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Ursula Henninger is a first-chair trial lawyer specializing in defending product liability and consumer products claims. She has tried cases in numerous state and federal courts throughout the country, most often in recognized "judicial hellholes." Her trials often involve allegations of corporate misconduct leading to claims for significant punitive damages.  A partner in our Trial and Global Disputes practice, Ursula represents companies in consumer products including tobacco, pharmaceuticals, medical devices and other industries.  A fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, she is recognized by her peers for her courtroom performance as well as her standards.

Ursula represents well-known corporations, including pharmaceutical and tobacco companies, in high-profile consumer and  product liability matters. She has tried over 45 cases in her career and is known for her ability to relate to juries.  In addition, she is frequently asked to lead industry groups related to common litigation themes, trial presentation and interests.

In addition to being a first-chair trial attorney, Ursula coordinates defense team efforts, leading case management from the filing of the complaint to trial and through the appeals process. She often serves as lead case management lawyer for actions filed in multiple jurisdictions, and directs pretrial discovery and motion practice for the defense team in numerous cases.  

Ursula's trial successes are well-recognized.  Ursula received Law 360's MVP Award in 2018 for the category "Trials" as well as Law 360's MVP for the category "Product Liability" 2019 as well as Courtroom View Network's "Engle Defense Attorney of the Year" in 2018.  Ursula is Chambers, Band 2 Litigation: Product Liability; named a U.S. Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation 2017, and has been ranked by Legal 500 US for Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., Wake Forest University, cum laude

B.A., Appalachian State University, cum laude

Florida

North Carolina

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

U.S. Litigation Star


Benchmark Litigation, 2017

Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products


Legal 500 U.S.

Close

Recognition

U.S. Litigation Star


Benchmark Litigation, 2017

Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products


Legal 500 U.S.

Matters

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Reinaldo Ojeda v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Robert Denton v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (M.D. Fla.).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hildegard Brown v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Escambia).

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Matters

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Reinaldo Ojeda v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Robert Denton v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (M.D. Fla.).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hildegard Brown v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Escambia).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Charles G. Wendel v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hazel Mathis v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Broward).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Stanley Martin v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Broward).

Represented GlaxoSmithKline in a trial in federal court in Chicago in the matter Wendy Dolin v. GlaxoSmithKline (N.D. Illinois 2017).

Matters

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Reinaldo Ojeda v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Robert Denton v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (M.D. Fla.).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hildegard Brown v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Escambia).

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Close

Matters

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Reinaldo Ojeda v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Robert Denton v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (M.D. Fla.).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hildegard Brown v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Escambia).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Charles G. Wendel v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Miami Dade).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Hazel Mathis v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Broward).

Represented R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. in Engle progeny case, Stanley Martin v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. (Broward).

Represented GlaxoSmithKline in a trial in federal court in Chicago in the matter Wendy Dolin v. GlaxoSmithKline (N.D. Illinois 2017).

Credentials

J.D., Wake Forest University, cum laude

B.A., Appalachian State University, cum laude

Florida

North Carolina

Supreme Court of the United States

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

U.S. Litigation Star


Benchmark Litigation, 2017

Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products


Legal 500 U.S.

Close

Recognition

U.S. Litigation Star


Benchmark Litigation, 2017

Litigation: Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense – Consumer Products


Legal 500 U.S.