Jennifer Snyder Heis
Partner
Jeni has more than 20 years of experience defending manufacturers and distributors of pharmaceutical products and dietary supplements. She has represented these companies in complex litigation, including multidistrict litigation and consolidated state court proceedings, as well as individual cases throughout the country. She focuses on developing effective legal strategies for the defense of multiple related lawsuits in multiple venues and is experienced in handling all aspects of state and federal litigation including trial. Her product liability experience also extends to a wide variety of other industries, including consumer products, construction and industrial machinery, and household appliances. She also counsels food and dietary supplement companies on regulatory issues, including labeling and risk management, and has experience counseling clients regarding the Drug Supply Chain Security Act.
As a key member of teams that formulate nationwide litigation strategies, Jeni has substantial experience working through e-discovery issues , and has argued e-discovery issues in a variety of court settings. Jeni also has extensive experience defending corporate representatives and deposing witnesses in the fields of regulatory affairs, cardiology, OB/GYN, gastroenterology, dermatology, and neurology. Jeni is adept at using such testimony to execute winning strategies, including through Daubert motions and summary judgment.
Education & Admissions
Education
- Kenyon College
(B.A., 1998)
- Emory University School of Law
(J.D. 2001)
Admissions
- State of Ohio
- State of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
Experience
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Experienced in handling complex litigation, including multidistrict litigation and mass tort proceedings, involving manufacturers and distributors of drugs and dietary supplements nationwide.
- Has handled complex cases involving dietary supplements, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, oral contraceptives, isotretinoin, antibiotics, prescription pain medications, chemotherapy drugs, and histamine blockers, as well as various medical devices.
- Skilled in developing experts in multiple areas of expertise.
- Defended a national broker-dealer against claims of negligence and Ohio Securities Act violations arising from a Ponzi scheme.
- Represented health care providers in all aspects of professional malpractice suits including trial.
- Skilled in developing successful arguments for summary judgment and other dispositive motions.
- Adept at resolving cases through alternative dispute resolution.
- Handles all aspects of state and federal litigation, including pleadings, motion practice, discovery, trial preparation, trial, appeal, and final case resolution.
- Addresses complex eDiscovery issues, including selecting appropriate vendors, identifying and collecting relevant materials for review and production, and using technology to make review and production efficient.
REPORTED CASES
- Cook v. Par Pharmaceutical, Inc., 849 Fed. Appx. 809 (11th Cir. 2021)
- Wenke v. Forest Laboratories, Inc., 796 Fed. Appx. 383 (9th Cir. 2020)
- Will v. Northwestern University (In re: Nutraquest, Inc.), 434 F.3d 639 (3rd Cir. 2006)
- Doe v. Hall, 260 Ga. App. 421, 579 S.E.2d 838 (2003)
Publications & Presentations
Publications
- “Sixth Circuit Product Liability Year-in-Review,” The Full Spectrum of Recent Product Decisions, DRI Product Liability Seminar (April 2009)
- “Keeping Settlement Secrets: Confidentiality of Settlement Agreements,” For the Defense (February 2007)
Presentations
- “Defending (your?) (our?) (their?) Food Product: Strategies for Food Industry Stakeholders in Complex Supply Chains,” Moderator, Food Law SLG Breakout at DRI Product Liability Seminar, San Diego, CA (February 2018)
- “Bad Blood? FDA Regulation of Laboratory Developed Tests and Potential Litigation Implications,” Moderator, Drug & Medical Device Committee Breakout at DRI Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (October 2017)
- “Making the Most of Mock Trials,” DRI Young Lawyers Seminar, Nashville, TN (June 2015)
- “State of the Union on Product Liability Class Actions,” Young Lawyers Breakout, DRI Product Liability Seminar, Phoenix, AZ (February 2008)
Involvement
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
- Georgia Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute (Law Institute, 2014-present; Steering Committee Member, Product Liability Committee, 2014-present; Steering Committee Member, Drug & Medical Device Committee, 2014-present; Chair, Young Lawyers Committee, 2013-2014; Steering Committee Member, Annual Meeting Committee, 2010-2011)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (Member, 2014-present; Vice Chair, Membership, Drug, Device & Biotechnology Committee, 2019-present)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Pro Bono Partnership of Ohio (Grow PBPO Ohio Advisory Board, 2021-present)
- Terrace Park Swim & Tennis Club (Board of Directors, 2017-present)
- Impact 100 (Member, 2011-2016; Grant Review Committee, 2011-2016)
- Kenyon College Cincinnati Regional Alumni Association (President, 2005-2011; Board Member, 2003-2005)
Honors
HONORS
- Named to the Who’s Who Legal list for Product Liability Defense (2021)
- Named to the Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (2010-2016)