Donald Strauber

Of Counsel
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP

New York
United States
T:+1 212 408 5205
New York
United States
T:+1 212 408 5205
Donald Strauber

Donald Strauber

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Biography

Donald Strauber has more than 60 years of experience in complex commercial litigation. His work is concentrated in three areas: defense of health-related mass tort litigation, federal securities litigation and other complex disputes. His significant cases include SEC v. Texas Gulf Sulphur (SDNY); the challenge by Pratt & Whitney to the award of the contract for the Space Shuttle Main Engine to Rockwell International (US General Accoutnting Office) and the defense of Jim Beam in Thorp v. Beam (US District Court Seattle) in which it was alleged that distilled spirits cause Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Don counsels companies and associations on best practices and issues related to potential litigation.


Professional experience

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LL.B, cum laude, Harvard Law School, 1960
BA, University of Pennsylvania, 1957

  • New York State Bar
  • Representing The Purdue companies in the defense of the OxyContin® litigation.
  • Represented Jim Beam in connection with Thorp v. Beam relating to the issue of whether a distiller is responsible for a child's alleged "fetal alcohol syndrome." The successful defense of this case before a jury in Seattle resulted in the voluntary dismissal of similar cases around the country and put an end to the feared onslaught of litigation on that issue.
  • Represented Jim Beam in purported class actions throughout the United States dealing with the labeling of products as "All Natural."
  • Represented Rockwell Automation, Inc. (formerly Rockwell International Corporation) in connection with Broad v. Rockwell, a securities class action on behalf of holders of Collins convertible debentures, arising out of the Rockwell-Collins merger, which was successfully tried to a jury in Dallas and affirmed en banc by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Legal 500 Leading lawyer, Litigation - Product Liability and mass tort defense: Consumer products:  The Legal 500 has described him as "the dean of the US beverage alcohol product liability bar" (2010) -- "His signal quality is the maturity of his judgement and he has a record of outstanding success on product liability matters brought to verdict."  (2009)  In 2017 he continued to be named as a "leading lawyer" in products liability and was named to the Legal 500 Hall of Fame which recognizes individuals designated by the Legal 500 as "elite lawyers" for at least six consecutive years.
  • Acritas Star, Acritas, 2018 - 2021
  • New York Metro Super Lawyer, Thomson Reuters, 2018
  • "Products Liability," Chapter 77, Successful Partnering Between Inside and Outside Counsel, (Robert L. Haig), Thomson Reuters/West, 2012
  • Member, Association of the Bar of the City of New York
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Board of Directors, Mobilization for Justice, New York City