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    Global Problem Solving from Covington: Deal with Complex Problems Anywhere in the World

    • Apr 08, 2021

Shankar Duraiswamy

Partner

Washington +1 202 662 5273

  • About
  • Representative Matters
  • Credentials
  • About

    Shankar Duraiswamy represents clients in high-stakes, complex litigation matters, particularly those involving products liability, mass torts, and class action claims.

    Shankar has especially broad experience representing clients in the life sciences industry. This includes defending several companies in mass torts and class actions alleging product and warning defects in FDA-approved medications and medical devices, as well as representing and advising multiple clients on disputes related to prescription drug pricing, reimbursement, and access.

    Shankar has led the defense of mass torts against several other clients, including a sprawling multi-jurisdictional litigation arising out of the largest automotive recall in history and a series of U.S. tort claims arising out of a foreign conflict zone.

    Drawing on his industry and legal expertise, Shankar has routinely advises clients in the life sciences, transportation, technology, and consumer products industries on product safety issues, and related litigation risks. Most recently, he has counseled several companies on the development and distribution of products and technologies to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Shankar maintains an active and robust pro bono practice. He has represented plaintiffs in several high-profile cases to protect voting rights, ensure the integrity of the 2020 Census, combat discrimination in housing and education, and ensure equal access for the disabled. Shankar also has a longstanding commitment to civil legal aid and currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the Neighborhood Legal Services Program.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Practices and Industries
  • Representative Matters
    • Counsel for Boehringer Ingelheim in multi-jurisdictional mass tort litigation related to the anticoagulation medication Pradaxa. Secured summary judgment on preemption grounds following a one-week evidentiary hearing in Ridings v. Maurice, 2020 WL 1264178 (W.D. Mo. Mar. 16, 2020), and in several other cases proceeding in various federal and state courts.
    • Lead counsel for Eli Lilly and Company in multiple lawsuits, including two nationwide class actions and two state attorney general actions, alleging fraudulent pricing of insulin. Obtained dismissal of RICO claims brought on behalf of nationwide consumer class.
    • National counsel for airbag manufacturer Takata in multi-jurisdictional mass tort and class action litigation, and in related DOJ, NHTSA, Congressional, and state attorney general investigations arising from the largest automotive recall in history.
    • Lead counsel for leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in a putative nationwide class action alleging the underfilling of prescription inhalers.
    • Represented GSK in lawsuits brought by third-party payors and state attorneys general alleging the artificial inflation of average wholesale prices (AWPs). Obtained trial and appellate victories in cases brought by the State of Alabama and Commonwealth of Kentucky.

    • Successfully intervened and defended a FOIA action against FDA on behalf of the Animal Health Institute.
    • Representation of numerous clients in insurance coverage proceedings arising from large-scale accidents, including pipeline explosion, train derailment, and underground chemical release.

    Areas of Expertise

  • Credentials
    Education
    • Harvard Law School, J.D., 2005
        • cum laude
        • Harvard Civil Rights – Civil Liberties Law Review, Executive Articles Editor
    • Harvard University, B.A., 2002
        • magna cum laude
    Bar Admissions
    • District of Columbia
    • New Jersey
    Pro Bono
    • Lead counsel for plaintiffs in Vote Forward v. DeJoy, action challenging USPS policy changes that threatened slowdown of mail delivery during the 2020 election. Obtained a series of affirmative injunctions to ensure timely delivery of mail ballots.
    • Secured nationwide injunctions in Kravitz v. United States Department of Commerce and Useche v. Trump, separate actions challenging inclusion of a citizenship question on the 2020 Census and exclusion of undocumented immigrants from post-Census apportionment base.
    • Represented individuals and voting rights groups in multiple pre- and post-election lawsuits in Pennsylvania and Michigan to prevent voter disenfranchisement in 2020 elections.
    • Co-lead counsel for Plaintiffs in Morningside v. Sabree, action challenging unlawful and discriminatory tax foreclosures in the City of Detroit.
    • Representation of plaintiffs in a putative class action against the United States Postal Service for failure to provide reasonable accommodations to deaf postal workers.
    • Representation of tenants in multiple cases challenging housing conditions, unlawful rent increases, and wrongful eviction attempts.
    • Six month full-time assignment at Neighborhood Legal Services Program, providing legal representation and assistance to low-income DC residents on various issues, including landlord-tenant law, domestic law, public benefits hearings, employment law, and consumer law.
    Accolades
    • The National Law Journal, "D.C. Rising Star" (2017) 
    • Law360, Product Liability "Rising Star" (2017)
    • Legal 500 US, Litigation - Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense - Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (2015-2017) 
    • Washington DC Super Lawyers, "Rising Star" (2014-2015)

    Areas of Expertise

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