Nicholas J. Drakulich Attorney

First Admitted: 1979, Nevada

Professional Webpage: https://www.draklaw.com/team/nicholas-j-drakulich/

Bar/Professional Activity:

The State Bar of Nevada, 1979
The State Bar of California, 1981
U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Central Districts of California
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
Appointed by Federal Judges across the country to Plaintiffs' Steering Committees or Plaintiffs' Executive Committees in nationally prominent Multi-District Litigations (MDLs)
Appointed by Federal Judges to Common Benefit Attorney's Fee & Costs Committee in nationally prominent Multi-District Litigations (MDLs)
Best of the US, Member
American Association for Justice, Member
Consumer Attorneys of California, Member
Nevada Justice Association, Member
The Federal Bar Association, Sustaining member

Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):

Over $9 Billion Dollar Verdict; In Re: Actos [Pioglitazone] Product Liability Litigation, MDL Docket 2299, No. 6: 11-md-2299, Allen v. Takeda Pharmaceuticals North America, Inc., et al., No. 12-64, E.D. La). Court appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee and a core member of the Trial Team.
$2.3 Billion Dollar Settlement; In Re: Actos [Pioglitazone] Product Liability Litigation, MDL Docket 2299, No. 6: 11-md-2299, Court appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee and a core member of the Trial Team.
$268 Million Dollar Settlement; In Re: Medtronic, Inc., Sprint Fidelis Leads Product Liability Litigation, MDL No 1905. Court appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee
$240 Million Dollar Settlement; In Re: Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Products Liability Litigation, MDL No 1706. Court appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee and Leader of the Trial Team
$114 Million Dollar Settlement; In Re: Medtronic, Inc., Implantable Defibrillators Product Liability Litigation, MDL 1726. Court appointed to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee and Leader of the Trial Team

Honors/Awards:

For over 20 years, Mr. Drakulich has been consistently rated "AV" Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Reviewed Rated by Martindale-Hubbel, America's preeminent peer-reviewed lawyer rating service. This is the highest possible rating, indicating preeminent legal ability and the utmost ethical standards. , Martindale-Hubbel, 2024
For years, been recognized as Top 100 Lawyers in California, Super Lawyers, 2024
For years, been recognized as Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers - Martindale-Hubbell, Martindale-Hubbel, 2024
For years, been recognized as Top 100 Trial Lawyers in California - National Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers, 2024
For years, recognized as Million Dollar Advocate - Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2024
For years, recognized as a Multi-Million Dollar Advocate - Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2024
Lifetime Member - Strathmore's Who's Who, Strathmore's Who's Who, 2024
Best of Class, Legal Profession - Best in the U.S., Best in the U.S.

Educational Background:

California Western School of Law, J.D.,, 1978
University of Southern California, B.A., Cum Laude, 1975

Scholarly Lectures/Writings:

