The Lanier Law Firm

Firm Founder: W Mark Lanier
Number of attorneys: 52

Firm Overview:
Founded in 1990 by Mark Lanier, The Lanier Law Firm represents a variety of individuals and businesses. The firm is home to some of the nation’s most respected trial lawyers, and has compiled an impressive record of courtroom wins and significant settlements ensuring justice on behalf of individual consumers and businesses. Several of the firm’s attorneys have served as counsel to large national insurance companies, giving them valuable insights on building the strongest case on behalf of individual clients. The firm’s attorneys offer a distinct blend of compassion, empathy and zealousness, and are committed to achieving nothing less for their clients than the fullest remedies available under law.

Main Areas of Practice: 

Pharmaceutical & Medical Device Litigation:
The Lanier Law Firm is a pioneer in its involvement in numerous claims involving pharmaceuticals and medical devices. The firm garnered national attention during its VIOXX litigation, most notably winning a substantial verdict against Merck & Co. in the very first VIOXX lawsuit to go to trial as well as securing two additional very significant plaintiff verdicts.

Since 2016, the firm has secured three separate jury verdicts totaling nearly $2 billion against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary DePuy Orthopaedics Inc. on behalf of individuals injured by defective metal-on-metal hip implants. While each of these awards was later reduced to align with Texas state laws limiting punitive damages, in each of these cases jurors concluded that the devices are defective and that company officials knew about the flaws but failed to warn patients and doctors of the risks.

The Lanier Law Firm has also negotiated significant settlements for clients who have suffered injuries involving such dangerous drugs as Risperdal, Xarelto, Actos, and the prescription birth control pills Yaz, Yasmin and Ocella.

Asbestos & Toxic Exposure:
The firm is one of the nation’s most experienced law firms in assessing the scientific and medical issues that are common in asbestos and toxic exposure claims. Exposure to common chemicals and substances that have positive and helpful uses also can be dangerous or even fatal, and all too often can be discharged into a workplace or the surrounding environment through accident or negligence.

For more than two decades The Lanier Law Firm has represented dozens of families and victims of toxic exposures, and in particular has gained an impressive depth of knowledge and expertise in securing justice for the victims of mesothelioma. The firm has secured substantial recoveries based on the defendants’ liability for marketing and design defects, negligence and malice. This experience and reputation for courtroom excellence gives the firm added leverage to negotiate significant settlements in advance of trial on behalf of its clients.

Business Litigation:
In addition to representing individuals, The Lanier Law Firm has significant experience working on behalf of businesses in cases involving breach of contract, patent infringement, oil and gas litigation, employment disputes, antitrust, fraud, and other causes of action. In several instances these legal actions have been brought against larger competitors using unfair and illegal business practices to gain a competitive edge.

The firm’s approach to business litigation has resulted in several noteworthy — and often highly confidential — recoveries for its clients. Increasingly the firm is being called on to represent corporate defendants, as executives and in-house legal departments recognize the value of having experienced, aggressive and empathetic trial counsel. The perspective offered through the firm’s extensive work on behalf of plaintiffs has proved invaluable in developing the strategic approach to these cases, anticipating the moves of opposing counsel and securing successful resolutions in court and at the negotiating table.

Product Liability Litigation:
When a consumer buys a product, they rightfully expect it to perform safely and efficiently. Unfortunately, that isn’t always the case. For years, The Lanier Law Firm has represented consumers who have been seriously injured by defective products, both at home and in the workplace.

Perhaps most notably, in 2018 the firm secured a $4.6 billion verdict on behalf of 22 women and their families against Johnson & Johnson, based on the company’s knowledge and negligence regarding the toxic effects of talcum powder use. The trial presented evidence that Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower products have been tainted with asbestos for decades, despite the company’s repeated denials. The award was subsequently reduced to $2.2 billion by the appellate courts, a judgment that was later upheld following consideration by the United States Supreme Court.

This work is just one example of the significant verdicts and settlements against manufacturers for the design, development and sale of unsafe products. The result has been the marketing of safer toys, furniture, automobiles and other products. While no amount of money can truly compensate a family for a debilitating injury or the loss of a loved one, there is gratification in knowing that, in the future, consumers might not be put at the same degree of risk.

Personal Injury Litigation:
Individuals, through no fault of their own, can be seriously injured by the negligence of others. The Lanier Law Firm is nationally recognized for the firm’s experience and tenacity in gaining substantial compensation to support families recovering from devastating injuries, or even the wrongful death of loved ones. When faced with the significant resources of many defendants, the firm’s years in the courtroom and state-of-the-art preparation provides a level playing field against major insurance companies, manufacturers, retailers and transportation companies.

In addition, the firm has vast experience representing injured workers in all maritime-related catastrophic injuries. Several of the firm’s attorneys have a wealth of knowledge in this distinct area of the law, including advanced degrees and specialized certifications and designations.

Contacts: 

Firm Founder: Mark Lanier

Managing Attorney, The Lanier Law Firm: Dara Hegar

National Mass Tort Leader and Director of Business Development: Rick Meadow

Managing Attorney, Business Litigation: Alex Brown

Managing Attorney, New York Office: Evan Janush

Managing Attorney, Issues and Appeals: Kevin Parker

Managing Attorney, Personal Injury, Product Liability & Maritime Litigation: Jud Waltman