Heidi Levine Joins Sidley in New York

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sidley
Austin LLP announced today that Heidi Levine has joined as a partner
and member of the firm’s Products Liability practice. With extensive
knowledge of products liability, mass torts and alternative dispute
resolution on a national and global scale, Ms. Levine will further
expand the firm’s litigation and investigations capabilities,
particularly in the life sciences industry. Prior to joining Sidley, she
was the New York co-managing partner of DLA Piper.

Ms. Levine focuses her practice on products liability and mass torts,
especially in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation. Her practice
also includes Foreign Corrupt Practices Act investigations in the global
pharmaceutical and medical device industry. She has represented clients
on the implementation and enhancement of anti-corruption and compliance
programs, policies and training. Ms. Levine has also provided general
advice and counsel to clients in the life sciences industry on various
other matters.

“Heidi is a welcome addition to our firm, which is already home to an
impressive group of trial lawyers,” said Steven Bierman, co-leader of
Sidley’s New York litigation practice and co-leader of the firm’s
Complex Commercial Litigation practice. “She has the perfect combination
of experience, leadership skills and personality to deepen our
litigation capabilities for our clients in the products liability and
life sciences sectors.”

In her role as national coordinating counsel and in representing clients
in federal and state courts, Ms. Levine has formulated and implemented
the pretrial, trial and/or resolution strategy, leading teams of lawyers
on all aspects of engagements, most often in multidistrict litigation
proceedings. Additionally, Ms. Levine has significant experience in
alternative dispute resolution globally. She has designed and
implemented resolution programs for companies faced with complex
litigation, usually multiplaintiff, mass tort claims. She has also
handled hundreds of settlement negotiations and formal mediations.

“We have known and worked closely with Heidi for many years,” said Sara
Gourley, co-leader of the firm’s Products Liability practice. “She is a
first-rate litigator with proven experience in handling complex,
high-stakes products liability litigation and mass tort cases for
clients, as well as counseling on compliance and regulatory issues.”

“Heidi is recognized for her innovative, strategic vision and
problem-solving approach, which our clients, especially in life
sciences, will value as we help them navigate challenging situations,”
said Maja Eaton, co-leader of the firm’s Products Liability practice.
“We look forward to working closely with her as we continue to grow the
firm’s products liability and life sciences practices.”

Ms. Levine held additional leadership positions and served on various
committees at her former law firm, including as a member of its
executive, policy and diversity committees. She was also head of the
products liability litigation practice in its New York office.

“I am truly excited to join Sidley,” said Ms. Levine. “Sidley’s talented
and collegial lawyers, whom I have known for a decade, and our shared
vision for the firm’s global life sciences practice, were a big draw for
me. I look forward to working closely with my fellow colleagues at
Sidley to help clients in the life sciences industry tackle the issues
that are pertinent to their success.”

With 1,900 lawyers in 19 offices worldwide, Sidley has built a
reputation as a premier legal adviser for global businesses and
financial institutions. Sidley has for the sixth year in a row received
the most first-tier national rankings in the U.S. News – Best Lawyers®
“Best Law Firms” survey. On Law360’s list of Global 20 Firms,
Sidley was ranked among the top law firms “with the greatest global
reach and expertise.” To stay up to date with the latest Sidley news,
please follow us on Twitter at @SidleyNewsroom.

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