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Bobby Woo focuses on product liability defense, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals and other consumer products.  He also serves as Deputy Team Leader for the firm’s Pharmaceutical/Medical Device Litigation Team, which Legal 500 recognized in 2020 and 2021 as one of the top five such practices in the country.  Voted by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America in 2021, Bobby has extensive experience in defending life sciences manufacturers in individual, mass tort, and multi-district litigation.

With more than 25 years of experience in state and federal courts, Bobby has represented pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in some of the largest mass torts in the last quarter century. 

In the late 1990s, Bobby was part of the King & Spalding team that represented 3M in the silicone breast implant litigation, defending the company in dozens of lawsuits relating to breast implants manufactured by 3M’s wholly-owned subsidiary McGhan Medical Corporation.  In the early 2000s, he participated in the earliest years of the opioid mass tort.  From 2001 to 2005, Bobby was part of the team that served as national coordinating co-counsel for Purdue Pharma in product liability litigation involving the pain medication OxyContin®.  In that phase of the litigation, Purdue obtained more than 400 dismissals, including over 30 orders granting summary judgment, and defeated 15 putative class actions.  Afterward, Bobby represented GlaxoSmithKline as part of the company's national coordinating counsel in product liability litigation involving the antidepressant Paxil®.  Bobby served as lead counsel for defendants in case conferences and special master hearings for the Paxil® pregnancy cases in the Pennsylvania Mass Tort Program, which at the time had been designated as the number one “Judicial Hellhole” in the country for two years running by the American Tort Reform Foundation.

Currently, Bobby is part of a team defending Coloplast in more than 300 filed cases in its female pelvic mesh litigation.  He represents the company in multi-district litigation, in post-MDL transferor courts, and in individual lawsuits.  He is also part of a King & Spalding team that is representing the major pharmaceutical manufacturer Janssen in more than 700 cases pending in MDL and MTP litigation.  These cases involve Elmiron®, a medication used to treat interstitial cystitis that was recently alleged to cause certain eye injuries.

In 2021, Bobby was voted by his peers as one of the Best Lawyers in America (Best Lawyers, 2021).  Bobby has also been recognized by Legal 500 (2010–2011) for Product Liability/Mass Tort defense in pharmaceutical and medical device cases. He has also received recognition in Georgia Super Lawyers magazine (2005–2007, 2009).

Bobby is active in pro bono representation, and in 2000 he received the H. Sol Clark Award, the highest pro bono award given by the State Bar of Georgia to an individual.  Bobby received this award for his work in securing equal benefits under the Temporary Aid for Need Families program for legal immigrants.  He is a former board member of the Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, and he continues to represent immigrants seeking asylum in the United States. 

Bobby is active in the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, which awarded him the Daniel K. Inouye Trailblazer Award, NAPABA’s highest honor, in 2002.  Bobby also received the inaugural Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award from the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association for his leadership in the Georgia APA legal community.  He is a past co-President of GAPABA and the current Vice President of the GAPABA Law Foundation.  Within our firm, Bobby has served on the Diversity and Hiring Committees, is the immediate-past Hiring Partner for the Atlanta office, and is on the Associates Committee for the Trial and Global Disputes practice area.  He is currently one of two partner liaisons for the firm’s Asian Affinity Group.

Bobby has appeared on panels addressing issues such as the attorney-client privilege, expert witnesses and scientific evidence, diversity, professionalism, and civil procedure.  For more than 15 years, he has been responsible for training the firm’s new attorneys on efficient legal research and time management techniques.  He is also one of the lawyers in charge of the firm’s Life Sciences Roundtable series, a monthly webinar series featuring topics of interest to healthcare, pharmaceutical, and medical device manufacturers, and also is the editor-in-chief of the firm’s annual Life Sciences CLE catalog.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Harvard University, cum laude

B.A., Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude

Georgia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Law Clerk, Hon. Stanley F. Birch Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (1994–Present; Co-President 1998-1999))

Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (Board Member 2006)

International Association of Defense Counsel (2008–2018)

Leadership Atlanta (2000)

Leadership DeKalb (1996)

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (1994-present )

Outstanding Atlanta (1998)

State Bar of Georgia (1995–Present)

State Bar of Georgia Access to Justice Committee (f/k/a Pro Bono Committee) (1999)

State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program (1999)

State Bar of Georgia, Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee (1999)

