Press Release

Morgan Lewis Trial Win Named Among Daily Journal Top Verdicts for 2021

February 09, 2022

ORANGE COUNTY, February 9, 2022: Morgan Lewis has been recognized by Daily Journal for the firm’s complete victory in defending Teva Pharmaceuticals and four affiliates from public nuisance, false advertising, and unfair competition claims made by three California counties and the city of Oakland on behalf of the People of the State of California in its 2021 list of Top Verdicts. The annual compilation highlights the largest and most significant verdicts and appellate reversals in California.

Last year, following a monthslong virtual trial in which the People were seeking more than $50 billion in remedies, Morgan Lewis partners Collie James and Wendy West Feinstein and associate Adam Teitcher secured the first trial win for drug companies, including Teva, in litigation filed by state and local governments stemming from the opioids crisis. The California Superior Court ruled there was inadequate evidence to prove that Teva engaged in any wrongful marketing or than an increase in opioid prescriptions occurred as a result of the inappropriate allocation of pain medications to patients in need.

In addition to earning a place among Daily Journal’s Top Defense Verdicts of 2021, the team, and their successful trial strategy, was featured among The Am Law Litigation Daily’s Litigators of the Week.