Invited Speaker at the MDL Judicial Summit, in connection with Texas Tech University, presenting on a panel regarding Bellwether Trials, Federal and State Coordination, Selection of Steering Committees, Special Masters, and the Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 1 Guidance – Aspen, CO, 2024
Invited Speaker at Mass Torts Puerto Rico presenting on a panel regarding Training the Next Generation of Mass Tort Lawyers – San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2004
Invited Speaker at the 6th Annual Western Alliance Bank Class Action Law Forum in Collaboration with the University of San Diego School of Law on a panel re: Ethical Conundrums Associated with Litigation Funding and Non-Lawyer Firm Ownership – San Diego, CA, 2024
Invited Speaker at the MDL Judicial Summit, in connection with Baylor University, presenting on a panel regarding the Selection of Plaintiff and Defense Steering Committees – Aspen, CO, 2023
Invited Speaker at the 5th Annual Western Alliance Bank Class Action Law Forum in Collaboration with the University of San Diego School of Law on a panel re: Assessing the Viability off a Mass Tort Litigation as well as on a panel re: Creating the Litigation Team – San Diego, CA, 2023
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Managing Mass Torts, Key Litigation Updates and Lessons Learned – Tucson, AZ, 2023
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: The Current Mass Tort Landscape, presenting on a panel re: Game Changing Rules, including Jurisdiction, Preemption, Lone Pine Orders, and Proposed Amendments to the Federal Rules – St. Louis, MO, 2022
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: ‘Bet-the-Company’ Mass Tort Litigation, Current Activity and Developing Trends, (postponed due to Covid-19), San Francisco, CA, 2020
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: An Analysis of Today’s Mass Tort Landscape re: the topic of High Stakes Issues: 2018 in Review, including Jurisdiction: Personal/Subject Matter, Preemption: Express/Implied, and Daubert: Keys to a Successful Challenge – Washington D.C., 2019
Invited Speaker at 19th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Game Changing Rulings – New Orleans, LA, 2019
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: HIV Drugs, Valsartan, 3M Earplugs and Litigating in a Post-Fosamax World on a panel with the Hon. David R. Herndon (Ret.) re: the topic of “Mass Tort ‘Death Penalty’ Issue – Preemption in a Post-Fosamax World” – Portland, OR, 2019
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: The Significance of Proposed Rule Changes in MDL Procedures & Valsartan re: the topic of Preemption Landscape – Waiting on Fosamax with the Hon. David R. Herndon – Miami, FL, 2019
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Critical Developments in Mass Torts, MDLs, and Game-Changing Jurisprudence re: the topic of Mass Tort “Death Penalty” Issues – Key Recent Developments, including Jurisdiction, Preemption, and Dauert – New Orleans, LA, 2019
Invited Speaker and Moderator at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: The Mass Tort Litigation Landscape – A Critical Analysis, re: the topic of Navigating Game Changing Dynamics, including Jurisdictional Landscape Following BMS and Recent Preemption Rulings – Napa, CA, 2018
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Current Mass Torts from E-Discovery Through Exit Strategies – Navigating “Game-Changing” Dynamics re: the topic of Key Mass Tort Procedural Issues, including Recent FRCP Amendments, and Witnesses Appearing via Satellite Transmission – New York, NY, 2018
Invited Speaker at 18th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Plaintiffs’ Steering Committees: Views from the Bench and Trench on a panel with Mark Lanier, Mark Robinson, Kathryn Snapka, and Paul Pennock – New Orleans, LA, 2018
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: ‘Bet-the-Company’ Mass Tort Litigation re: the topic of Game-Changing Complex Litigation Developments, including Post BMS Jurisdictional Landscape, Multi-Plaintiff Trials, Preemption, Deposing CEOs, Spoliation, and Testimony via Satellite at Trial – Chicago, IL, 2018
Invited Speaker at 17th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Preemption – New Orleans, LA, 2017
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Opioid, Equifax & Talcum Powder re: the topic of Jurisdictional Landscape Post-SCOTUS Bristol-Myers Decision – St. Louis, MO, 2017
Invited Speaker at 16th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Recent Preemption Activity; Drugs, Devices, & Generics – New Orleans, LA, 2016
Invited Speaker and Moderator at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: ‘Bet-the-Company’ Mass Tort Litigation re: the topic of Medtronic Infuse Litigation – Chicago, IL, 2016
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Zofran, Bard IVC and Zimmer Persona Knee Litigation re: the topic of Medtronic Infuse Litigation Update – San Francisco, CA, 2015
Invited Speaker at 15th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Spoliation Game Changer in MDLs? – New Orleans, LA, 2015
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Xarelto, Morcellators and Emerging Torts re: the topic of INFUSE Bone Graft – San Diego, CA, 2015
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Morcellator, Fluoroquinolone (FLQ) and Invokana Litigation re: the topic of INFUSE – New York, NY, 2015
Invited Speaker at the 2014 MDL Conference re: the topic of predictive Coding, ESI and Preservation Obligations, 2014
Invited Speaker at the Kentucky Justice Association Annual Convention and Seminar re: the topic of Using E-Discovery to Expose Abhorrent Behavior – Cincinnati, OH, 2014