Supreme Court of Georgia's Commission on Fairness and Access in the Courts (2006–Present)

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers, 2021

Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices


Legal 500, 2010–2011

William E. Hoffmann Service Award


Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, 2014

Inaugural Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award


Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2014

Georgia Rising Star


Super Lawyers, 2005–2007, 2009

26 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia


Georgia Asian Times, 2008

Best 40 Under 40


Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2007

Community Leader Award


Organization of Chinese Americans, Georgia Chapter, 2003

Trailblazer Award and "Best Lawyers Under 40"


National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2002

H. Sol Clark Award


State Bar of Georgia, 2000

Young Lawyer Award


Anti-Defamation League, 2000

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Recognition

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers, 2021

Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices


Legal 500, 2010–2011

William E. Hoffmann Service Award


Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, 2014

Inaugural Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award


Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2014

Georgia Rising Star


Super Lawyers, 2005–2007, 2009

26 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia


Georgia Asian Times, 2008

Best 40 Under 40


Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2007

Community Leader Award


Organization of Chinese Americans, Georgia Chapter, 2003

Trailblazer Award and "Best Lawyers Under 40"


National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2002

H. Sol Clark Award


State Bar of Georgia, 2000

Young Lawyer Award


Anti-Defamation League, 2000

Matters

Defending major pharmaceutical manufacturer of medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis in multi-district litigation and in Philadelphia's Mass Tort Program (MTP) involving more than 700 filed cases.

Defending medical device manufacturer of female pelvic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress uriinary incontinence in multi-district litigation, post-MDL transferor courts, and individual lawsuits.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company facing more than 600 cases alleging that maternal use of a prescription medication caused congenital malformations; lead attorney in case management and special master hearings in the Mass Tort Program (MTP) in Philadelphia, where the bulk of these cases are pending.

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Matters

Defending major pharmaceutical manufacturer of medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis in multi-district litigation and in Philadelphia's Mass Tort Program (MTP) involving more than 700 filed cases.

Defending medical device manufacturer of female pelvic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress uriinary incontinence in multi-district litigation, post-MDL transferor courts, and individual lawsuits.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company facing more than 600 cases alleging that maternal use of a prescription medication caused congenital malformations; lead attorney in case management and special master hearings in the Mass Tort Program (MTP) in Philadelphia, where the bulk of these cases are pending.

Drafted amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Georgia on behalf of the four largest Asian-Pacific American civil rights groups in the country regarding the use of court interpreters for criminal defendants during plea bargain negotiations; resulted in conviction being vacated and case remanded for re-trial.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company involved in more than 1,300 individual and class action suits, filed in more than 32 states, alleging failure to warn and overly-aggressive marketing of a prescription medication; part of a team that defeated class certification in numerous courts and obtained 410 dismissals, including 27 orders granting summary judgment.

Led a team of attorneys on two asylum cases on behalf of a pair of Ivory Coast citizens who had suffered persecution on account of their political activities, pursuing the matter through trial (merits hearing) and an appeal before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Defended a major manufacturer of consumer goods and medical products in dozens of product liability cases involving silicone breast implants.

Authored chapter on "Expert Testimony, Rule 702, and Daubert" in Drug and Device Product Liability Litigation Strategy (2d. ed. 2016).

Co-authored chapter on "Attorney-Client Privilege" in the treatise Regulation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (2d ed. 2020).

Authored “Managing the Real Estate Investment Trust: An Alternative to the Independent Contractor Requirement,” 107 Harvard Law Review 1117 (1994), reprinted in The Monthly Digest of Tax Articles (February 1995).

Bobby has appeared on panels addressing issues such as the attorney-client privilege, expert witnesses and scientific evidence, diversity, professionalism, and civil procedure; for more than 15 years, has been responsible for training the firm’s new attorneys on efficient legal research techniques and time management.

Matters

Defending major pharmaceutical manufacturer of medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis in multi-district litigation and in Philadelphia's Mass Tort Program (MTP) involving more than 700 filed cases.

Defending medical device manufacturer of female pelvic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress uriinary incontinence in multi-district litigation, post-MDL transferor courts, and individual lawsuits.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company facing more than 600 cases alleging that maternal use of a prescription medication caused congenital malformations; lead attorney in case management and special master hearings in the Mass Tort Program (MTP) in Philadelphia, where the bulk of these cases are pending.

