Lyn P. Pruitt

Lyn Pruitt has built a reputation as one of the country’s most talented and respected litigators defending pharmaceutical and medical device companies in the most critical product liability cases over the past 20 years. With years of extensive trial experience, she has served as first-chair in over 60 jury trials to verdict.  Lyn also represents Fortune 500 companies in consumer class actions and toxic tort matters.

Experience

• Served as lead trial counsel in Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) products liability litigation achieving defense verdict in third bellwether trial.
• Defended hormone therapy drug Prempro as lead counsel achieving seven jury trial victories.
• Represented national statin company and statin drug Lipitor as lead trial counsel for first two bellwether cases.
• Represented defendant insurance company in the first (class action) case to be decided by the United States Supreme Court concerning CAFA jurisdiction.
• Defended manufacturer of respiratory equipment as lead counsel obtaining defense verdicts in silica cases.
• Represented pharmaceutical and medical device companies as co-lead trial counsel on national trial teams.

Education

• University of Arkansas at Little Rock, William H. Bowen School of Law J.D., with honors (1984)
• Ouachita Baptist University B.A., summa cum laude (1980)

Professional Recognition

• Chambers USA: Recognized Practitioner in Litigation: Trial Lawyers USA Nationwide (2019)
• Chambers USA: Ranked in Litigation: General Commercial in Arkansas (2015, 2017-2019)
• Chambers USA: Ranked in Litigation: Medical Malpractice (2015, 2017-2018)
• Mid-South Super Lawyers: Personal Injury Products Defense (2006-2019)
• Mid-South Super Lawyers Top 50 Arkansas: (2017, 2018, 2019)
• Mid-South Super Lawyers Top 50 Women:  (2017, 2018, 2019)
• The Best Lawyers in America©:  Commercial Litigation (2020) 
• The Best Lawyers in America©:  Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2011-2020) 
• The Best Lawyers in America©:  Product Liability Litigation- Defendants (2011-2020)
• The Best Lawyers in America©:  Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2013-2020)
• Best Lawyers® 2019: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions Defendants "Lawyer of the Year"
• Best Lawyers® 2016: Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year"
• Best Lawyers® 2013: Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year"
• Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2003
• Arkansas Business Arkansas 250 Most Influential Leader (2019)
• Benchmark's Top 250 Women in Litigation - (2019)
• Benchmark Litigation - Product Liability, Environmental, Toxic Tort, Local Litigation Star (2013-2015)
• Benchmark's Top 250 Women in Litigation - Arkansas (2013-2014)
• The International Who’s Who of Product Liability Defense Lawyers
• The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers

Involvement

• Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
• Member, Mitchell Williams Board of Directors
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
  • Trial Director, IADC Trial Academy (2017)
  • Faculty, IADC Trial Academy
  • IADC Board of Directors (2004-2008)
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) (Participated in Masters In Trial Program)
• Member, Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • DRI Drug and Medical Device Committee
• Member, American Bar Association
  • ABA Tort and Insurance Practice Section
• Member, Arkansas Bar Association
  • ABA Tort Law Committee
  • ABA Civil Procedure Committee
• Member, Arkansas Civil Jury Instructions Committee (Appointed by the Arkansas Supreme Court)
• Former Chair, Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee
• Fellow, Arkansas Bar Foundation
• Board of Directors, Arkansas Bar Foundation
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Member, William R. Overton Inn of Court
• Member, Pulaski County Bar Association
• Adjunct Professor of Trial Advocacy, University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law (2002-2007)

News & Articles

Firm News

• Mitchell Williams Attorneys Stuart Miller, Lyn Pruitt and Derrick Smith Selected to Arkansas Business 2019 Arkansas 250
• 29 Mitchell Williams Attorneys Named as 2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Lyn Pruitt Served as Panelist at DRI 2019 Annual Meeting in New Orleans - Discussed Keys to Buidling Relationships as a Business Development Strategy
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Lyn Pruitt Elected to the American College of Trial Lawyers Board of Regents
• Forty Mitchell Williams Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 - Six Named as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year"
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Lyn Pruitt Presented at the DRI 2019 Drug and Medical Device Seminar
• Mitchell Williams Law Firm, 21 Attorneys Ranked by 2019 Chambers USA
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Lyn Pruitt Presented at the International Association of Defense Counsel Midyear Meeting - Served on Two Panels for Drug, Device and Biotechnology/Product Liability/Toxic and Hazardous Substances Litigation
• 29 Mitchell Williams Attorneys Named as 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• Forty Mitchell Williams Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 - Six Attorneys Named as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year"
• Mitchell Williams Achieves Rankings by Chambers USA and Chambers High Net Worth - Twenty-two Attorneys and Five Practice Areas Recognized
• Thirty-one Mitchell Williams Attorneys Named as 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
• Thirty-five Mitchell Williams Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2018 - Eight Named as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year"
• Twenty-two Mitchell Williams Attorneys Recognized in 2017 Chambers USA
• Mitchell Williams Member Lyn Pruitt to lead International Association of Defense Counsel's Trial Academy - Member Michelle Browning to Serve as Faculty; Member Megan Hargraves to Participate
• Mitchell Williams Attorney Lyn Pruitt Appointed as Director of the International Association of Defense Counsel's 2017 Trial Academy

Articles

• The Art of Preparation: Cross-Examining Difficult Experts