Eric Rumanek

Eric defends clients in litigation involving mass tort, personal injury, and wrongful death claims. As a sought-after trial attorney for one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, he has trial-to-verdict experience in federal and state courts throughout the U.S. Eric has significant experience with multidistrict litigation (MDL), has served as lead counsel in “virtual firms” for large mass torts, and also defends clients against single-plaintiff claims.

Equally comfortable with science and the law, Eric is recognized for his ability to effectively communicate his clients’ products and technologies to diverse audiences. His experience spans a diverse range of products and therapeutic applications, from hip replacement devices to cosmetic injectables.

Eric is also passionate about serving his community. He and his wife have served as certified foster parents to multiple children and he has held various leadership roles at his church. Eric has also coached several youth sports teams.

• Served as lead trial counsel in a significant toxic tort litigation involving 400 cases in Georgia, focusing on alleged injuries from ethylene oxide emissions. The first jury trial resulted in mistrial on a key legal issue. 
• Terri Freeman, et al v. Ethicon, Inc., et al., No. 2:20-cv-10661-CBM (C.D.CA) (2022) –Trial counsel for Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson in a pelvic mesh case remanded from the MDL proceedings. The plaintiffs requested $50 million during closing arguments. Secured a complete defense verdict.
• Benestad, et al v. Ethicon, Inc., et al., No. 0:20-cv-60496 (S.D.Fla.) (2023) –Trial counsel for Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson in a pelvic mesh case remanded from the MDL proceedings. The plaintiff sought more than $10 million in damages. Secured a complete defense verdict.
• Dandy v. Ethicon Women’s Health and Urology, et al., No. 3:20-CV-00431 (D.N.J.) (2023) – Trial counsel for Ethicon and Johnson & Johnson in a pelvic mesh case remanded from the MDL proceedings. The plaintiff sought more than $10 million in damages. Secured a complete defense verdict.
• Johnson v. BioSense Webster, Inc., No. 19-CV-35Eau Claire County, Wis. Cir.) (2023) –Trial counsel for BioSense Webster, Inc., a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, in a catastrophic injury case involving a patient who developed a stroke following a cardiac ablation procedure. Claims against our client resolved mid-trial.
• Ahmed v. Johnson & Johnson Health Care Systems, Inc. et al., No. 1:22-cv-190 (S.D. Ala.) (2024) – Trial counsel for DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson in a hip implant case. Secured complete defense verdict.
• King v. DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., et al., No. CV-23-00196-PHX-SMB (D. Ariz.) (2024) – Trial counsel for DePuy Orthopaedics and Johnson & Johnson in hip implant case. Secured a complete defense verdict.
• Co-authored an amicus brief supporting a petition for a writ of certiorari before the U.S. Supreme Court in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Connors (No. 20-1149). The pending case involves claims brought by the Hawaii attorney general in which two drug companies were denied a federal forum to raise First Amendment claims. On behalf of amici, the brief threads together the combined unfairness of being denied a federal forum to raise First Amendment challenges with the due process concerns of private counsel in certain state attorney general matters.
• Served as lead trial counsel and national discovery counsel, and managed more than 10 expert witnesses for a global pharmaceutical company in multidistrict litigation involving thousands of pelvic mesh lawsuits.
• Served as national counsel for a global pharmaceutical company in ongoing product liability matters arising out of recalled knee injections.
• Developed case strategy as part of the core national defense/trial team and regularly argued before the MDL court on behalf of a global pharmaceutical company as one of the leads in an ongoing MDL involving hernia mesh.
• Served as national counsel for a global pharmaceutical company defending claims involving a cosmetic facial filler device. Obtained dismissals as a matter of law, argued multiple appeals, and reached favorable settlements in remaining matters.

• Benchmark Litigation: “Future Litigation Star” in Georgia (2025)
• Best Lawyers in America®: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (2025-2026)
• Chambers USA: Product Liability & Mass Torts, USA Nationwide (2020-2025) and Litigation: Product Liability, Georgia (2025)
• Legal 500 United States: Dispute Resolution: Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices – Defense (2021-2024)
• Law360: “Rising Star” (2021)
• Benchmark Litigation: Litigation Star (2022, 2023); Future Litigation Star (2021, 2024)
• Benchmark Litigation: Rising Stars Under 40 (2016-2017)
• Benchmark Litigation: 40 & Under Hot List (2016, 2020-2023)