Jennifer Eppensteiner

Background

About Jennifer Eppensteiner

I am committed to supporting pharmaceutical and medical device clients who advance therapies that enhance patients’ well-being. My practice focuses primarily on complex product liability litigation, including federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) and consolidated state court actions. I am Counsel in the Reed Smith's Life Sciences Health Industry Group. Specifically, I have experience in mass tort litigations involving both prescription and over-the-counter products. Representative products include contraceptives, testosterone replacement therapy products, and vaginal mesh. I have also handled single plaintiff matters involving a variety of products. I have experience in all aspects of litigation, seeing cases from early case assessment and initial filings through resolution. I have counseled clients regarding the establishment of multidistrict litigations, and have had responsibility for drafting master responsive pleadings, initial pretrial orders, and uniform discovery. I have also provided guidance regarding selection of bellwether trial pool plaintiffs. I regularly depose expert witnesses, treating physicians, and fact witnesses, in addition to preparing company witnesses for their deposition. I have defended clients in general commercial matters including breach of contract, defamation claims and various premises liability actions. I also have experience interviewing witnesses in connection with internal investigations in fraud and abuse claims, including alleged violations of the False Claims Act. I advise clients on best practices for regulatory compliance, including designing training programs and external-facing communications. In addition to my mass tort litigation work, I maintain an active pro bono practice which includes representing children in the foster care system through the Support Center for Child Advocates. I have successfully negotiated settlements on behalf of plaintiffs through the Prisoner Civil Rights Panel Program in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. I also represent indigent clients through programs such as the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice program. I currently serve in a leadership capacity within Reed Smith’s Women’s Initiative Network for the firm’s Princeton office. I am also an active member of DRI, and am a member of the Drug and Medical Device Steering Committee.