Partner

Shayna E. Sacks

Ms. Sacks has extensive experience in governmental affairs, pharmaceutical litigation, environmental litigation and mass torts.

Contact Shayna E. Sacks

Fight the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you. -Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Insulin Pricing Scheme lawsuit filedShayna E. Sacks is a partner who focuses her nationwide practice on obtaining the best results for clients in the areas of governmental affairs and mass tort litigation, including pharmaceutical products liability, environmental litigation, personal injury, medical malpractice, and medical device liability cases.

Opioid Litigation

Along with other firm attorneys, Ms. Sacks leads efforts on behalf of cities and counties nationwide in In re National Prescription Opiate Litigation which has resulted in billions in settlements with opioid manufacturers, distributors and retail pharmacies to directly pay state and local governments impacted by the opioid crisis. She was also part of the team that represented Nassau County in the New York coordinated trial, which was the first jury opioid trial in the country.

Environmental Litigation

As part of the environmental team, Ms. Sacks advises clients and works with water districts, municipalities, counties and other entities whose water and wastewater have been negatively impacted by the use of perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanoic sulfate by airports, military bases and local industries.

Firearm Industry Litigation

She is also one of the lead attorneys on the landmark lawsuits filed against the gun industry on behalf of the cities of Buffalo and Rochester in New York. The lawsuits target gun manufacturers as well as “ghost gun” companies. As Ms. Sacks makes clear, “the suit does not seek to restrict legal gun ownership, only to hold the companies responsible for illegal gun possession and the resulting effect on communities.”

Food Allergy Policies

FASTER Act Sesame SeedMs. Sacks is also an advocate for stronger policies and procedures regarding food allergies in all aspects of our community. As her husband and son are allergic to peanuts and other foods, she personally understands how dangerous the mislabeling and mishandling of food can be.

Court Appointments

She served as Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel in the In Re: Plavix Product Liability and Marketing Litigation, appointed by the Honorable Freda L. Wolfson of the United States District Court, District of New Jersey. She currently serves as a member of the Plaintiff’s Steering Committee in the In Re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2789), appointed by the Honorable Claire C. Cecchi of the United States District Court, District of New Jersey.

Prior to joining Napoli Shkolnik PLLC, Ms. Sacks worked at Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP, with a concentration in pharmaceutical products liability litigation. Previously, she worked at Baker Sanders Barshay Grossman Fass Muhlstock & Neuwirth, LLC, in their no-fault litigation department. Earlier in her career, Ms. Sacks worked at Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, Shkolnik & McCartney, LLP, and Lewis Saul & Associates, focusing on pharmaceutical products liability, automobile, medical device, and medical malpractice litigation. While attending law school, she interned with the Legal Aid Society, Federal Defenders Division, Southern District of New York.

Bar Admissions

  • New York
  • United States District Court, Southern District of New York
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
  • New Jersey
  • United States District Court, District of New Jersey
  • Connecticut

Education

  • New York Law School, J.D.
  • American University, B.A.

Awards and Honors

Professional affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • American Association of Justice (AAJ), The Toxic, Environmental, and Pharmaceutical Torts (STEPS) Group
  • Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA)
  • New York Women’s Bar Association (NYWBA)

Publications

Speaking Engagements

Panelist, Hair Relaxer/Hair Straightener: Overview, HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Hair Straightener & Social Media Litigation (January 25, 2023)

Opioid Litigation: Where We’re At with Shayna Sacks, Mass Tort News LegalCast (November 17, 2022)

Speaker, Opioid Settlement Funds ~ What Counties Are Doing to Curb the Opioid Epidemic, 2022 NYSAC Fall Seminar (September 20, 2022)

Presenter, Celebrating County Opioid Litigation Wins and Planning for What’s Next, NACo Annual Conference (July 23, 2022)

Speaker, Mass Tort Dockets: Updates and Insights, Medical Devices, Mass Torts Puerto Rico (May 5, 2022)

Presenter, Effective Opioid Abatement Strategies, NYSAC 2022 Legislative Conference (March 14, 2022)

Panelist, County Strategies for Navigating Opioid Settlements, 2021 NACo Annual Conference (July 11, 2021)

