Profile
Stephen T. Fowler focuses his practice on products liability defense typically in national MDL litigation. He is experienced defending manufacturers of a wide variety of products and focuses on pharmaceuticals and implantable medical devices. Stephen’s products liability experience over the past 20 years includes defending consumer products, foreign objects in food, talcum powder, asbestos, complicated manufacturing machinery and heavy construction equipment, and even a thoroughbred racehorse. For more than 20 years, Stephen has defended manufacturers of products in the State and Federal Courts in Virginia, Maryland and D.C. and in MDL actions nationwide. In each of his product cases, he works closely with medical, scientific and regulatory experts. Stephen has wide-ranging courtroom experience and has tried over a dozen jury trials as first and second chair and has tried over 100 bench trials to verdict in Virginia, D.C. and Maryland.
Concentrations
- Product liability
- Toxic tort litigation
- Commercial litigation and disputes
- Life sciences health industry group
- FDA medical device regulations
Capabilities
Experience
- Starcher v. Ulrich Alber GmBH: Represented manufacturer of electric wheelchair in case brought by quadraparesic individual alleging the wheelchair motor was defective failed to stop as commanded resulting in fall from lift and serious injury.°
- Nguyen v. BP Solar, et al.: Represented manufacturer of solar cell wafer machine in case brought by employee who sustained catastrophic injury to his hand while attempting to clear a stuck tray allegedly due to design defect in machine guard.°
- Pelvic Mesh Litigation: Represented manufacturer of pelvic mesh products in national MDL and State Courts against allegations of design defect and claims of injuries after implantation. Steve was responsible for the issues surrounding the foreign body response to the implanted materials and for handling all biomaterials experts and FDA experts on issues related to the safety and efficacy of the polypropylene mesh and the FDA clearance to market these devices.°
°The above representations were handled by Mr. Fowler prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, LLP.
Recognition & Leadership
- Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021-2022
- Recipient, Dean’s Medal for Alumni Excellence in Pro Bono Legal Services, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School’s 21st Annual Judicial & Legislative Reception, 2018
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Litigation Department of the Year,” 2018
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Product Liability, Mass Tort and Class Action: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices - Defense, 2016
- Listed, Virginia Business, "Legal Elite - Top Lawyers in Virginia," 2015
- Team Member, The Daily Report’s "Georgia Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Department of the Year," 2015
- Recipient, Arlington County Commission on Human Rights, "James B. Hunter Human Rights Award," 2015
- Recipient, Legal Services of Northern Virginia & The Arlington County Bar Foundation, "Harry L. Carrico Pro Bono Attorney Award," 2014
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Virginia Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars," 2007-2008
- Master Member, The George Mason American Inn of Court
- Member, Fairfax Bar Association
- Member, Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys
- Fellow, American Academy of Medical Experts
Credentials
-
J.D., George Mason University School of Law
- Member, American Inns of Court
- B.A., Allegheny College
- District of Columbia
- Maryland
- Virginia