University of Miami Law alumna Sabrina Gallo, a proud double Cane, has forged an all-female product liability team at Greenberg Traurig’s Miami office, transforming it into a formidable litigation powerhouse. Gallo reflects on her journey since she started in 2000, shortly after graduation, and how she leveraged her UM network and business law acumen to grow the practice. Together, they’ve tackled high-stakes cases for prominent medical and consumer product companies, tackling issues from Zantac litigation to opioid crises.
What was the most significant lesson you learned during your time at the School of Law that continues to shape your legal career today?
Start building your network from day one of law school and make sure to cultivate those relationships even after law school. Your professors become mentors, and peers become your colleagues, future judges, and future clients.
Building strong relationships has made a significant impact on my career. My mentors at UM helped guide me toward the best career path. From seeking advice from a fellow double Cane alum who helped me land a summer associate position at Greenberg Traurig, which sparked my long career here, to leaning on my network to build my team, these relationships are the foundation of my success.
Can you share a particularly memorable case or experience that stands out in your professional journey and why?
Creating the Miami Product Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Group has been among the most rewarding experiences of my career. I wanted to work with brilliant and experienced trial lawyers, but it was equally important that we all worked well together. Practicing law can be stressful and demanding. Having a team of supportive individuals can foster the most rewarding environment for success.
A testament to the strength of female networking and the UM alumni network, we came together because we knew each other from UM or past litigations, whether across the aisle or representing different parties on the same side.
Today, we have been involved in some of the most high-profile product liability cases, representing many of the world’s leading medical and consumer product manufacturers, including medical device companies such as Medtronic and C. R. Bard, Inc./Becton, Dickinson and Company, pharmaceutical companies like Sandoz and Teva Pharmaceuticals, and a wide range of consumer product companies.
What emerging trends or challenges do you see facing the legal profession in the coming years, and how are you preparing for them?
One of the most prevalent emerging trends and challenges is artificial intelligence. While the use of AI will continue to streamline many areas of legal work, the challenge is how to ensure the resource is not misused. Lawyers should be mindful of AI’s limitations and that it will never replace the sound judgment of the human touch to ensure the information is accurate and reliable. While the efficiencies of AI can be beneficial in the short term, we are also anticipating increased litigation based on misinformation or misuse of AI.
What advice would you give to current law students who are considering pursuing a career in product liability?
Definitely pursue it! Product liability is a diverse and growing area. Since we represent manufacturers in a variety of industries in jurisdictions across the country, it’s important to understand the fundamental principles of product liability law in each state. Taking relevant courses such as tort law, conflict of laws, intellectual property, preemption, and regulatory compliance, as well as mastering legal research and writing, is extremely beneficial.
I also recommend seeking a mentor who practices in this area or an internship working for a firm specializing in product liability so that you can gain further insight into whether this area is right for you.
How has your experience as a School of Law alumna impacted your personal and professional life, and how do you stay connected to the school and its community?"
My UM network has had the greatest impact on both my personal and professional life. My dearest friends remain my law school classmates. My Greenberg Traurig team was formed with many fellow UM alumni, including former shareholders Rebecca Ocariz and Alexandra Bach Lagos, who have since left to return to the University to teach, and many others in the South Florida legal community, such as former shareholder and current United States Magistrate Judge, Enjoliqué Aytch Lett.
I also remain involved with the recruiting team and mentor students interested in following a path similar to mine—Big Law, science-oriented litigation, and product liability cases. I am always interested in filling job opportunities with students from the School of Law. Their legal training is among the best!
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