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Raymond M. Williams

Raymond M. Williams

Senior Counsel
PhiladelphiaShort Hills
About

Raymond Williams is nationally recognized for his experience in litigation and diversity and inclusion.

Ray has first-chair jury trial experience, as well as extensive pre-trial litigation experience in complex litigation with a concentration in multi-district litigation where he often serves as national coordination counsel. Ray also has significant experience in a range of internal investigation, compliance, and regulatory matters, particularly within the life sciences and media, sports and entertainment sectors.

Ray regularly counsels clients on a wide-range of regulatory, risk management, due-diligence, product labeling, public disclosure, policy and crisis-management issues. Recent examples include acting as lead counsel with Senator George Mitchell as the monitor for Penn State University, reviewing product liability risk associated with the acquisition of a pharmaceutical company, analyzing pre-launch materials of a new product to the market and assessing grant agreement disclosures.

Ray is a frequent speaker and contributor to litigation journals and industry publications regarding both diversity issues and his substantive practice areas. On numerous occasions Ray has appeared as a panelist on the Law Journal TV program and the American Law Journal TV program. Ray has consistently been listed by The Legal 500 United States, Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, The International Who's Who of Life Sciences Product Liability Lawyers, and Euromoney's Life Science Star Guide as a top lawyer in his field.

Ray has used his legal skills to work on pro bono matters supported by his firm. Most recently he successfully represented the Navajo Human Rights Commission and other Navajo plaintiffs regarding their unequal access to voting polls in San Juan, Utah.

Areas of FocusHealthcareLife SciencesLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Bar admissionsCaliforniaNew JerseyPennsylvania
CourtsSupreme Court of the United StatesUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Middle District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Central District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Northern District of CaliforniaUnited States District Court for the Southern District of California

EXPERIENCE

  • Represent a large pharmaceutical company in an investigation conducted by various State Attorney Generals and DOJ regarding materials provided to patients as part of a PAP
  • Represent, as national counsel, a manufacturer of antibiotic medication, serving as national counsel in cases alleging that ingestion of the medication causes skin reactions (SJS, TENS), liver damage (including need for a transplant) and cardiovascular events
  • Serve as a lead attorney during the monitorship of Penn State University relating to the University's compliance with its obligations under an Athletics Integrity Agreement with the NCAA and Big Ten Conference
  • Represent a manufacturer of antidepressant medication in a case alleging withdrawal symptoms following stoppage of medication
  • Represent a manufacturer of an antidepressant in cases alleging the suicide and attempted suicide of teenage girls following ingestion of a prescribed antidepressant
  • Perform due diligence workup regarding litigation risks associated with the proposed acquisition of life science companies
  • Serve as a lead attorney related to several product liability risk assessments
  • Represent, as national counsel, a manufacturer of type 2 diabetes medications in cases alleging the ingestion of the medication causes pancreatitis and/or pancreatic cancer
  • Represent a manufacturer of copper tubing in cases alleging the development of lung disease following exposure to copper dust
Education
  • B.S., University of Rhode Island 1987
  • J.D., Pepperdine University School of Law 1992

Awards

In 2005, Pennsylvania Law Weekly named Ray to its list of "Pennsylvania Lawyers on the Fast Track," a distinction that recognizes the 40 outstanding Pennsylvania attorneys under the age of 40. Ray was cited for his work in complex product liability litigation that advances the field of law and for his involvement in the legal community.

  • The Legal 500 United States
    • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices - Defense (2016-2019, 2023) 
    • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Automotive/Transport (2016-2018)
    • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Consumer Products (including Tobacco) (2016-2018)
    • Recommended, Healthcare: Life Sciences (2017-2018)
    • Recommended, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Actions: Toxic Tort - Defense (2017-2018)
  • Legal Intelligencer Distinguished Leaders Award (2021)
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)  Sheryl J. Willert Pioneer Diversity Award (2020)
  • Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Champion of Social Justice and Equality Award Rutgers University School of Law – Black Law Student Association (2020)
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2014-present)
  • The International Who's Who of Life Sciences Product Liability Lawyers (2014-present)
  • The International Who's Who of Life Science Lawyers (2013-present)
  • The International Who's Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers (2013)
  • University of Rhode Island Athletic Hall of Fame inductee (2013)
  • DLA Piper Global Partners' Conference One DLA Piper Award (2013)
  • Euromoney LMG Life Science Star for Non-IP Litigation and Enforcement (2012-present)
  • Pennsylvania Lawyer on the Fast Tract (40 under 40) (2005)
  • International Scholar/Athlete Hall of Fame inductee (2004)
  • Southern California Super Lawyer (2002, 2003)
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Bylines

