Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani welcomes Michael Carroll and Tom Joensen as Co-Managing Partners of the firm's Des Moines office. They join the firm from Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath. Adding Mr. Joensen and Mr. Carroll bolsters the firm's strength in the Midwest.
Michael Carroll focuses his practice on the defense of major medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers in product liability matters. Mr. Carroll has served as national, regional, and workup coordinating counsel for several Fortune 500 companies providing cost-efficient, effective representation that maximizes the value of their legal spending. In addition, Mr. Carroll proactively assists his clients with resolving litigation before a trial becomes necessary.
Mr. Carroll is a compelling oral advocate. He has briefed and argued various motions in state and federal courts nationwide, leading to dismissals of cases before trial. Mr. Carroll has obtained dismissals after persuading courts that product recalls do not equate to a defect under the law and has significant experience with the issue of the preemption of claims against manufacturers of prescription medical devices. He has also obtained dispositive motion victories on the grounds of innocent seller statutes, corporate veil statutes, product identification deficiencies, and statutes of limitations.
Tom Joensen is a formidable first-chair product liability litigator. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a recognition extended to less than one percent of the nation's attorneys. He works inside and outside the courtroom to help clients manage, mitigate and resolve product liability and professional negligence disputes. He has gone to jury trial 18 times as lead counsel and served as lead counsel in two arbitrations. In addition, he has served as lead counsel in five evidentiary hearings in federal district court. Before the Iowa Supreme Court and Iowa Court of Appeals, Mr. Joensen has appeared seven times.
Mr. Joensen's background as a speech pathologist also gives him insight into defending clients in health care and life sciences. He knows the science behind the products he defends and skillfully argues clients' cases to judges and juries. Mr. Joensen also has represented clients in commercial disputes ranging from bankruptcy matters to class actions, and in professional negligence cases.
"Michael and Tom are excellent attorneys, and we are very pleased they have joined Gordon & Rees," said Hayes Ryan, Co-Managing Partner of the Chicago office. "Their broad litigation and jury trial experience will be a tremendous asset to clients locally in Iowa and across the country."
As the only law firm with offices and attorneys in all 50 states, Gordon & Rees delivers maximum value to our clients by combining the resources of a full-service national firm with the local knowledge of a regional firm. Featuring more than 1,000 lawyers nationwide, we provide comprehensive litigation and business transaction services to public and private companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Founded in 1974, Gordon & Rees is recognized among the fastest-growing and largest law firms in the country.