Panelist, New Technology, New Liability: Product Liability Risks in the Digital Age, American Bar Association: 2019 Section of Litigation & Solo, Small Firm and General Practice Division CLE Conference (May 1-3, 2019)

Speaker, The Appropriateness of Nuisance as a Remedy”, Perrin Conferences: The Opioid Litigation Conference (June 28, 2018)

Speaker, “Opioids: Science, Medicine & Litigation, HB Litigation Conferences presents Mass Tort Med School: Emerging medical & litigation issues for plaintiff attorneys (May 9 -11, 2018)

Featured Speaker, The Opioid Crisis: Where Are We?, Safe America Foundation’s 2018 World Spring Symposium (April 2018)

Speaker, State Court Opioid Litigation Updates & Liability Theories, HarrisMartin’s Opioid Litigation Conference (March 2, 2018)

Speaker, Onglyza and Kombiglyze: Venue and Case Selection Criteria, HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Onglyza, Opioid & Sorin 3T Heater-Cooler System Litigation (January 24, 2018)

Faculty Member, Opioid Crisis: Claims, Damages & Science”, HB Litigation Conferences (January 2018)

Conference Co-Chair, “Plaintiff Opioid MDL Conference, HarrisMartin Publishing (January 2018)

Featured Panelist, Mass Torts on State and Federal Cooperation & Litigation Group Update: Opioids, Mass Tort Seminar 2017 presented by the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association (CTLA)

Featured Speaker, The Opioid Epidemic, Safe America Foundation’s 2017 World Safe Summit (October 2017)

Featured Speaker, The Judiciary & MDL and the State Court Consolidations: A Delicate Balance. Plaintiffs’ Forum on Mass Tort Litigation by Cambridge Forums

Featured Panelist, Current Landscape of Opioid Litigation”, National Opioid Litigation Conference: HarrisMartin Publishing

Speaker, The History of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. v. Superior Court: How Did It Get Here So Fast, HarrisMartin California Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation Conference: The Impact of Daimler and BMS-Plavix

Media Appearances

City of Buffalo sues gun manufacturers, calling them a threat to public health in lawsuit, CNN (December 21, 2022)

Buffalo files lawsuit against gun industry, MSN, (December 21, 2022)

NSSF Rejects City of Buffalo’s Frivolous Lawsuit Against Firearm Industry Members, NSSF (December 21, 2022)

City of Buffalo files first of its kind lawsuit against gun industry, ABC News (December 21, 2022)

City of Buffalo suing gun industry members , WIVB4, (December 21, 2022)

City of Buffalo files lawsuit against firearm industry members, WGRZ, (December 21, 2022)

Congressman Brian Higgins Issues Statement in Support of Buffalo Lawsuit Against Firearm Industry, Higgins House Gov, (December 21, 2022)

Buffalo Sues Firearms Makers Over Gun Violence And Deaths, Law360.com (December 20, 2022)

City of Buffalo Files Lawsuit Against Firearms Companies, Buffalony Gov, (December 21, 2022)

Brown files lawsuit against firearms industry, Audacy, (December 21, 2022)

Rochester suing gun manufacturers as part of anti-violence efforts , WXXI News, (December 21, 2022)

Mayor Evans Announces City Lawsuit Against Firearms Companies, City of Rochester Gov, (December 21, 2022)

I Want to See my Grandchild Grow up: These Attorneys are Fighting Gunmakers, Law.com, (December 20, 2022)

City of Rochester to sue gun manufacturers over local violence, CNY, (December 21, 2022)

The city of Rochester is suing the gun industry as violence continues, ENews, (December 21, 2022)

City of Rochester takes aim at gun manufacturers, Rochester Beam,(December 21, 2022)

Buffalo Files Massive ‘First of Its Kind’ Lawsuit Claiming Gun Companies Have Created a ‘Public Nuisance’. Law and Crime, (December 21, 2022)

N.C. car dealership sues Carvana, says online dealer doesn’t follow the rules, Spectrum Local News, (November 22, 2022)

Walmart Confirms $3B Deal Over Pharmacies’ Opioid Sales, Law360 (November 15, 2022)

Teva Pharmaceuticals settles New York opioid lawsuits for $523M, Top Class Actions, (November 4, 2022)

