Nancy Shane Rappaport

Partner

Chair, Philadelphia Litigation Practice

About

Nancy Rappaport is a partner in the Philadelphia and Wilmington offices and serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Litigation Practice. Nancy is a national trial lawyer involved in a variety of matters focusing on product liability litigation, including the defense of multinational manufacturers in catastrophic injury cases arising from the use of such products as consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment, construction equipment, farming equipment, military aircraft and automobiles, heavy commercial machinery, and building construction materials, among others. She acts as national counsel for various outdoor power equipment manufacturers and military defense contractors, managing all stages of litigation, and acting as lead trial and appellate counsel in state and federal courts throughout the country. Nancy's practice also includes national, regional and local representation of various U.S. Government defense contractors, among other manufacturers, in toxic tort litigation, as well as representation of national and multinational corporations in complex commercial disputes and class actions in Delaware state and federal courts.

Manufacturers also seek Nancy's guidance in the preparation of manuals, warranties, labels and marketing materials for new products, including heavy commercial machinery, outdoor power equipment, kitchen appliances, glassware and baby products. Her practice also includes counselling clients and speaking at industry meetings regarding litigation prevention, discovery and trial strategies.

Nancy has been an instructor at firm-wide litigation associates training events on discovery and trial techniques since 2008, served as a national delegate and task force committee member during creation of the firm's women's initiative – Leadership Alliance for Women ("LAW") -- in 2006, served as local chair for LAW from 2015-2017, and chaired the Philadelphia office's summer associate program from 2002 – 2006. She also lectures regularly at Villanova School of Law on litigation, negotiation, mentoring, networking and interviewing skills.

Legal 500 United States has repeatedly recognized Nancy, noting that she "is an excellent attorney, trial lawyer and brief writer," "a fierce advocate," and "the best outside counsel you could find."

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations

Bar admissionsDelawarePennsylvania

CourtsUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Middle District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Western District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the District of DelawareUnited States District Court for the District of ColoradoUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

EXPERIENCE

Nancy serves as national counsel to various multinational companies in litigation arising in the United States, handling all matters from inception through trial and appeal in matters involving catastrophic injuries arising from the use of products, as well as commercial disputes. Her experience includes the following:

Obtained dismissal for forum non conveniens on behalf of leading provider of innovative architectural products in wrongful death and products liability mass action brought by 247 plaintiffs and their estates in Philadelphia state court (successfully removed to federal court) seeking damages arising out of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London. KRISTEN BEHRENS et al. v. ARCONIC INC., et al., United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania, C.A. 2:19-cv-02664, Baylson, J. (September 16, 2020) (granting dismissal), aff’d United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, No. 20-3606 (July 8, 2022).
Tried to defense verdict, and argued/successfully defended through appeal, catastrophic injury case for world's largest farm machine manufacturer in Michigan state court.
Tried to defense verdict, and argued/successfully defended through appeal, catastrophic injury case for world's largest farm machine manufacturer in Michigan state court. NICOLE ANN JANOWSKI, as Next Friend of ISABELLA CASE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. DEERE & COMPANY, Defendant-Appellee, and STARR CALLAHAN, Defendant, Court of Appeals of Michigan (July 11, 2019), sustaining defense verdict rendered in the Circuit Court of Genesee County, C.A. No. 14-103771-NI (verdict August 30, 2017).
Tried to defense verdict catastrophic injury cases for multinational manufacturers of consumer and commercial mowing equipment in state and federal courts throughout the country.
Tried to defense verdict premises liability case in Delaware state court.
Representation as national trial counsel for catastrophic injury cases for largest manufacturers of consumer and commercial mowing, cutting and trimming equipment, including all aspects of litigation, trial and appeal.
Representation as national trial counsel for global defense and technology company, including all aspects of litigation and trial in toxic tort matters.
Representation as national trial counsel for national military vehicle manufacturer, including all aspects of litigation and trial, in toxic tort matters.
Successfully briefed and argued manufacturers' dismissal on summary judgment in catastrophic injury cases before various federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country, including: the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; the District of Utah, the District of Maryland, the Western District of Oklahoma, and the District of Delaware.
Successfully defended various clients in product liability and commercial matters at arbitrations in Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Obtained dismissals on behalf of global defense and technology company and on behalf of military vehicle manufacturer in toxic tort matters throughout the country.
Prepared manuals, warranties and on-product labeling for manufacturers of various consumer and commercial products including kitchen and household appliances; baby products; outdoor power equipment and construction equipment.
Provided counsel on preparation of marketing materials for safe use of outdoor power equipment on behalf of several outdoor power equipment manufacturers.

Education

J.D., Villanova University School of Law 1995
Villanova Law Review

B.A., Political Science, University of Delaware 1992
cum laude

Awards

Publications

Co-Author, "Chapter 8: Recent Developments in Asbestos, Talc, Silica, Tobacco, and E-Cigarette/Vaping Litigation the U.S. and Canada," Practising Law Institute’s treatise on Product Liability Litigation – Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, Second Edition (2021)

Seminars