Ulmer & Berne LLP continues to grow its Product Liability Practice Group with the addition of four talented associates – Elaine M. Stoll, Michelle M. Thompson, Kaeanna K. Wood, and Mengxue Xie. Stoll, Thompson, and Wood join the group in the firm’s Cincinnati office, while Xie is based in the firm’s Cleveland office.
“We’re very pleased to have these four talented associates join Ulmer’s Product Liability team,” said Jeffrey F. Peck, Chair of Ulmer’s Product Liability Practice Group. “Their excellent academic backgrounds, professional accomplishments, and insights from their unique experiences are attributes that will benefit our clients and enhance our already deep bench of talented product liability litigators.”
Stoll has extensive experience analyzing case-critical issues, identifying and developing case strategy, and preparing key motions and briefs during all stages of litigation. Her work has resulted in judgment as a matter of law in favor of clients on high-risk claims, exclusion of key plaintiffs’ evidence from trial, and affirmance of defense judgments on appeal. Stoll received her undergraduate degree from Smith College, and her law degree cum laude from University of Cincinnati College of Law.
Thompson has experience with complex litigation and worked closely with clients to resolve critical matters. She also is experienced in handling civil appellate cases, having successfully argued in several appellate courts. She previously served as a judicial intern to Chief Magistrate Judge Sharon L. Ovington of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Thompson received her undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Saint Xavier University, and her law degree from University of Dayton School of Law.
Wood has a strong understanding of civil litigation, and has handled various aspects of the litigation process, including pleadings and motion practice, pretrial discovery, and trial preparation. She has served as a law clerk and extern to several judges, including as a law clerk to the Honorable David Wiggins of the Iowa Supreme Court. Wood received her undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Rockhurst University, and her law degree from the University of Missouri School of Law where she was a member of The Order of Barristers.
Xie has broad experience with civil litigation matters and has assisted with discovery, motion practice, and trial preparation. Previously, she served as a legal intern with the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, and assisted with the prosecution of the defendants responsible for the assassination of Lebanon’s former prime minister. Xie received her undergraduate degree from China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing, China, and her law degree from Case Western Reserve University School of Law. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
These new associates join Ulmer’s robust team of product liability litigators who are nationally recognized for successfully managing matters that are complex, both legally and scientifically, and for their unique and comprehensive approach to addressing clients’ needs. Serving as counsel to numerous companies in the bioscience, pharmaceutical, medical device, and dietary supplement industries, Ulmer’s Product Liability Practice Group is a recognized leader that has helped and continues to help set important legal precedent shaping the litigation landscape for those industries. The practice is part of Ulmer’s respected Litigation Department, which was recently named “Ohio Firm of the Year” by Benchmark Litigation for an unprecedented third year in a row and for the fourth time in the last six years.