NY Reaches $523M Opioid Deal With Teva, Law360, (November 3, 2022)

CVS, Walgreens Offer $10B To End Nationwide Opioid Suits, Law360, (November 2, 2022)

Impact Addiction: Commissioner speaks from heart at national conference, The News Herald (July 29, 2022)

Nationwide, Counties Prepare for Influx of Opioid Settlement Funds, Conduit Street (July 27, 2022)

Counties plan funding as opioid settlement payout nears, NACo CN County News (July 24, 2022)

NY Opioid Deliberations Delayed After Rancorous Closing Day, Law360 (December 13, 2021)

Drug Companies in Long Island Opioid Trial Move for Mistrial, Citing State’s Error During Closing Argument, Law.com (December 13, 2021)

Allergan Opioid Settlement Leaves Teva Alone in N.Y. Trial, msn.com (December 9, 2021)

Attorneys in New York Opioid Trial Prepare Jurors to Consider Six Months of Testimony, Law.com (December 9, 2021)

Teva, affiliates ignored safety to boost opioid sales, jury told, Reuters (December 9, 2021)

Allergan Finance Reaches $200 Million Settlement in New York Opioid Trial on Eve of Closing Arguments, Law.com (December 8, 2021)

Ohio Counties Deride Pharmacies’ Opioid Mistrial Bid, Law360 (November 17, 2021)

Giant Eagle Strikes Deal To Leave Ohio Opioid Bellwether, Law360 (October 27, 2021)

Skadden Strives To Tame Flames In Endo’s Opioid Imbroglio, Law360 (October 26, 2021)

Walmart, CVS Seek Opioid Mistrial After Juror Does Own Research, Bloomberg Law (October 25, 2021)

Pharmacies’ Mistrial Bid Shot Down In Opioid Bellwether, Law360 (October 25, 2021)

Arnold & Porter Tries To ‘Slip’ One Past The Goalie, Gets Benchslapped For Its Efforts, AbovetheLaw.com (October 20, 2021)

Teva Fears ‘Incredibly Damaging’ Parody Videos in Opioid Trial, Law360 (October 19, 2021)

Newsday Report: Law firm in opioids case should be sanctioned, Newsday (October 18, 2021)

Walmart Blasts Ohio Counties’ Sanctions Bid in Opioid Trial, Law360 (October 18, 2021)

Referee recommends sanction for Arnold & Porter in N.Y. opioid case, Reuters (October 16, 2021)

Referee in NY Opioid Litigation Recommends Award of Costs, Monetary Sanctions Against Arnold & Porter for Discovery Failures, Law.com (October 15, 2021)

NY Counties Sound Alarm Over Doctor As Opioid Trial Witness, Law360 (October 15, 2021)

CVS, Walmart Opioid Trial Defense Hazy on Pharmacists’ Role, Law360 (October 5, 2021)

Palm Beach County moves toward settlement with major opioid distributors, manufacturer, The Palm Beach Post (October 7, 2021)

Legislator: Prioritize Genesee County departments when it comes to spending opioid settlement funds, The Batavian (October 7, 2021)

Endo Pharmaceuticals Reaches Settlement in New York Opioid Trial, New York Law Journal/Law.com (September 10, 2021)

Pharmaceutical Company Endo Settles Opioid Claims by New York, Lawyer Monthly (September 10, 2021)

Drugmaker Endo settles opioid claims by New York, counties for $50 mln, Reuters (September 9, 2021)

Schuyler County to receive $121,000 through opioid epidemic lawsuit settlement

As covered by WENY (September 8, 2021), MyTwinTiers.com (September 8, 2021)

Yates, Schuyler consider opioid settlement, observer-review.com (September 7, 2021)

Genesee County may approve opioid settlement pact, The Daily News (August 31, 2021)

Rite Aid Strikes Deal To Avert Opioid MDL’s 1st Pharmacy Trial, Law360 (August 26, 2021)

Grocery Chain Wants Out Of Ohio Counties’ Opioid Bellwether, Law360 (August 18, 2021)

Endo now faces contempt as well as default in N.Y. opioid trial, Reuters (August 12, 2021)

