Dona Trnovska Gilliland

Technology & Platform Litigation

Dona has substantial experience representing technology companies and digital platforms in high-stakes litigation involving novel liability theories. She has served on multiple bellwether trial teams in the Social Media Adolescent Addiction / Personal Injury Products Liability MDL and related Judicial Council Coordination Proceedings in California, where she played a central role in affirmative fact discovery and the development of case-specific defenses. Her work included preparing for and taking fact-witness and treating-physician depositions.

She also advises technology and app-based companies on issues at the intersection of established tort principles and evolving digital business models. Her experience includes matters involving platform relationships, agency and control, independent-contractor issues, emerging statutory frameworks, and protections available under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Product Liability & Mass Tort Litigation

Dona defends businesses in product liability and mass tort litigation involving personal injury and wrongful death claims; significant damages; and complex questions of causation, control, and corporate responsibility. She develops discovery and deposition strategy; takes and prepares party and fact witnesses for depositions; coordinates expert discovery; addresses evidentiary issues; and prepares dispositive, jurisdictional, and other significant motions.

Her trial experience includes serving on a defense team during a four-week civil jury trial, where she helped manage witnesses and exhibits, addressed evidentiary issues, and assisted the team in responding to strategic developments in real time. Her practice also includes substantial post-trial motion practice and related proceedings.

Artificial Intelligence & Legal Innovation

Dona has a particular interest in the practical and responsible use of generative artificial intelligence in litigation and legal practice. She develops and shares workflows for using AI tools in legal research, factual analysis, document review, discovery, deposition preparation, and other litigation tasks, and works with colleagues to identify opportunities to use emerging technology to improve the quality and efficiency of legal work.

Within Faegre Drinker, Dona created an educational series focused on practical AI workflows for litigators. Each edition addresses a specific legal workflow and provides practical guidance that attorneys can adapt to their own matters. She is frequently consulted by colleagues seeking to evaluate potential AI use cases, troubleshoot workflows, or better understand how emerging tools can support their practices.

Prior Experience

Prior to joining the firm, Dona managed a 150-case docket as a law clerk for the Honorable J. Ronnie Greer of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.  She also worked on civil and criminal matters as a clerk for New Jersey Appellate Judge Francis J. Vernoia. Her federal district and state appellate clerkships continue to inform her approach to written advocacy, case strategy, and judicial decision-making.

During law school, Dona externed for Magistrate Judge Barbara D. Holmes of the US District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee and for the general counsel for the NHL team, the Nashville Predators. Before beginning her legal career, Dona taught secondary-school students as a Teach for America educator.

Personal Interests

Outside the office, Dona enjoys taking Pilates classes, antiquing, renovating her historic home, and walking her German Shepherd.