Donald F Zimmer Jr (Fritz)

Donald F. “Fritz” Zimmer, Jr. is a partner in King & Spalding’s Tort and Environmental Litigation Group and is Managing Partner of the firm’s San Francisco office. His practice is primarily focused on the defense of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and toxic substances. He also represents clients in commercial, intellectual property, and employment litigation, along with disputes involving consumer products and industrial equipment. Mr. Zimmer has served as national, regional and trial counsel for a variety of pharmaceutical and other companies in mass tort litigation. He has been a member of national trial and science teams dating back to the silicone breast implant and fen-phen litigation and more recently in connection with gastrointestinal, antipsychotic, and diabetes medications. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, he was a partner at Drinker Biddle & Reath and was previously a founding partner in Preuss Shanagher Zvoleff & Zimmer LLP.

Mr. Zimmer is a past member of the Board of Directors of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), is an active member of the Defense Research Institute (DRI), was named a Northern California “Super Lawyer” for the past four years, and is one of the “Best Lawyers in America” for products liability. He is a frequent speaker and writer on topics related to product liability and litigation strategy and served as a Faculty Member for the 2002 IADC Trial Academy in Boulder, Colorado.

Memberships

• International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  
  
• Member, IADC Board of Directors (2007-2010) and former Vice President of IADC Foundation
  
  
• Faculty Member, 2002 IADC Trial Academy
  
  
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  
  
• Member, DRI Drug & Medical Device Steering Committee
  
  
• Past Chairman, Golden Gate Chapter, American Diabetes Association (ADA)

Selected Publications/Presentations

• “View From the Bench: Current Judicial Views on Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation” -- ACI Drug and Medical Device Litigation Conference, Moderator, New York, December 2012
  
  
•  “The Learned Intermediary Doctrine Under Attack” - DRI Drug & Medical Device Seminar, Speaker and author of paper, San Francisco, May 2010
  
  
•  “Hot Topics: Preemption, HIPAA, CAFA, State AG Investigations, and E-Discovery” - DRI Drug & Medical Device Seminar, Speaker and author of paper, San Francisco, May 2007
  
  
•  “Who Pays for Electronic Data Translation?  A Case Analysis of FRCP 34 and CCP 2031”-  IADC Drug, Device and Biotech Committee Newsletter, March 2005
  
  
•  “Lessons Learned in 10 years of Mass Torts” - Panel Presentation on MDL coordination procedures - IADC Annual Meeting; Maui, HI, July 2003
  
  
•  “Hot Topics: Federalism, Privacy, Preemption and Discovery”- DRI Drug & Medical Device Seminar, Speaker and author of paper, San Francisco, May 2002
  
  
•  “California Summary Judgment Standards in Toxic Tort Cases: Look Before You Leap” - IADC Toxic and Hazardous Substances Committee Newsletter, January 2001
  
  
•  “A Medicolegal Evaluation of Reversible Contraceptives” - Contemporary OB/GYN, Vol. 45, No. 5, May, 2000
  
  
•  “California’s Anti-SLAPP Statute and Pharmaceutical Free Speech” - IADC Drug, Device and Biotech Committee Newsletter, April, 2000
  
  
•  “How to Avoid, Control and Limit Depositions of Top Executives” - American Conference Institute (ACI) Drug & Medical Device Litigation Seminar - New York, December, 1997
  
  
•  “Dealing with the Co-Defendant Physician: A Manufacturer’s Perspective” - American Conference Institute (ACI) Drug & Medical Device Litigation Seminar, New York, December, 1996
  
  
•  “Avoiding Litigation in a New Age of IUDs” - Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey, Vol. 51, No. 12, December 1996