Bid by Lawyers for NY State to Hold Arnold & Porter, Endo Pharma in Contempt Complicates Long Island Opioid Trial, New York Law Journal/Law.com (August 12, 2021)

Atty Fees Capped At 15% In $26B Opioid MDL Settlement, Law360 (August 9, 2021)

Arnold & Porter Atty Opioid Trial Remarks ‘Crazy,’ Court Told, Law360 (August 9, 2021)

Sault urged to join lawsuit against opioid makers, distributors, sootoday.com (August 6, 2021)

“We cannot go on in this condition” N.Y. AG tells opioid trial judge, Reuters (August 6, 2021)

Endo, Arnold & Porter deny deliberately withholding opioid evidence, Reuters (August 5, 2021)

Endo Calls Out Fiery ‘Rhetoric’ In NY Opioid Trial, Law360 (August 5, 2021)

Endo faces default over hiding ‘smoking gun’ opioid evidence (again), Reuters (August 3, 2021)

NY Judge Rips Endo On Lagging Discovery In Opioid Trial, Law360 (August 2, 2021)

Drug Makers To Pay For Treatment, Prevention, Great Neck Record (July 29, 2021)

AGs Unveil $26B Global Opioid Deal With J&J, Distributors, Law360 (July 21, 2021)

New York, Drug Distributors Reach $1.18 Billion Opioid Settlement as National Deal Looms, One1News (July 21, 2021)

New York Attorney General Announces Settlement With Three Opioid Distributors Amid Long Island Trial, Law.com/New York Law Journal (July 20, 2021)

New York, drug distributors reach $1.18 billion opioid settlement as national deal looms, Reuters (July 20, 2021)

Nassau, Suffolk Reach Opioid Crisis Settlements With ‘Big Three’ Drug Companies, Long Island Press (July 20, 2021)

Drug distributors to pay up to $1.1 bln to settle New York opioid case, Financial Post (July 20, 2021)

New York, drug distributors reach $1.18 billion opioid settlement as national deal looms, Express Pharma (July 20, 2021)

GCASA director: Multimillion dollar deal with opioid distributors would ‘stabilize’ treatment system, The Batavian (July 20, 2021)

AG: State reaches $1.1 billion settlement with opioid distributors, Newsday (July 20, 2021)

Drug Distributors Strike $1.1B Opioid Deal, Exit NY Trial, Law360 (July 20, 2021)

Landmark Opioid Trial Opens in New York, Courtroom View Network (CVN) (July 2, 2021)

‘Honesty Was In Short Supply’: N.Y. Trial Starts With Arguments Against Opioid Makers, WBFO npr (June 30, 2021)

Opioid Suppliers Rebut Claims in First Jury Trial Over Epidemic, Bloomberg (June 30, 2021)

Heroin Needle and Cereal Box Figure in Plaintiffs’ NY Opioid Trial Opening, New York Law Journal/Law.com (June 30, 2021)

Suffolk’s Lawyer Urges Jurors to Hold Drugmakers Liable for Opioid Crisis, Long Island Press (June 30, 2021)

Facing 1st Jury Opioid Attys Turn to Instagram, ‘Wizard of Oz’, Law360 (June 29, 2021)

Landmark opioid trial opens as lawyers address jurors for first time, Newsday (June 29, 2021)

Drug Cos. Share Blame For Opioid Crisis, NY Jury Told, Law360 (June 29, 2021)

‘Calculated Decision in Boardrooms’ Led to Crisis, Lawyers Say in Opening NY Opioid Suit, New York Law Journal/Law.com (June 29, 2021)

Jury in New York opioids lawsuit gets instructions, Newsday (June 28, 2021)

Nation’s Eyes On New York As Unprecedented Opioid Trial Begins On Long Island, CBS-2 New York (June 28, 2021)

A Look At A Lawsuit Filed By NY Municipalities Over Opioid Crisis, WSKG npr PBS (June 23, 2021)

3 Pharmacies Cut From NY Opioid Trial, CVS Reaches Deal, Law360 (June 25, 2021)

New  York Opioid Trial Delayed Again As Jury Selection Lags, Law360 (June 16, 2021)

