Lauren E. O'Donnell

Biography

CO-CHAIR, GENERAL LITIGATION PRACTICE GROUP

Lauren O’Donnell regularly counsels clients in white collar criminal defense matters, internal investigations, and healthcare fraud and abuse. She also regularly handles products liability cases, defending companies that design and manufacture medical devices and pharmaceuticals, as well as chemical companies, in federal and state litigation.

While in law school, Lauren served as a judicial intern to the Honorable Petrese Tucker of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, as well as the Honorable John T. J. Kelly, Jr. of the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. She was also an editor of the Temple Journal of Science Technology and Environmental Law, and she served as a teaching assistant for the Legal Research and Writing Program.

Experience

  • Second-chaired state court bench trial securing two-million-dollar verdict in client’s favor in breach of contract case.  
  • National litigation counsel for a major generic drug manufacturer and distributor for product liability claims related to the use of opioids, including claims consolidated in the In re: National Prescription Opiate Litigation MDL 2804.
  • National litigation counsel for a major drug distributor for claims related to ranitidine, including claims consolidated in the In re: Zantac (Ranitidine) Products Liability Litigation MDL 2924.
  • Regular representation of health care clients in Medicare audits, as well as off-label marketing, Stark, and kick-back matters. 
  • Second-chaired bench trial that resulted in client verdict for several million dollars in breach of contract claim.
  • Regular representation of chemical companies in state court cases alleging personal injury due to benzene exposure.
  • Representation of product manufacturers in recall actions before the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
  • Secured dismissal of Office of Inspector General $29.9 million Medicare overpayment demand to healthcare client.
  • Regular representation of health care providers in False Claims Act cases, including two cases in which government declined to intervene, one of which the relator dismissed after government declined to intervene.
  • Successfully defended a breathalyzer manufacturer in putative class action lawsuit, securing dismissal at a very early stage of the litigation.
  • Secured early dismissal of drug company in two personal injury cases alleging damages from contaminated products.
  • Secured early dismissal of chemical company in personal injury case pending in federal court, and secured voluntary dismissal of chemical company on morning of jury selection in case pending in state court.
  • Successfully defended medical device company in personal injury case related to allegedly defective screws.
  • Secured early dismissal of medical device company in personal injury case related to allegedly defective surgical plates.
  • Second-chaired two week trial defending doctor and hospital against claims of medical malpractice.
  • Represented a housing authority in internal investigation and eventual separation of the employment of several high-level employees.
  • Represented a wholesale distributor of cigarettes in internal investigation, as well as federal forfeiture, state tax, and state criminal proceedings.
  • Successfully represented a public entity in a federal environmental grand jury investigation.
  • Represented a registered investment adviser in enforcement action brought by Securities and Exchange Commission.
  • Successfully represented pro bono client in resentencing and ultimately secured his release, after he had been initially sentenced as a juvenile to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
  • Secured dismissal of pro bono client in personal injury lawsuit.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2017–2019, “Pennsylvania Rising Star” in White Collar Crimes, listed in Super Lawyers®
  • 2018, “Lawyers on the Fast Track,” listed in The Legal Intelligencer
  • 2011 and 2014–2017, First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Pro Bono Roll of Honor

Affiliations

Memberships

  • American Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Temple University School of Law Alumni Association
Professional Activities

Lauren serves on the firm’s Recruiting and Retention Committee, and she co-chaired the Summer Associate Program in 2015.

Credentials

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court - New Jersey

Education

  • Boston University, BA, summa cum laude
  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, JD, magna cum laude