Profile
Sydney Fairchild Williamson defends pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product manufacturers, as well as other corporate clients, in complex nationwide products liability and mass tort litigation. Sydney is skilled at advising clients on the evolving intersection of products liability and environmental toxic torts, including litigation involving emerging chemical exposures such as ethylene oxide and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), guiding them through complex scientific, regulatory, and risk-management challenges. In each matter, Sydney leverages her experience to help clients navigate scientific and regulatory challenges, manage risk, and protect reputational and business interests. She also advises clients on litigation holds, evidence preservation, and regulatory compliance.
Sydney is a highly versatile attorney who plays an integral role in developing and executing strategic litigation tactics that align courtroom advocacy with her clients’ overarching business objectives. She has built her career around the principle that effective litigators master the art of storytelling. In high-stakes litigation, a persuasive narrative connects facts, science, law, and business considerations into a cohesive and credible framework. Her practice centers on developing and advancing the company story—particularly in technically complex matters involving scientific, medical, regulatory, operational, or industry-specific issues.
Sydney has substantial experience preparing and presenting company witnesses and developing regulatory and scientific experts. She works closely with in-house legal teams to marshal internal and external documents, coordinate cross-functional resources, and collaborate with experts to ensure litigation strategy is grounded in a compelling story of company conduct, product development, regulatory history, and operational practices. She is adept at translating complex regulatory frameworks, scientific data, and technical subject matter into clear, credible, and compelling testimony. By integrating expert analysis into an overarching narrative, she strengthens case strategy from early assessment through trial.
While Sydney’s practice focuses on products liability, mass torts, and commercial disputes, she also has experience defending clients in matters involving medical malpractice, environmental and toxic torts, business torts, financial services disputes, complex contract claims, foodborne illness litigation, and telecommunications industry matters.
Capabilities
Experience
- Defends medical device manufacturers in products liability lawsuits in state and federal courts nationwide.
- Advises a global manufacturing company with regard to risk mitigation and potential litigation involving alleged environmental contaminants involved in the production of main product lines.
- Member of team that represented a university and medical center in a lawsuit by 800 Guatemalans relating to studies conducted in the 1940s.°
- Member of a team that served as co-national coordinating counsel for a major pharmaceutical company confronting more than 2,500 lawsuits and claims filed by patients who alleged that their use of an atypical antipsychotic resulted in compulsive gambling behavior and other impulse disorders.°
- Member of a team that represented a major financial institution in a $100 million check fraud claim brought by the District of Columbia after one of its employees issued fraudulent tax refund checks totaling more than $40 million through an account maintained by the bank.°
- Member of a national trial counsel team for defendants involved in mass torts litigation.°
°The above representations were handled by Ms. Fairchild prior to her joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Team Member, Daily Report, Southeastern Legal Awards, "Products Liability Group of the Year," 2025
- Team Member, BTI’s Most Recommended Law Firms, Big Pharma, 2025
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
- Litigation - Environmental, 2026
- "Ones to Watch," Product Liability Litigation, 2021-2025
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Dispute Resolution> Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action- Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2024
- Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021-2022
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Regional Litigation Department of the Year - Georgia,” 2021
Credentials
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J.D., magna cum laude, University of Baltimore School of Law
- Associate Editor, University of Baltimore Law Forum Journal
- B.A., Muhlenberg College
- U.S. Magistrate Judge J. Mark Coulson, U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, 2014-2015
- Georgia
- Maryland