Sam Felker, managing shareholder in Baker Donelson's Fort Lauderdale office, is a member of the Firm's Product Liability and Mass Tort Group and practices a wide variety of civil litigation.

Featured Experience

Successfully defended a transportation client in a serious collision case involving allegations of traumatic brain injury as well as debilitating orthopedic injuries.

Obtained summary judgment for a prosthetic device assembler and seller in a federal court products liability suit alleging injury from the failed device.

Served as national counsel for a major U.S. food company in multiple significant cases alleging product contamination.

Professional Biography

Overview

During the course of his career, Sam has successfully represented clients in significant litigation involving products liability, transportation, food safety, toxic torts, medical malpractice and also commercial matters, including the trial of cases throughout the United States. In complex pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, Sam has served as national, regional and local counsel in defending manufacturers in coordinated mass tort proceedings.

In the area of commercial litigation, Sam represents clients in matters involving insurance coverage, breach of contract, theft of trade secrets, defamation and intellectual property. A trained mediator, Sam is well-versed in all forms of alternative dispute resolution and is a AAA Arbitrator. Sam is also a Certified Information and Privacy Specialist (CIPP/US), advising clients in various aspects of data security and privacy.

Sam is also a member of the Firm's Business Litigation, Transportation, and Government Enforcement & Investigations Groups.

Representative Matters

Defended the manufacturer of pelvic mesh devices in multiple suits in federal court and served on the expert witness team.
Successfully defended a transportation client in a serious collision case involving allegations of traumatic brain injury as well as debilitating orthopedic injuries.
Represented a trucking company in a wrongful death case in Florida, achieving a favorable settlement.
Obtained summary judgment for a prosthetic device assembler and seller in a federal court products liability suit alleging injury from the failed device.
Served as national counsel for a major U.S. food company in multiple significant cases alleging product contamination.
Served as regional counsel for a pharmaceutical manufacturer in multiple suits alleging serious injuries from the use of over-the-counter medication.
Led a team of over 50 attorneys and legal professionals in defending a pharmaceutical company in diet drug litigation in Tennessee, consisting of over 2,500 federal court cases throughout the state. Also served on the client’s national expert witness team deposing medical causation experts throughout the country.
Defended a Japanese insurance company in a significant insurance coverage dispute involving the cost of defending hundreds of suits filed over alleged defective products.
Represented clients in food contamination recalls involving peanut butter products and ingredients.
Defended a smoke alarm manufacturer in a wrongful death case, and coordinated the national defense of similar products.
Defended a leading manufacturer of orthopedic knee and hip devices in multiple suits alleging product defect and failure.
Defended the manufacturer of over-the-counter pain medication against allegations of catastrophic injuries.
Defended the manufacturer of electrical components in a case involving multiple deaths.
Defended a brokerage firm in arbitrations throughout the United States involving alleged securities fraud and broker misconduct.
Secured a large award for a client in an arbitration against its former CFO, who was accused of embezzling company funds, breaching fiduciary duties, and failing to repay amounts owed to the company.

Professional Honors & Activities

AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Listed in Best Lawyers in America® in areas of Commercial Litigation; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Bet-the-Company Litigation
Named the Best Lawyers' 2019 and 2016 Nashville Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year"
Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers since 2006, Personal Injury Defense, Products
Named to Lawdragon Leading 3000 Lawyers in America
Listed as a 2017 Benchmark Litigation "Local Litigation Star"
Trained Civil Mediator under Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 31
Member − Nashville Bar Association, Federal Courts Committee
Member – Tennessee Bar Association; former chair of Litigation Section
Member – Broward County Bar Association
Co-Chair − American Bar Association, ABA Products Liability Committee
Member − Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel; Drug, Device and Biotechnology and Product Liability Sections
President − Tennessee Stonewall Bar Association
Member − Metropolitan Nashville Board of Health
- Past Chair (2014 − 2017)
Member − American Health Lawyers Association
Member − DRI
Recipient − Human Rights Campaign's Community Leadership Award (2008)
Certified Information and Privacy Professional (CIPP/US) by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP)