City of Grande Prairie files proposed $10B class-action lawsuit against opioid companies

Napoli Shkolnik PLLC and Team Obtain Landmark Opioid Settlement in Federal Opioid Litigation, Olean Times Herald (October 22, 2019)

What a judge’s decision in a lawsuit against opioid manufacturers and distributors means for Forsyth County, Forsyth County News (September 29, 2019)

New York Metro-Top Women 2019 Super Lawyers® Magazine (March 2019)

New York Metro-Top Women 2018 Super Lawyers® Magazine (March 2018)

Five more counties file lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies for opioid epidemic, West Virginia Record (December 17, 2018)

NJ Justices Centralize Taxotere Hair-Loss Suits, Law360 (August 21, 2018)

Court Grants Mass Tort Status to Suits Over Breast Cancer Drug Taxotere, New Jersey Law Journal, (August 21, 2018)

County files lawsuit against opioid manufacturers, The Champion (1/11/18)

WSBTV-2 Georgia

University of Georgia, WUGA Live Radio

DeKalb County sues opioid makers over costs of addiction, deaths, AJC.com (12/21/17)

Forsyth County joins lawsuit against opioid industry, Forsyth Herald (12/6/17)

2 More NJ Towns Bring Suits Against Makers of Opioids, New Jersey Law Journal (12/5/17)

Forsyth County considers joining lawsuit against opioid industry, Forsyth Herald (11/15/17)

Forsyth County may join opioid suits, AJC.com (11/14/17)

County commissioners consider opioid lawsuit, Forsyth County News (11/12/17)

BOCA hears opioid lawsuit pitch, The Covington News (11/12/17)

Court Appointments

  • Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel, In Re: Plavix Product Liability and Marketing Litigation (MDL 2418)
  • Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, In Re: Proton-Pump Inhibitor Products Liability Litigation (MDL 2789)
  • Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee, Childress v. Amylin Pharmaceuticals, LLC et al, Incretin Thyroid Cancer Litigation
  • Member, Taxotere – Privilege, Confidentiality and Protective Orders Committee (MDL 2740)

Representative Cases and Settlements of Note

*Results May Vary Depending On Your Particular Facts and Legal Circumstances*

$650 Million Ruling in National Pharmacy Chain Opioid Trial
U.S. District Court for Northern Ohio Judge Dan Aaron Polster ruled that CVS, Walgreens and Walmart must pay over $650 million over 15 years and set up an abatement program to Lake and Trumbull counties. The ruling is the first by a federal judge that assigns a monetary amount against pharmacy chains for their role in the opioid epidemic.

The funds will be used in programs to address the fallout from opioid abuse the defendant’s marketing of opioids caused.

Jury Verdict in National Opioid Trial
This jury verdict was secured on behalf of our clients Lake and Trumbull Counties (OH) against pharmacy giants CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.

$1.1 Billion Settlement: New York Opioid Jury Trial
This settlement was reached with the three largest drug distributors, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health and McKesson, in the first opioid jury trial.
(Napoli Shkolnik is Counsel to Nassau County.)

$50 Million Settlement: New York Opioid Jury Trial
Endo Pharmaceutical agreed to this settlement to end their involvement in the NY opioid jury trial, where the company was accused of its role in the opioid epidemic.
(Napoli Shkolnik is Counsel to Nassau County.)

$320 Million Opioid Settlement
This landmark settlement was reached on behalf of Cuyahoga County (OH), one of the bellwether plaintiffs in the National Opioid Litigation, against four of the key players responsible for the opioid epidemic.

In re: Pradaxa (Dabigatran Etexilate) Products Liability Litigation: Ms. Sacks’ clients participated in the $650 Million Pradaxa Master Settlement Program for compensation for their bleeding injuries caused by the blood thinner Pradaxa.

Other Experience

  • Napoli Bern Ripka Shkolnik LLP
  • Baker Sanders, LLC, formerly known as, Baker Sanders Barshay Grossman Fass Muhlstock & Neuwirth, LLC
  • Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, McCartney & Giuffra LLP, formerly known as Rheingold, Valet, Rheingold, Shkolnik & McCartney LLP

Areas of Practice

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National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Member Seal

Our Locations

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