Laura A. Sexton
Partner / Chicago

P: 312-881-5950
F: 312-380-7023

Download vcard for Laura A. Sexton lsexton@goldmanismail.com

Laura has a range of experience representing major corporations in commercial litigation, class actions, and products liability litigation. A talented and accomplished brief writer, Laura has won multiple victories on dispositive motions and excels at translating complex concepts into simple and compelling narratives. In the Mirena federal multi-district litigation, Laura led the briefing on motions to exclude two separate experts, both of which were successful. The MDL Court subsequently granted summary judgment to defendants and dismissed all of plaintiffs’ cases pending in the MDL. In another case, Laura drafted a dispositive brief that caused a plaintiff to voluntarily dismiss the case with prejudice. Beyond brief-writing, Laura effectively manages all other aspects of complex litigation, from large-scale discovery to depositions to trial work. She has deposed plaintiffs, treating physicians, and experts in litigation across the country, and has served on multiple trial teams.

Laura maintains an active pro bono practice, and won a victory in an immigration matter that prevented the deportation of her client.

  • In re Mirena IUD Products Liability Litigation

    Represented Bayer in a federal multidistrict litigation in New York. After a multi-day Daubert hearing, the Court excluded all of the Plaintiffs’ general causation experts in October 2018. In June 2019, the Court granted summary judgment for Bayer and dismissed all cases in the MDL.

    Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson Pelvic Repair System Litigation

    Represents Ethicon, Inc. and Johnson & Johnson in federal litigation involving pelvic mesh products.

    In re K-Dur Antitrust Litigation

    Represented Merck in the class action and consolidated opt-out antitrust lawsuits brought by wholesalers and major pharmacy retail chains that directly purchased K-Dur® 20, an extended-release potassium chloride supplement. Plaintiffs claimed that a June 1997 patent settlement with a generic maker of K-Dur® 20 was anticompetitive. The matter settled shortly before trial.

    In re Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Products Liability Litigation

    Represented Janssen in litigation regarding personal injuries allegedly caused by Xarelto, an anticoagulant developed by Janssen and Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc. Served on MDL case work-up team tasked with taking depositions of plaintiffs and treating physicians in cases across the country.

    Home Depot U.S.A., Inc. v. Lafarge North America Inc.

    Represents a defendant in an opt-out antitrust case alleging that a nationwide conspiracy to fix prices in the drywall industry violated the Sherman Act.

    Pro Slab Inc. v. Argos North America Corp.

    Represents a defendant in a putative class action alleging a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids, and/or allocate territories and customers in certain markets for ready-mix concrete.

    Southeast Ready-Mix v. Argos North America Corp.

    Represents a defendant in a case alleging a conspiracy to fix prices, rig bids, and/or allocate territories and customers in certain markets for ready-mix concrete and cement.

    PFAS Environmental Litigation

    National counsel for chemical manufacturer in thousands of environmental and products liability claims in state and federal courts nationwide brought by individuals, municipalities, and states alleging groundwater contamination and personal injury as individual claims, consolidated proceedings, and class actions.

    • Associate, Goldman Ismail Tomaselli Brennan & Baum LLP
    • Associate, Sidley Austin, LLP
    • The University of Chicago Law School (J.D., with honors)
      • Kirkland & Ellis Scholar (for grades in top 5% of class)
      • Sidley Austin Prize for Excellence in Brief Writing
      • The University of Chicago Law Review, Member
    • The University of Chicago (B.A.)
      • Honors
      • Dean’s List

  • The ‘Natural’ Cases: An Update After FDA’s Request for Comments, Natural Products INSIDER (February 3, 2016)

    Cosmeceuticals: The Next Wave of Class-Action Litigation, Natural Products INSIDER (February 3, 2016)

    Beware of “Subject To and Not Waiving” in Discovery Responses, American Bar Association, Products Liability, News & Developments (May 21, 2015)

    Federal Preemption of Food Labeling Claims, BNA’s Product Safety & Liability Reporter (January 12, 2015)

    Supreme Court Allows Lanham Act Challenges to Food Labels, American Bar Association, Products Liability, News & Developments (July 7, 2014)

    • Selected by Super Lawyers as an Illinois Rising Star (2018-2022)
    • Federal Bar Association, Chicago Chapter, Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service (2017)
    • Graduated from the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy
    • State of Illinois
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois