San Francisco, California – Mayer Brown has strengthened its mass torts practice with the addition of partners Davina Pujari and Chris Rheinheimer, who have joined the firm from WilmerHale. This move marks a significant effort to bolster the firm’s legal expertise following the recent exit of a five-partner mass torts team to Jenner & Block.
The hiring comes amid an increasing trend among major law firms to expand their capabilities in mass torts as they face a more sophisticated and well-financed plaintiffs’ bar in the environmental sector. Pujari pointed out that this trend translates to heightened risks for companies involved in class actions and mass tort litigation.
Pujari specializes in various areas, including environmental law, white-collar defense, and crisis management, in addition to class and mass actions and False Claims Act litigation. Rheinheimer complements her practice with his focus on complex environmental, energy, and real estate disputes, along with related enforcement defense at both state and federal levels.
“The commitment Mayer Brown has to its environmental and mass tort practice is what drew us here,” Pujari stated. She expressed enthusiasm to begin their work, focusing on providing clients with robust legal strategies in an increasingly challenging landscape.
Before joining WilmerHale in 2022 from Hanson Bridgett, both attorneys gained recognition for representing Norfolk Southern Railway in connection with a lawsuit tied to a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this year. Their experience includes representing Tetra Tech Inc. in a pivotal case regarding radioactive waste remediation work for the U.S. Navy, scheduled for trial this December in San Francisco.
Michael Olsen, who leads Mayer Brown’s litigation and dispute resolution practice, praised Pujari and Rheinheimer for their extensive trial experience and deep understanding of critical environmental and mass tort issues. Their addition signals Mayer Brown’s intent to enhance its position in a competitive legal market while addressing the complex needs of clients facing legal challenges in these areas.
As law firms like Mayer Brown adapt to shifting legal landscapes, the recruitment of seasoned attorneys such as Pujari and Rheinheimer reflects a broader trend where firms prioritize strategic growth within key practice areas.
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