Ms. Brown is a member of the Commercial and Corporate Litigation practice group of Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP. She specializes in commercial and insurance litigation and the defense of medical device/product liability actions and serves as the coordinator of the firm's pro bono program. Ms. Brown is a member of the Academy of Trial Lawyers of Allegheny County and has been named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, an honor bestowed upon the top five percent of Pennsylvania lawyers. She has been a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Board of Governors since 2003 and was elected President of the ACBA for 2009-2010.
In 2009, Ms. Brown was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is an invitation only trial lawyer honorary society representing less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. LCA Fellows are deemed to be among the best trial lawyers in the American bar, who have exhibited accomplishment in litigation and trial work, and have superior ethical reputations.
In June 2008, Ms. Brown was honored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession with the Lynette Norton Award. This award recognizes female lawyers who excel in litigation and who have demonstrated leadership in mentoring female attorneys.
In May 2006, Ms. Brown was honored by the Allegheny County Bar Association with The Honorable Carol Los Mansmann Helping Hand Award for her efforts on behalf of women and her work in mentoring young female attorneys. She was featured in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on May 21: "Attorney Works to Elevate Status of Women in Legal Profession."
Product Liability
Represented catheter manufacturer in state court products liability double amputation infant death case.
Represents manufacturer of insecticide in several chemical exposure cases alleging multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Northeast regional coordinating counsel and Pennyslvania counsel for breast implant manufacturer: responsible for overseeing local counsel’s discovery and trial preparation; personally responsible for evaluating and settling hundreds of cases in more than 10 states; responsible for management of over 300 Pennsylvania state and federal court breast implant cases; appointed Manufacturers’ Liaison Counsel in breast implant litigation by United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
Defending turbine compressor and motor manufacturer in toxic tort claims filed throughout Pennsylvania.
Representing chrysotile asbestos supplier in toxic tort actions filed in Western Pennsylvania.
Western Pennsylvania counsel for asbestos wire and cable manufacturer: responsible for dismissal without settlement payment of over 570 state court product liability and negligence actions against client between 1997 and 2000.
Defended a medical oxygen regulator company in a strict liability, negligence and breach of warranties action filed in state court by a severely burned hospital employee.
Obtained dismissal before trial of orthodontic device manufacturer in strict liability and breach of warranties action brought by plaintiff claiming cancer caused by allegedly defective retainer and orthodontic wire.
Represented fetal heart monitor manufacturer in a product liability action claiming damage to infant caused by defective monitor.
Commercial and Other Experience
Representation of instrumentation and communications company in multi-million dollar breach of contract action arising out of a corporate spin-off.
Represented major insurance companies in the defense of lawsuit asserting claims of bid-rigging, conspiracy, fraud, bad faith, breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty in connection with the sale of professional healthcare liability insurance.
Obtained several defense verdicts for life insurance company in fraud and breach of fiduciary duty cases.
Obtained a defense verdict for a major insurance company in an 8 day trial involving claims of negligence, fraud, punitive damages, and violations of the Unfair Trade Practice and Consumer Protection Law in connection with the sale of life insurance.
Represented two major insurance companies in the defense of over 300 insurance sales practice cases pending in Western Pennsylvania state and federal courts, alleging claims of negligence, fraud, breach of fiduciary duty, bad faith and violations of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.
Represented Fortune 200 company in federal court trial involving multi-million dollar breach of contract claims and defamation claim against a corporate officer.
Represented home owners in breach of contract and consumer protection law case against home inspector.
Represented and obtained summary judgment for steel company in $150 million complex breach of contract and warranties action in federal court; litigation team member responsible for discovery, expert coordination and briefing strategy.
Defense of a national construction company in a negligence action alleging breach of contract resulting in amputation injury.
Representation of tobacco wholesale companies in class action antitrust lawsuit against major tobacco companies alleging that the Master Settlement Agreement violates federal antitrust laws.
Represented tank manufacturer and engineering firm in separate breach of contract and breach of warranties actions involving claims of defective storage and chemical tanks.
Obtained jury verdict in excess of $300,000 for law firm in breach of contract action; dismissal of malpractice counterclaims prior to trial.
Defended municipal authority before federal district court and Third Circuit in Section 1983 and Pennsylvania Whistleblower Act retaliation action involving the Mayor of Pittsburgh.
Obtained summary judgment in favor of multi-million dollar landfill and refuse company plaintiff in Section 1983 action.
Represented municipal authority before federal district court and Third Circuit in lawsuit involving complex and first impression equal protection, due process and constitutional claims filed by unsuccessful contract bidder.
Represented doll manufacturer and designer in federal court contempt proceeding involving trademark issues and breach of noncompetition agreement.
