Troutman Pepper Locke Grows Health Care and Life Sciences Litigation Practice With Addition of Partners Andreas Ringstad and Debra Schreck

Experienced Trial Attorneys Bring Significant Mass Tort, Product Liability, and Government Investigations Capabilities to High-Stakes Life Sciences Disputes

PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK – Troutman Pepper Locke has strengthened its Health Care and Life Sciences Litigation Practice Group with the addition of partners Andreas Ringstad in Philadelphia and Debra Schreck in New York. Their arrivals deepen the firm’s bench across mass tort defense, product liability, government investigations, and health care enforcement.

Ringstad joins Troutman Pepper Locke from Campbell Conroy & O’Neil, where he represented clients in national mass tort and toxic tort defense matters. Schreck joins from Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP, where she represented pharmaceutical and medical device clients in federal and state litigation and government investigations, and conducted large-scale internal investigations.

“Health care and life sciences is a key industry sector for the firm, and as litigation work in this space continues to grow in complexity and scale, Andreas and Debra will further strengthen our capabilities in this area,” said Sean Fahey, chair of Troutman Pepper Locke’s Health Care and Life Sciences Department.

“Andreas brings mass tort defense experience forged in the trenches of pharmaceutical and environmental litigation, while Debra brings a track record supporting clients through highly consequential government investigations and litigation matters. Together, they further strengthen our ability to guide clients through any high-stakes dispute they face,” he added.

Ringstad frequently works on matters in the pharmaceutical, opioid, and environmental contamination sectors, defending companies and individuals in high-exposure personal injury and mass tort litigation. He has managed large-scale pharmaceutical mass tort dockets, led scientific strategy involving toxicology, epidemiology, and industrial hygiene in drinking-water contamination litigation, and defended water utilities and environmental engineering firms against water quality class actions. His experience spans the full litigation lifecycle, from pleadings and discovery through depositions, expert challenges, summary judgment, and trial preparation.

“Troutman Pepper Locke has built a destination for top talent in the life sciences space. The opportunity to reunite with former colleagues, including Ryan O’Neil, who joined the firm earlier this year, was a significant draw. I know firsthand the caliber of the firm’s lawyers and look forward to renewing those relationships and contributing to the team’s continued momentum,” said Ringstad.

Schreck is a trusted advisor for life sciences clients, representing pharmaceutical and medical device companies in connection with complex criminal and civil investigations by federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, and state attorneys general. She defends companies in federal and state litigation, including actions brought by the government and qui tam relators under the False Claims Act (FCA), and involving the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Anti-Kickback Statute, and other health care statutes and regulations. She also conducts large-scale internal investigations on health care and workplace integrity matters.

“Troutman Pepper Locke’s combination of industry depth, sophisticated litigation experience, regulatory capabilities, and integrated national reach is unique,” added Schreck. “Life sciences companies are facing evolving enforcement and litigation challenges on many fronts, from FCA litigation and government investigations to product liability exposure. I’m eager to join a nationally recognized firm with the breadth and agility to help clients navigate these interconnected challenges.”

Troutman Pepper Locke’s leading Health Care and Life Sciences Department encompasses the entire spectrum of legal services for health care and life sciences companies. The team collaborates across disciplines to solve complex legal challenges confronting clients, offering a full suite of corporate, intellectual property, regulatory, and litigation services. Few law firms have a comparable health care and life sciences practice, and Troutman Pepper Locke draws on its deep industry knowledge to provide the precise, holistic advice and guidance clients need throughout their business cycles.

Troutman Pepper Locke

Troutman Pepper Locke helps clients solve complex legal challenges and achieve their business goals in an ever-changing global economy. With more than 1,600 attorneys in 30+ offices, the firm serves clients in all major industry sectors, with particular depth in energy, financial services, health care and life sciences, insurance and reinsurance, private equity, and real estate. Learn more at troutman.com.