Complex Litigation

Sacks Law, LLC

Complex litigation involves civil cases with serious stakes, difficult facts, multiple parties, substantial damages, and legal issues that require experienced strategic judgment. These matters may include class actions, mass torts, federal civil litigation, business disputes, international disputes, and cases against major corporations or entire industries.

For more than 43 years, Andrew B. Sacks has handled complex litigation against some of the most powerful industries in the world, including oil, tobacco, and pharmaceutical companies. He has represented individuals, local governments, foreign governments, and public entities in cases involving environmental contamination, consumer harm, public health, international claims, and large scale civil wrongdoing.

Examples of complex litigation may include:

• Class actions
• Federal civil cases
• Business and commercial litigation
• Mass torts
• Environmental contamination cases
• International disputes involving governments, investments, transactions, employment negotiations, and arbitration

Multidistrict Litigation

Civil cases filed in different federal courts may involve similar allegations, related defendants, common products, or overlapping questions of fact. When that happens, the cases may be transferred to one federal court for coordinated pretrial proceedings through the multidistrict litigation process, commonly known as MDL.

The Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation decides whether related cases should be transferred and coordinated before one federal judge. Once transferred, the cases remain separate, but discovery, motions, expert issues, and other pretrial matters are managed together to reduce duplication and improve efficiency.

Mr. Sacks has experience with large, coordinated litigation and understands the strategic issues that arise when cases move from individual filings into national proceedings. He works with clients and other law firms to evaluate claims, develop legal strategy, protect plaintiff interests, and pursue meaningful recovery in complex federal litigation.

Municipal, Federal, and International Representation

For more than four decades, Mr. Sacks has represented private clients, unions, public entities, foreign governments, and local government offices in state, federal, and international matters.

Mr. Sacks spent twenty two years helping represent the European Union, its Justice Department, OLAF, 25 member countries, the Republic of Colombia, and Colombian departments in tobacco smuggling litigation against the major tobacco companies. The litigation resulted in historic settlements exceeding $2 billion and brought Mr. Sacks and the legal team before the United States Supreme Court three times. The litigation also helped establish judicial recognition of the European Union’s ability to sue in United States courts.

Mr. Sacks has also worked as part of the legal team representing the City of Philadelphia in opioid litigation, helping the City recover more than $300 million to date, with additional recoveries anticipated. He was among the first attorneys to counsel the City on pursuing those claims. He is also representing the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office in opioid related litigation.

Major Recoveries and Landmark Cases

Mr. Sacks has helped recover more than $3 billion for clients during his career. His record includes billion dollar settlements, international litigation, environmental contamination cases, and service as co-counsel for the plaintiff who obtained a $1.06 billion verdict against ExxonMobil, one of the largest single landowner verdicts in United States history.

Complex litigation can be overwhelming. Clients often face powerful opponents, unfamiliar legal systems, difficult scientific or financial issues, and decisions that may affect entire communities or industries. Mr. Sacks brings experience, judgment, and a long record of taking on difficult cases.

For complex litigation representation, contact Sacks Law, LLC at (215) 925-8200.