Jeffrey S. Lichtman, Partner jlichtman@ohareparnagian.com

Jeffrey S. Lichtman, for nearly 30 years, has represented major financial institutions and insurance and reinsurance companies in complex commercial litigation, as well as an array of pharmaceutical and medical device companies and other defendants in products liability and mass torts cases. Jeff has served as national, regional and/or trial or local counsel in a number of landmark disputes. He has defended and counseled clients in many actions in federal and state courts, both at the trial and appellate levels, nationwide and in the New York area. He has represented clients in class actions, consolidated cases, multi-district litigations, and arbitrations.

Before joining OP in May 2012, Jeff was a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP since 1994, where he practiced law since graduating law school in 1982. While at Skadden, Jeff successfully represented a major international financial institution in litigations against XL Capital Assurance Inc. and MBIA, Inc. in matters related to the financial crisis. He also represented a premier insurer in defeating nationwide and state-wide class actions involving dividends and investments, as well as representing the company in cases relating to sales practices and in a variety of other matters.

In the arenas of product liability and mass torts, Jeff has represented clients in matters involving a range of products and industries, including prescription and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, medical devices, chemicals, lead paint, construction equipment, tools, telephones and cell towers, and food products, as well as automobiles and theatrical products. He served on a national trial team and as a regional and local defense counsel in breast implant litigation proceedings for the largest maker of silicone-gel breast implants. In the New York State court consolidation of these cases, he served as liaison counsel for the defense group comprised of breast implant manufacturers. Jeff supervised and coordinated the defense of breast implant litigation in the eastern United States. He also represented a major over-the-counter pharmaceutical company as part of its bankruptcy restructuring, which included resolution of a mass tort litigation involving Dexatrim, an appetite suppressant. As part of the restructuring, Jeff successfully negotiated major settlements, including with all claimants and substantially all insurers. Jeff has represented a developer and licensor of prescription pharmaceuticals in wrongful death lawsuits and one of the world's largest producers of heavy metals in 13 consolidated cases in which plaintiffs claimed to have developed multiple sclerosis after exposure in the workplace to fumes generated from heavy metals. Jeff also has defended numerous clients in litigations and investigations involving fires.

In 1982, Jeff earned his J.D. from St. John's University School of Law, where he was a member of the St. John's Law Review. He earned a B.A. in American Literature from Queens College of the City University of New York in 1979, graduating Magna Cum Laude and with honors.

In addition to his litigation practice in commercial and mass torts litigation, Jeff has represented numerous clients in a pro bono capacity. He has written and lectured extensively throughout his career, including co-authoring for many years the New York Law Journal's review of torts cases decided by the New York Court of Appeals. Jeff has repeatedly been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and New York Super Lawyers.