Profile
Akiesha Gilcrist Sainvil focuses her practice on defending medical device, pharmaceutical, and consumer products manufacturers in high-stakes complex products liability and mass torts litigation. She handles and manages all aspects of litigation, ranging from pre-suit matters through trial, and onwards through appeal. Akiesha understands that there are often nationwide or global business implications for clients in all litigation and works to strategically align her representation of clients with those needs.
Akiesha brings a broad range of industry experience to her practice, having also defended major retailers, automotive and transportation companies, financial and health care institutions, and insurance providers in complex commercial litigation matters throughout the country in federal and state courts (including appellate courts) and in arbitration. Akiesha also clerked for Judge D. Michael Fisher of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. In drawing upon this experience, she is able to quickly adapt to ever-changing business needs and develop creative litigation strategies.
Akiesha is also active in her community. She devotes herself to the advancement and promotion of diversity in the legal profession through her service as a mentor and advocate for young and aspiring lawyers. She currently serves as Miami City Lead for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity’s Success in Law School Mentoring Program. She also devotes time to pro bono efforts and actively supports the Miami Children’s Museum.
Concentrations
- Pharmaceutical, medical device, and health care litigation
- Products Liability
- Multidistrict litigation
- Class and mass action litigation
Capabilities
Experience
- Won dismissal of lawsuit alleging civil RICO conspiracy and respondeat superior/vicarious liability claims filed by former U.S. President on behalf of British intelligence agency. See Law360, Trump's RICO Suit Against Clinton Dismissed As 'Manifesto'; Law.com, Judge Trashes Trump's RICO Lawsuit Against Hillary Clinton, Perkins Coie.
- Argued and won dismissal of a breach of warranty claim on behalf of medical device manufacturer of flush devices in state court product liability lawsuit.
- Key member of trial team that obtained a complete defense verdict following a two-week trial in July 2021 in a multimillion-dollar action involving cardiovascular intravascular device against our client, a medical device manufacturer of numerous life-saving devices and products.
- Represent manufacturer of flush medical devices against wrongful death suit involving product liability claims in state court.
- Defend medical device manufacturer of vascular devices against product liability claims in federal courts across the country.
- Served as National Coordinating Counsel for Fortune 50 Transportation Company.°
- Represented and defended manufacturers of various products, including HVAC systems, fire extinguishers, engines, and pharmaceutical drugs, against product liability actions in state and federal courts around the country.°
- Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a multinational retailing corporation in contract dispute in federal court.°
- Obtained dismissal on behalf of international banking and financial services institution in vehicle repossession class action in federal court.°
°The above representations were handled by Akiesha Gilcrist Sainvil prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
- Judicial Intern, Honorable David S. Cercone, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
- Certified Legal Intern, Immigration Clinic, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
Recognition & Leadership
- Listed, The Legal 500 USA, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action- Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, "Other Key Lawyer," 2023
- Listed, “The Best Lawyers in America,” 2021-2024
- Commercial Litigation, 2024
- Ones to Watch:Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2023
- Ones to Watch: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, 2023
- Ones to Watch: Commercial Litigation, 2021-2023
- Ones to Watch: Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2021-2023
- Recognized, The National Black Lawyers, “Top 40 Under 40” Attorney in Florida, 2020-2023
- Recognized, Daily Business Review, Florida Legal Awards, "Diversity & Inclusion Honoree," 2022
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars," 2021-2023
- Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021-2022
- Recognized, Palm Beach Media Group’s Aventura Magazine, “Top Lawyer,” 2021-2023
- Recognized, Legacy Magazine, “40 Under 40: Black Leaders of Today and Tomorrow,” 2020
- Selected, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Program, “Pathfinder,” 2017
- Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)
- City Lead - Miami, Success in Law School Mentoring Program, 2020–Present
- City Lead – Miami, Alumni Group, 2020
- LCLD Pathfinder Program Participant, 2017
- The Florida Bar
- Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee, 2022-2023
- Fellow, Wm. Reece Smith, Jr. (WRS) Leadership Academy, Class IX, 2021-2022
- Dade County Bar Association
- Member, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
- Member, Federal Court Committee
- Playmakers Young Professionals Support Group, Miami Children’s Museum, 2019–Present
- Federal Bar Association
- Member, South Florida Chapter
- Member, Young Lawyers Division
- Museum Ambassadors, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh
- Alumna, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy, 2016
- Allegheny County Bar Association
- Council Member, Homer S. Brown Division, 2014–2017
- Diversity Committee Co-Chair, Young Lawyer’s Division, 2014–2015
Credentials
-
J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law, 2013
- Senior Topics Editor, Law Review
- B.A., cum laude, University of Pittsburgh, 2010
- Hon. D. Michael Fisher, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2013-2014
- Florida
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania