense verdict in a lung cancer case in April 2009. (Florida)
- Successfully defended a national automotive company in a child brain injury case as first chair trial counsel in July 2007. (Florida)
- Defended a national automotive company against allegations of a defective seatbelt system for a child occupant in a child paralysis case as first chair trial counsel. Obtained a defense verdict in May 2007. (North Carolina)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer against a claim of airbag aggressivity causing eye injury as first chair trial counsel in February 2006. (Virginia)
- Represented as first chair trial counsel a manufactured homes client in a construction defect claim and plaintiff took non-suit after their expert was stricken during trial in 2004.
- Obtained a hung jury verdict as first chair trial counsel in a broken seat trial for an automotive manufacturer in 2003. (Virginia)
- Successfully defended as first chair trial counsel against claims that the seats were not strong enough to withstand a high-speed rear impact. Obtained a defense verdict in this death case in 2002. (North Carolina)
- Represented an automotive defendant in a child belt fit case at trial prior to settlement during trial in January 2002. (Florida)
- Successfully represented an automotive manufacturer in a subrogation action brought by a trucking company alleging that the vehicle seats were not sufficiently strong in rear impacts in July 1999. (Missouri)
- Defended, as first chair trial counsel, an automotive manufacturer in a product defect claim in March 1998. (Virginia)
- Represented an automotive manufacturer in the trial of the seating system’s strength in rear impact crashes in 1998. (Alabama)
- Defended an automobile manufacturer’s seat strength in rear impact crashes in trial in September 1997. (Pennsylvania)
- Defended automobile crashworthiness claim regarding seatback strength. Obtained defense verdict in 1997. (Louisiana)
- Represented an automobile manufacturer as first chair trial counsel in a stipulated liability damages only trial in 1995. (Louisiana).
- Successfully defended an automobile manufacturer in a multiple death of minors case involving claims of inadequate seatback strength in 1994. (Iowa)
Education
- University of Michigan Law School, JD (1990)
- University of Michigan, BA, high honors (1987)
Admissions
- Virginia
- Illinois
- California
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Practice Areas
- Litigation
- Commercial Litigation & Business Torts
- Products Liability
- Products Liability - Automotive
- Products Liability - Consumer & Mechanical
- Products Liability - Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices
- Toxic Torts/Asbestos
- Energy
Industries
Insights
| Woman Up: Building Relationships in a Woman’s World, National Law Journal, Co-Author (Sept. 12, 2022) |
Events /
Speaking Engagements
Speaking Engagements
| The ABCs of TBIs, ASCDC Annual Seminar, Co-Presenter (January 2020) |
| So You’re Going to Trial in California: A Guide to What You Need to Know, CA Life Sciences Hot Topics Seminar, Co-Presenter (April 2019) |
| Considerations for Defending Cases with Child Plaintiffs, DRI Product Liability Conference, Co-Presenter (February 2019) |
| "Mitigating Risk in Difficult Jurisdictions - Analysis of Judicial Hellholes," Client Presentation, Presenter (March 2018) |
| Social Media Trial Evidence (And Some Other CRPS), LCA Renaissance Symposium, Speaker (December 2017) |
News
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®, Commercial Litigation (2024-2025), Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2024-2025)
- Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Leading Individual, Litigation: Product Liability – Virginia (2010–2023); Litigation: Product Liability: Automobile – Nationwide (2023, 2024): Product Liability & Toxic Torts (2024)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Automotive/Transport (2023)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Consumer Products (including tobacco): (2023)
- Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, mass tort and class action -- defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2008–2011, 2014)
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Virginia Super Lawyers (2012–2021)
- Virginia Lawyers Weekly Influential Women of Virginia Award (2010)
- American Business Women's Association, Women at the Top, River City Express Network (March 2010)
- The Burton Foundation Award for Legal Achievement, Distinguished Legal Writing Award (2008)
- Product Liability Advisory Council
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
- Litigation Counsel of America
- Defense Research Institute
- American Bar Association
- Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Richmond Bar Association
- Association of Southern California Defense Counsel
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