See more

Close

Matters

Defending major pharmaceutical manufacturer of medication for the treatment of interstitial cystitis in multi-district litigation and in Philadelphia's Mass Tort Program (MTP) involving more than 700 filed cases.

Defending medical device manufacturer of female pelvic mesh for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse and stress uriinary incontinence in multi-district litigation, post-MDL transferor courts, and individual lawsuits.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company facing more than 600 cases alleging that maternal use of a prescription medication caused congenital malformations; lead attorney in case management and special master hearings in the Mass Tort Program (MTP) in Philadelphia, where the bulk of these cases are pending.

Drafted amicus brief to the Supreme Court of Georgia on behalf of the four largest Asian-Pacific American civil rights groups in the country regarding the use of court interpreters for criminal defendants during plea bargain negotiations; resulted in conviction being vacated and case remanded for re-trial.

Defended a major pharmaceutical company involved in more than 1,300 individual and class action suits, filed in more than 32 states, alleging failure to warn and overly-aggressive marketing of a prescription medication; part of a team that defeated class certification in numerous courts and obtained 410 dismissals, including 27 orders granting summary judgment.

Led a team of attorneys on two asylum cases on behalf of a pair of Ivory Coast citizens who had suffered persecution on account of their political activities, pursuing the matter through trial (merits hearing) and an appeal before the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Defended a major manufacturer of consumer goods and medical products in dozens of product liability cases involving silicone breast implants.

Authored chapter on "Expert Testimony, Rule 702, and Daubert" in Drug and Device Product Liability Litigation Strategy (2d. ed. 2016).

Co-authored chapter on "Attorney-Client Privilege" in the treatise Regulation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers (2d ed. 2020).

Authored “Managing the Real Estate Investment Trust: An Alternative to the Independent Contractor Requirement,” 107 Harvard Law Review 1117 (1994), reprinted in The Monthly Digest of Tax Articles (February 1995).

Bobby has appeared on panels addressing issues such as the attorney-client privilege, expert witnesses and scientific evidence, diversity, professionalism, and civil procedure; for more than 15 years, has been responsible for training the firm’s new attorneys on efficient legal research techniques and time management.

Credentials

J.D., Harvard University, cum laude

B.A., Harvard University, Magna Cum Laude

Georgia

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Law Clerk, Hon. Stanley F. Birch Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association (1994–Present; Co-President 1998-1999))

Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network (Board Member 2006)

International Association of Defense Counsel (2008–2018)

Leadership Atlanta (2000)

Leadership DeKalb (1996)

National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (1994-present )

Outstanding Atlanta (1998)

State Bar of Georgia (1995–Present)

State Bar of Georgia Access to Justice Committee (f/k/a Pro Bono Committee) (1999)

State Bar of Georgia Diversity Program (1999)

State Bar of Georgia, Women and Minorities in the Profession Committee (1999)

Supreme Court of Georgia's Commission on Fairness and Access in the Courts (2006–Present)

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers, 2021

Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices


Legal 500, 2010–2011

William E. Hoffmann Service Award


Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, 2014

Inaugural Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award


Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2014

Georgia Rising Star


Super Lawyers, 2005–2007, 2009

26 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia


Georgia Asian Times, 2008

Best 40 Under 40


Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2007

Community Leader Award


Organization of Chinese Americans, Georgia Chapter, 2003

Trailblazer Award and "Best Lawyers Under 40"


National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2002

H. Sol Clark Award


State Bar of Georgia, 2000

Young Lawyer Award


Anti-Defamation League, 2000

Close

Recognition

Best Lawyers in America


Best Lawyers, 2021

Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices


Legal 500, 2010–2011

William E. Hoffmann Service Award


Georgia Asylum and Immigration Network, 2014

Inaugural Judge Alvin T. Wong Pioneer Award


Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2014

Georgia Rising Star


Super Lawyers, 2005–2007, 2009

26 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia


Georgia Asian Times, 2008

Best 40 Under 40


Atlanta Business Chronicle, 2007

Community Leader Award


Organization of Chinese Americans, Georgia Chapter, 2003

Trailblazer Award and "Best Lawyers Under 40"


National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, 2002

H. Sol Clark Award


State Bar of Georgia, 2000

Young Lawyer Award


Anti-Defamation League, 2000