Brian W. Shaffer

Partner

Brian W. Shaffer is a partner in Morgan Lewis's Litigation Practice. Mr. Shaffer concentrates his practice in the areas of products liability, mass torts, and complex business disputes. He has experience representing pharmaceutical, medical device, chemical, petroleum, and construction products companies in a variety of complex matters, including class actions, MDL proceedings, and serial litigation at the trial and appellate levels. Mr. Shaffer has successfully defeated a number of state and nationwide class actions at the motion to dismiss and class certification stages. He has a specific background in the areas of federal jurisdiction and preemption, as well as drug and device pricing, labeling, and warning issues.

In 2002, Mr. Shaffer and another Morgan Lewis partner tried a three-week jury trial in Minnesota state court involving breach of contract and fraud claims, which resulted in a $29.6 million jury verdict on behalf of his clients. The verdict was listed by The National Law Journal as one of the Top 100 Verdicts of 2002 and reportedly was the largest jury verdict ever awarded in that court. Mr. Shaffer also has trial experience on behalf of defendants, including state court trials in Pennsylvania and Colorado involving products liability, civil conspiracy, negligence, and fraud claims.

Mr. Shaffer has represented owners and contractors in complex commercial and construction matters involving large power facilities, federal prisons, and sports arenas. He assists construction industry clients in developing and pursuing project-related claims and in drafting and negotiating contracts. Mr. Shaffer also regularly counsels and represents life sciences and biotech companies in a variety of litigation and prelitigation contexts. He has successfully resolved numerous disputes through the use of arbitration, mediation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Mr. Shaffer has lectured on strategies for defending class actions and other toxic tort matters and co-authored an article foretelling the increased use of civil conspiracy theories in mass tort litigation. He is active in the firm’s drug and medical device litigation practice, and he is the vice-chair of the Philadelphia office’s Professional Recruiting Committee. Mr. Shaffer currently serves on the board of directors of Greene Towne School, a Montessori preschool and kindergarten in Center City, Philadelphia.

Mr. Shaffer is admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.