Seminars

  • "Impact Investing to Address Health Disparities" LaunchBio’s Invest in Cures Conference (February 2022)
  • "Hot Topics in Litigation" National Bar Association, Commercial Law Section Conference (February 2022)
  • "Guest Speaker ESG Course" Syracuse University Law School (April 2022)
  • "Guest Speaker Labor & Employment Court" NYU (May 2022)
  • "Recognizing, Understanding and Limiting Bias In The Legal Profession" Campbell Conroy & O'Neil Firm Retreat (September 2022)
  • "Current Trends In Class Actions" Black In-House Counsel Network’s Elevating Black Excellence Regional Summit Series (October 2022)
  • "Law Firm and Client Collaboration – Working Better Together, DEIB and Beyond" NNI Legal CLE & Professional Development Day (October 2022)
  • "Building a welcoming culture of inclusion in the workplace" DLA Product Liability Diversity & Inclusion Committee Symposium (November 2022)
  • "Current Trends Post Covid-19 in Product Liability and Mass Tort Law" Black In-House Counsel Network’s Elevating Black Excellence Regional Summit Series (October 2021)
  • "Authentic Leadership in Promoting DEI Through Metrics and Data Driven Strategies," Corporate Counsel of Women Conference (September 2021)
  • "Using Diversity Data to Encourage Diversity Within the Legal Profession," ABA Equity Summit (September 2021)
  • "Stand Up To Cancer 2020 Scientific Summit," Participant in Press Brief Regarding Importance of Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials (January 2020)
  • "CAIA Diversity & Inclusion Program," Impact and Importance of Diversity In the Workplace (February 2020)
  • "Developing The Modern Lawyer: Growth, Social Responsibility, And Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity," (Moderated Panel) International Association of Defense Counsel's Corporate Counsel College (April 2019)
  • "Recognizing, Understanding and Limiting Unconscious Bias in the Legal Profession," BP Corporate Campus (October 2017)
  • "Current Issues in Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Biotech Litigation: Litigating Public Health Epidemics Like the Opioid Crisis," ABA Section of Litigation Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Biotech Subcommittee and Mass Tort Subcommittee of the Products Liability Committee (October 2017)
  • "Transforming Patient Outcomes Through Digital Health: A Legal Risk Assessment Of The Product Lifecycle," Novo Nordisk, Denmark (June 2017)
  • "In-House Counsel CLE," The New York Law Journal, New York (April 2015)
  • "The City of Brotherly Love: Fact or Fiction? Changes in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas," (Moderator Panel which included Judge Arnold New) Defense Research Institute's Drug and Medical Device Conference (May 2013)
  • "Philadelphia Complex Litigation Center: Examining the Court’s New Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Protocols," Harris Martin Conference (June 2012)
  • "Coordination of Mass Tort Cases Across State Judges," (Moderated Panel which included Judge Carol Higbee and Judge Sandra Moss) Defense Research Institute’s Drug and Medical Device Conference (May 2012)
  • "Fundamentals of Personal Injury: Motion Practice," Pennsylvania Bar Institute (May 2012)

Media Mentions

  • Interviewed in "How's Pharma Faring in the Courts?" The American Law Journal, April 3, 2015
  • Interviewed in ''Minority Powerbrokers Q&A: DLA Piper's Raymond Williams,'' Law360, January 27, 2015
  • Quoted in "Pharmaceutical companies continue to be targets of costly lawsuits," Inside Counsel, September 3, 2014

Prior Experience

Ray is actively involved in Civic, Educational and Diversity & Inclusion organizations. Ray is the immediate past Co-President of the Philadelphia Diversity Law Group, on the Executive Board of the Boys & Girls Club of Mercer County which serves the Trenton, NJ area and the Executive Board of Trustees for University of Rhode Island and Board of Advisors for Pepperdine Law School. Internally, Ray is a member of the firm's Policy Committee and a member of the Associate Evaluation and Compensation Committee.

Memberships And Affiliations

  • California Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
    • Steering Committee Drug and Medical Device Section (2002-2016)
    • Chair Diversity Committee (2007-2009)
    • Steering Committee Diversity Section (2003-2011)
  • International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
    • Vice Chair, Drug and Medical Device Steering Committee (2006-2011)
    • Steering Committee Drug and Medical Device Section (2004-2011)
    • Steering Committee Diversity Section (2004-2011)
  • Legal Intelligencer Editorial Board (2006-2016)
  • Los Angeles County Bar Association
  • New Jersey Bar Association
  • Philadelphia Diversity Law Group
    • Board of Directors (2005-present)
    • Vice-President (2013-2016)
    • Co-President (2016-2018)
    • Chair, Strategic Planning Committee (2008)
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
    • Associate Editor, Philadelphia Bar Reporter (2007-2010)
  • Board of Directors Girls and Boys Club of Mercer County (2015-present)
  • University of Rhode Island Foundation Board of Trustee (2013-present)
    • Executive Board (2017-present)
  • Voorhees Basketball Association
    • Board of Directors (2007-2016)
    • Vice President (2008-2016)
  • Past Board of Director for the I Have a Dream Foundation, Los Angeles

My latest insights

Past event

Building Bridges – CLE Symposium

25 September 2024 .3 minute read

Publication

Protecting your business from legal and ethical risks involving artificial intelligence...

13 March 2024 .5 minute read

Podcast

Telehealth's impact on low-income communities

8 February 2022 .1 minute read

View All

Connect

Phone

+1 215 656 3368
(Work, Philadelphia)
+1 973 520 2550
(Work, New Jersey (Short Hills))
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