Christina Lee Gaarder

Representative Matters

• Part of a Venable team serving as national coordinating counsel for an international pharmaceutical defendant, in lawsuits filed in multiple jurisdictions, involving prescription osteoporosis medication and numerous allegations of injury. Responsibilities included participating in the development of overall case strategy, overseeing case management, overseeing and managing local counsel, coordinating offensive and defensive discovery, and handling individual case work, up through depositions
• Part of a Venable team serving as national counsel for international pharmaceutical defendants, in lawsuits filed in several jurisdictions. Lawsuits allege that the clients’ medication causes numerous birth injuries. Responsibilities included participating in the development of overall case strategy, overseeing case management, handling individual case work up through depositions, overseeing pretrial preparations, and assisting and participating in pretrial argument
• Obtained a defense verdict as a member of the trial team for an international pharmaceutical defendant in a lawsuit involving a prescription epilepsy medication
• Managed expert and scientific development in vaccine litigation, including identifying and preparing defense expert witnesses on issues relating to efficacy and immunogenicity
• Litigated cases involving a generic osteoporosis medication alleged to cause jaw injuries. Cases were coordinated through an MDL. After discovery and motions practice, all lawsuits against the client were dismissed
• Litigated cases involving hormone replacement therapy medication with allegations of multiple injuries, including breast cancer
• Served as first chair in representing Ford Motor Company, in Maryland and the District of Columbia, in products liability matters involving personal injury and property damages

Education

• J.D. University of Virginia School of Law 1995
• • Dillard Fellow
  • Environmental Law Journal, Editorial Board
• B.S. cum laude Duke University 1992
• Dean's List with Distinction

Bar Admissions

• Maryland

Court Admissions

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

• Benchmark Litigation
  • Local Litigation Star, 2023 – 2024
  • Future Stars, Maryland, 2011 – 2019
  • Top 250 Women in Litigation, 2012
• Legal 500
  • Product Liability, Mass Torts and Class Action; Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices; Defense, 2016
  • Dispute Resolution - Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action - Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2024