Faegre Drinker Continues Product Liability Growth in New York, Adding Counsel Alena Markley

Faegre Drinker announced today that Alena Markley has joined the firm’s product liability practice as counsel in the New York office. Prior to joining the firm, she spent more than 12 years in the litigation practice of an international law firm, with a focus on product liability.

The arrival of Markley in New York, joining shortly after partner Dan Smulian, represents a significant expansion of Faegre Drinker’s product liability and mass torts group. Their addition—alongside recent lateral partners Michael Stark in Washington, D.C. and Tom Pack in California—demonstrates the firm’s ongoing commitment to enhancing its capabilities and broadening its presence in this critical practice area.

Markley focuses her product liability practice on medical device litigation, defending medical device companies in cases ranging from single-plaintiff actions to multidistrict litigations in state and federal courts throughout the United States. She is experienced in virtually all phases of litigation, including pre-suit negotiations and investigations, pretrial motion practice and pleadings, fact and expert discovery, trials, and appeals.

"Alena’s proven ability to successfully navigate complex product liability cases, particularly in the medical device sector, underscores our focus on building a team that is committed to client success," said Amy Fiterman, leader of Faegre Drinker’s product liability and mass torts group. "Her arrival, closely following partner Dan Smulian, further expands our growing product liability practice in New York and deepens our ability to serve clients in this important market. We’re delighted to welcome her aboard."

Markley has defended medical device manufacturers in cases involving implantable cardiac devices, obtaining dismissals in jurisdictions across the country as well as appellate decisions in favor of clients. She has also defended a medical device maker against allegations of trade secret misappropriation, involving years of discovery, weeks of evidence at trial, and a favorable outcome for the client.

Markley earned her Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from George Washington University before receiving her Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.

With its team of attorneys with backgrounds in chemistry, engineering, biology and other sciences, Faegre Drinker’s product liability trial team is deeply experienced in high-stakes multidistrict litigation and has defended clients in nearly every state, as well as in cross-border disputes.