Christopher J. Conoscenti

Representative Matters

• Representing the manufacturer of a vaccine used to prevent herpes zoster in nationwide litigation involving allegations that the vaccine causes a variety of injuries, including successfully arguing the client’s position before the JPML and developing overall litigation strategy across two state court consolidations and a federal MDL court. Efforts helped secure the mass dismissal of nearly 1,200 cases through the aggressive use of a Lone Pine order that was subsequently affirmed by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Played a role in the dismissal of nearly 200 cases based on conflict preemption, presented at multiple science day tutorials, and defended the depositions of key company witnesses in the areas of regulatory, pharmacovigilance, and marketing
• Representing the manufacturer of a vaccine used to prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) in nationwide litigation involving allegations that the vaccine causes autoimmune injuries. Deposed plaintiffs’ key regulatory expert and oversaw the Daubert briefing that led to an MDL court significantly restricting the expert’s testimony. Prepared a key company pharmacovigilance witness for trial testimony that spanned three court days
• Representing a pharmaceutical manufacturer of an osteoporosis medication in nationwide litigation involving allegations that the medication causes osteonecrosis of the jaw and atypical femur fractures, including serving on multiple trial teams, developing the company case, preparing company witnesses for deposition, and managing all aspects of discovery, with direct supervisory responsibility for large review teams comprising associate attorneys, staff attorneys, and paralegals
• Serving as discovery counsel for an international pharmaceutical company; representation includes coordinating discovery positions across all litigations and investigations, advising on various issues relating to e-discovery, and helping to develop policies, procedures, and protocols related to the capture, storage, and production of electronically stored information (ESI)
• Drafted a brief to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of a vaccine manufacturer that led to the court affirming the grant court’s grant of summary judgment on limitations grounds
• Representing a pharmaceutical company against allegations that its medication caused birth defects and developmental delay; includes developing and defending medical and psychiatric expert witnesses and drafting pre-trial evidentiary motions
• Represented a healthcare organization in defense of a breach of contract lawsuit brought by a pharmaceutical repackaging company
• Represented a healthcare organization in a lawsuit against a roofing company and an insurer for breach of contract and negligence related to faulty roof installation
• On behalf of a Fortune 100 company, prepared a successful motion to dismiss a federal products liability lawsuit based on the sophisticated user doctrine

Education

• J.D. George Washington University Law School 2002
• B.A. University of Notre Dame 1999

Bar Admissions

• Maryland

Court Admissions

• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland

Professional Memberships and Activities

• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Maryland State Bar Association
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Member, Maryland Defense Counsel, Inc.

• Legal 500, Dispute Resolution - Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2024