Publications

"How to ENGAGE the Jury During Voir Dire," ABA Products Liability Litigation Section Newsletter (August 2018)
"Cyber-Threats: Five Tips for Data Protection We Learned in 2017" (December 2017)
"Ready, Set, Go: Preparing and Testing for Data Security Events," Cyber-Threats: What You Need to Know to Protect Your Business Now (October 2017)
"Disgruntled Employees and Other Internal Threats to Your Cybersecurity" (June 2017)
"Vendor Relations – Your Best Friends Really Can Hurt You" (May 2017)
"Baker Donelson Demonstrates Commitment to LGBT Equality with Repeat of Perfect Score on HRC Equality Index," Diversity Matters (April 2017)
"The Internet of Things: 'The Next Big Thing' for Products Litigation," American Bar Association's Section of Litigation publication Litigation News (January 2017)
"Ransomware – A Significant Cybersecurity Concern" (December 2016)
"The October DDoS Attack – Separating Fact from Fiction" (November 2016)
"Prepare for the Hack: Five Things to Keep in Mind when Shopping for Cybersecurity Insurance" (October 2016)
"Ransomware Attack is a Breach – Unless You Can Prove Otherwise" (July 2016)
"Best Practices for Responding to the Threat of Ransomware" (June 2016)
Co-author – "Ransomware Attack on Hospital Highlights the Importance of Preparation for All Organizations," Bloomberg BNA (April 2015)
"Ransomware Attack Highlights Importance of Preparation" (February 2016)
"Lessons Learned from LabMD's Successful Challenge to the FTC's Cyber Authority and Wyndham's Monumental Settlement with the FTC" (January 2016)
"Arrest of Pharma Executive on Federal Kickback Charges Sends Strong Message About DOJ's Initiative on Personal Accountability" (November 2015)
"ABA Resolution 105 on Punitive Damages Is Dead for Now" (July 2015)
"Diversity Profile - Sam Felker," Diversity Matters (July 2015)
"Sixth Circuit Upholds Ban On Same-Sex Marriage and Poses the Question: Who Should Decide?," Diversity Matters (December 2014)
"Reflections on Weeks - The End of a Winning Streak for Brand-Name Manufacturers or Just a Blip on the State-Law Tort Screen?," ABA Section of Litigation, Products Liability Website Newsletter (April 2013)
"50 State Survey on Statutes of Limitations," Tennessee Chapter, ABA Products Liability Committee (2012)
"Top Ten Things: Attorney Client Privilege for In-House Counsel," Association of Corporate Counsel website (July 2011)
"50 Statute Survey on Plaintiff's Medical Care and Treatment - Discovery and Evidentiary Issues," Tennessee Chapter, ABA Products Liability Committee (2011)

Speaking Engagements

"Drone On! Emerging Legal Issues for Commercial Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Will You and Your Clients Be Ready for the Invasion of American Airspace?," ABA Environmental, Mass Torts & Products Liability Joint CLE (Winter 2016)
Panelist – "Cyber Security Risks and Apportioning of Liability: What You Need to Know in 2016 and Beyond," webcast, The Knowledge Group (August 2016)
Panelist – "Send Me in Coach? the Business Case for Diversity in the Legal Profession," ABA Corporate Counsel CLE (Winter 2015)
"Practical Implications of the Recent Federal Rules Amendments - from Bench and Bar Perspectives," Tennessee Bar Association (December 2015)
Moderator – "When Good Lawyers Go Bad-Consequences of Rambo Litigation Tactics In Depositions and At Trial," ABA Section of Litigation Annual Conference (April 2015)
"Leading Through Public Service," Nashville Bar Association, Young Leader's Class (2015)
"The Costs of Leadership," Tennessee Bar Association Leadership Conference (Winter 2014)
"Products Liability Year in Review," ABA Joint CLE Conference, Products Liability Committee (Winter 2014)
Panelist – "Ebola and the Public Health System: Risk Management and Legal Duties in Fighting a Deadly Infectious Disease," ABA Health Law Committee Roundtable (October 2014)
Participant – "Criminal Prosecution of Food Companies," ABA Products Liability Committee, Food & Supplements Subcommittee Roundtable (December 2013)
"Does the Fall of DOMA Change the Lyrics to 'Love and Marriage Go Together Like a Horse and Carriage'?," Lawyers' Association for Women Monthly Meeting (September 2013)
"Effective Time Management and Stress Management," LCLD Mentoring Group, Vanderbilt Law School (October 2012)
"International Issues that Arise in Litigation of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Cases," ABA Pharmaceutical/Medical Device Regional CLE Workshop (November 2011)

Press Releases

Samuel L. Felker Named Managing Shareholder of Baker Donelson's Fort Lauderdale Law Office (May 16, 2019)
86 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 43 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 8, 2018)
94 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 53 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 7, 2017)
Baker Donelson Recognized in 2017 Edition of Benchmark Litigation (November 30, 2016)
98 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2016 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 57 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 14, 2016)
Baker Donelson Recognized in 2016 Edition of Benchmark Litigation (December 3, 2015)
78 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2015 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 43 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 12, 2015)
87 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2014 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 43 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 10, 2014)
Baker Donelson Recognized in 2015 Edition of Benchmark Litigation (September 29, 2014)
Samuel L. Felker Elected Chair of Metropolitan Board of Health (August 22, 2014)

In the News

Sam Felker Talks with Nashville Medical News About Responding to Ransomware Attacks (June 6, 2017)
Sam Felker Talks Cyber Insurance with Mississippi Business Journal (November 17, 2016)

Awards

Samuel Lanier Felker

Practices

Education

University of Virginia, J.D., 1980
University of Tennessee School of Law, 1978
- Torchbearer Award for Academic Excellence
Mississippi State University, B.S., 1977

Admissions

Florida, 2016
Tennessee, 1980
Tennessee Supreme Court, 1980
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Tennessee, 1980
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Tennessee, 2001
U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee, 2007
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, 2016
U.S. Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit, 1987
U.S. Court of Appeals First Circuit, 1993

Featured Media

Samuel L. Felker Named Managing Shareholder of Baker Donelson's Fort Lauderdale Law Office

Press Release / May 16, 2019

86 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 43 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars

Press Release / November 8, 2018

Press Release / August 15, 2018

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