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s CLE Summit on Major Developments in Drug & Medical Device Litigation. On panel with fellow core members of the trial team from $9 Billion Dollar Verdict in the Actos MDL, entitled, “ACTOS – Trial Update, Litigation Landscape, and Settlement News” – New Orleans, LA, 2014
Invited Speaker at 14th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Recent Preemption Activity; Drugs, Devices, & Generics – New Orleans, LA, 2014
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s Complex Litigation Conference, on a panel with Judge Kenneth Starr and Professor Francis McGovern re: the topic of The Latest Preemption Battle – Chicago, IL, 2013
Invited Speaker at the 13th Annual Class Action/Complex Litigation Symposium re: the topic of Recent Preemption Activity; Drugs, Devices, & Generics – New Orleans, LA, 2013
Invited Speaker at the 12th Annual Class Action/Mass Tort Symposium re: the topic of Professionalism in the Complex Litigation Landscape: Perspectives from the Bench and Bar – New Orleans, LA, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Transvaginal Mesh and Actos Litigation, providing a solo presentation on the topic of Preemption of Devices & Drugs: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly – Miami, FL, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s Symposium: All Things Mass Tort re: the topic of Bard IVC Filter, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Fungal Meningitis, Stryker Hip, Mirena IUD and More re: the topic of Bard IVC Filter – Dallas, TX, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin's MDL Conference: Pradaxa, Zoloft, Actos, Yaz and Everything MDL re: the topic of The Cutting Edge of ESI Protocols - Predictive Coding & Concept Searching – Cleveland, OH, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin's MDL Conference: Hot Topics in the MDL and Class Action Litigation re: the topic of Who is Paying Your Doctor? - The Learned Intermediary Doctrine – San Diego, CA, 2012
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin's Darvon and Darvocet Recall Litigation Conference re: the topic of Past Claims and Pending Litigation including Porter v. Xanodyne Pharmacueticals, Inc., Differences/similarities to Other Pharceutical Torts, and Rulings on the Liability of Generic Drug Manufacturers – New Orleans, LA, 2011
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin MDL Conference: Transvaginal Mesh and Actos re: the topic of Actos Litigation Status, Claims and Defenses, Savannah, GA, 2011
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin's Darvon and Hip Implant Litigation Conference: New Developments in These Emerging Mass Torts re: the topic of Past Claims and Pending Litigation, including Porter v. Zanodyne Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Differences/Similarities to Other Pharmaceutical Torts, and Rulings on the Liability of Generic Drug Manufacturers in Pliva v. Mensing and Conte v. Wyeth, together with Mark E. Burton, Jr. and Mark P. Robinson, Jr. – San Diego, CA, 2011
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin's MDL Conference: Zimmer NexGen Knee and DePuy Hip Implant Litigation re: the topic of Preemption/Mensing – San Francisco, CA, 2011
Invited Speaker at the 10th Annual Class Action/Mass Tort Symposium re: the topic of Preemption Presentation – New Orleans, LA, 2010
Invited Speaker at Scientific Evidence: Daubert, DNA & More Conference re: the topic of Daubert's Application in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation, 2010
Invited Speaker at HarrisMartin’s Toyota Recall Litigation Conference Part II: Toyota Recall – Costa Mesa, CA, 2010
Invited Speaker at the 9th Annual Class Action/Mass Tort Symposium re: the topic of Preemption: What Survives, Where are We Headed, and What's the Difference? – New Orleans, LA, 2009
Invited Speaker at the 8th Annual Class Action/Mass Tort Symposium re: the topic of Preemption: What Survives and Where are We Headed? A Timely Jurisprudential and Legislative Update – New Orleans, LA, 2008
Invited Speaker at Mealey's Drug and Medical Device Litigation Conference re: the topic of Heart Device Litigation - Guidant/Medtronic & St. Jude Heart Devices – San Diego, CA, 2007

Other Outstanding Achievements:

In Re: Actos (Pioglitazone) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 11- 2299 (United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana); appointed by U.S. District Judge Rebecca F. Doherty to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
In Re: Incretin Mimetics Product Liability Litigation MDL No. 2452, (United States District Court, Southern District of California); appointed by U.S. District Judge Anthony P. Battaglia to the Plaintiffs’ Executive Committee.
In Re: Medtronic, Inc. Implantable Defibrillators Product liability litigation, MDL No. 05-1726 (United States District Court, District of Minnesota); appointed by U.S. District Judge James M. Rosenbaum to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
In Re: Guidant Corp. Implantable Defibrillators Product liability litigation, MDL No. 05-1708 (United States District Court, District of Minnesota); appointed by U.S. District Judge Donovan W. Frank to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.
In Re: Medtronic, Inc., Sprint Fidelis Leads Product Liability Litigation, MDL No. 08-1905 (United States District Court, District of Minnesota); appointed by U.S. District Judge Richard H. Kyle to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee.

Industry Groups:

AAJ
Consumer Attorneys Of California
Federal Bar Assn.
Nevada Justice Assn.
The National Trial Lawyers

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