Yardena R. Zwang-Weissman

A member of Morgan Lewis’s crisis management team, Yardena represents clients in high-profile disputes, where strategic coordination, the development and implementation of overarching strategy across teams and the management of the multiple components of crisis-driven litigation is essential to the defense. She advises clients in matters involving novel, developing, and multifaceted issues related to science, medicine, technology, and the environment.

Among her key representations, Yardena has acted as national, coordinating and litigation counsel leading the defense of large, complex matters often involving environmental, tort and product related disputes concerning alleged air, soil, water, and groundwater contamination in multiple jurisdictions, including several in which she served in critical roles on trial teams. She represents clients in both federal and state court in cases involving various substances such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), perchlorate, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), dioxin, furan, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), lead, asbestos, benzene, talc and silica.

While in law school, Yardena served as an extern for Justice Carlos Moreno of the Supreme Court of California and Judge S. James Otero of the Central District of California. She also served as the notes editor for the Hastings Law Journal.

• Served as coordinating and litigation counsel for Sempra Energy and Southern California Gas Company in litigation and regulatory matters involving the Aliso Canyon gas leak in Porter Ranch, California.
• Represents clients in litigation and other matters related to allegations involving exposure to PFAS.
• Secured summary adjudication of various causes of action and then prevailed at trial on remaining claims related to alleged groundwater contamination on behalf of a global manufacturer.
• Represented a leading paper manufacturer in a jury trial regarding multi-billion dollar environmental dispute with a local government that resulted in a defense verdict.
• Secured dismissal of a federal nationwide class action at the pleading stage for a financial services institution involving allegations of unfair competition and fraud.
• Successfully resolved an environmental matter regarding alleged groundwater contamination and cost recovery claims during trial.
• Successfully resolved environmental matters regarding alleged soil and air contamination on behalf of multiple clients prior to trial.
• Managed discovery and trial preparation in the representation of a manufacturer and supplier in hundreds of product liability cases, including developing defenses, working with fact and expert witnesses, and taking dozens of depositions.