Senior Policy Analyst James Beck of global law firm Reed Smith next week will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Pennsylvania Defense Institute (PDI), the firm announced today. The award recognizes Beck’s career of exemplary achievement, scholarship and advocacy.
Beck focuses on complex personal injury and product liability litigation with the firm’s global Life Sciences Health Industry Group. He oversees the development of legal defenses, master briefs, and dispositive motions in numerous multidistrict litigation matters and other mass tort actions. He drafts major appellate briefs in significant product liability and related matters, including amicus curiae briefs.
A highly recognized thought leader on product liability law and issues, Beck is the founder and co-host of the award-winning Drug and Device Law Blog. He frequently contributes blogposts on highly significant legal decisions and other product liability-related issues affecting drug, biotech and medical device companies.
Beck’s award recognizes his commitment, dedication and tireless work on PDI’s amicus and product liability committees, including successful amicus briefs in the recent Mallory v. Norfolk S. Ry. Co. and Albert v. Sheeley’s Drug Store, Inc. decisions. He also led PDI’s development of suggested standard jury instructions for Pennsylvania product liability cases.
Before that, Beck authored a successful amicus brief in the groundbreaking Tincher v. Omega Flex, Inc. decision, in which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned 35 years of erroneous product liability precedent.
Beck has presented many seminars and education programs for the legal community, and he frequently serves as panelist and speaker at PDI conferences and events.
Original source can be found here.