Ursula M.
Henninger

With more than 20 years of experience, Ursula represents well-known corporations, including pharmaceutical and tobacco companies, in high-profile product liability matters. She has tried over 40 cases in her career throughout the country and is known for her ability to relate to juries.  In addition, she is frequently asked to lead industry groups related to common litigation themes, trial presentation and interests.

In addition to handling mass tort litigation at trial, Ursula coordinates defense team efforts, leading case management from the filing of the complaint to trial and through the appeals process. She often serves as lead case management lawyer for actions filed in multiple jurisdictions, and directs pretrial discovery and motion practice for the defense team in numerous cases.  

Ursula has extensive experience as trial counsel defending tobacco manufacturers in Engle progeny actions in Florida state and federal courts, and has tried over 15 Engle progeny cases. Her trial experience is not limited to Engle actions, as Ursula has tried numerous cases on behalf of R.J. Reynolds throughout the U.S. in both state and federal court. In addition to her vast experience in tobacco litigation, Ursula is active in defending product liability claims against pharmaceutical companies as well. Her most recent pharmaceutical trial was in federal court in Chicago in the matter Wendy Dolin v. Glaxo Smith Klein (N.D. Illinois 2017).

Ursula's trial successes are well-recognized.  Ursula received Law 360's MVP Award in 2018 for the category "Trials" and Courtroom View Network's "Engle Defense Attorney of the Year" in 2018 as well.  Ursula has also been named a U.S. Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation 2017, and has been ranked by Legal 500 US for Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products.