Bio
Jay focuses his practice on defending product manufacturers in individual and mass-tort actions, including in the medical device, pharmaceutical, chemical, and consumer-product industries. With extensive experience in all phases of litigation—from pre-suit investigations to trials—he excels in fact-finding, discovery, expert and fact witness preparation, depositions, motion practice, and trial preparation.
Jay plays an integral part in the firm’s role as National Coordinating Counsel for an international hip implant manufacturer in worldwide litigation, including in multidistrict litigation (MDL). He also acts as local and trial counsel for a major consumer products manufacturer in national asbestos and silica litigation. Additionally, he is extensively involved in case and expert workup in complex environmental mass tort litigation across the country for a global chemical manufacturer. His experience also extends to intellectual property litigation, including patent and trademark disputes.
Holding a degree in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics, Jay conducted significant research on orthopedic implants and led a team project to design a mounting system for a patient with Muscular Dystrophy. He also earned a master’s degree in Engineering Management, focusing on technology market assessment. This unique science and business background enables him to collaborate effectively with technical experts and company witnesses, investigate intricate scientific matters pertinent to his cases, and simplify complex technical issues for presentation to juries.
Throughout his legal career, Jay has received numerous accolades, including the DRI Young Lawyers Rookie of the Year Award (2021-22), and has been named in Best Lawyers in America®, New Orleans Top Lawyers®, and Louisiana Super Lawyers® over several years. He is extensively involved in several global and national legal organizations, serving on numerous committees within the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), Defense Research Institute (DRI), and Lawyers for Civil Justice (LCJ), where he was selected as part of the inaugural class of Fellows from 2019-2022.
Experience
- Representation of medical device and pharmaceutical manufacturers in multidistrict, federal, and state products liability litigation.
- Representation of chemical and consumer-product manufacturer in federal and state products liability litigation in Louisiana.
- Identification, retention, and coordination of teams of experts in nationwide mass-tort litigation.
- Preparation of expert witnesses, company witnesses, and 30(b)(6) witnesses for depositions in pending federal multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding medical implants.
- Taking and defending fact, 30(b)(6), and expert witness depositions in state and federal litigation, including multidistrict litigation (MDL).
- Representation of steel manufacturer in Clean Air Act action against the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the District Court for the District of Columbia to compel EPA action.
- Representation of steel manufacturer in an administrative action seeking review of a PSD/Title V permit issued by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality under the Clean Air Act.
- Representation of two (2) medical practitioners in a medical malpractice bench trial, resulting in a ruling dismissing the action with prejudice.
Honors & Affiliations
Honors & Recognitions
Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants (2022-2023)
DRI Young Lawyers, Rookie of the Year Award, 2021-22
New Orleans Top Lawyers, 2021-2022
Louisiana Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2017-2021
Loyola Law Review
Loyola Moot Court
William L. Crowe Scholar
Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Team, Vienna, Austria (2012-13), Honorable Mention, Best Memorandum for Claimant
Judicial Extern, Honorable Barbara M.G. Lynn, United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
Civic Affiliations
- Member, St. Pius Catholic School Advisory School Board
- Member, American Institute of Stuttering (AIS) Junior Board
Professional Affiliations
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), At-Large Member, Membership Committee (2024-25)
- IADC, CLE Steering Committee, 2024 IADC Mid-Year Meeting, Miami, FL
- IADC, Vice Chair of Communications, Social Justice and Pro Bono Committee (2023-2024)
- IADC, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee, Drug, Device and Biotechnology Committee, Trial Techniques and Tactics Committee
- Lawyers for Civil Justice, Civil Justice Fellow - Inaugural Class (2019-2022), Diversity and Young Lawyers Committee
- DRI, Drug & Medical Device Committee, Online Community Vice Chair (2024)
- DRI, Drug and Medical Device Committee, Co-Young Lawyer Liaison (2021-2022; 2022-23); Regional Marketing Team
- DRI, Young Lawyer Committee, Co-Vice Chair of Raising the Bar Subcommittee (2021-2022)
- DRI, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy Steering Committee, Committee Secretary, Marketing Representative
- New Orleans Bar Association, Drug and Device Committee
- American Bar Association, Expert Witness Committee
- Louisiana State Bar Association
News
Publications & Presentations
Publications and Presentations
Practice Areas
Admissions
- Louisiana State Courts
- Texas State Courts
- United States Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
- United States District Court for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts of Louisiana
- United States Patent & Trademark Office
Education
J.D., Loyola University College of Law (2013)
M.E.M., Master of Engineering Management, Duke University (2009)
B.S.E., Biomedical Engineering, Tulane University (2008)
International Association of Defense Counsel's Trial Academy, Stanford Law School