Alyson Walker Lotman

Representative Matters

• Defending a privately owned airport against claims by neighboring property owners related to PFAS contamination of soil, groundwater and drinking water including medical monitoring.

• Second chaired a three week trial and obtained a defense verdict on behalf of leading motor vehicle company, in which plaintiff claimed that her decedent’s mesothelioma was caused by exposure to the defendant’s products. The jury found that defendant had provided adequate warnings to plaintiff.

• Obtained decision for Ford Motor Company in the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, affirming summary judgment in a product liability case in which the plaintiff contended that Ford was liable for its English subsidiary's products under the "apparent manufacturer" doctrine and the "piercing the corporate veil" theory.

• Second chaired a trial and obtained a defense verdict for an interstate railroad company. Plaintiff alleged that the railroad was negligent for not erecting a barrier between the road and the railroad tracks, and the jury found the railroad was not negligent.

• Defended toxic tort cases, including asbestos and benzene claims, on behalf of various companies.

• Defended generic pharmaceutical manufacturers in failure to warn personal injury litigation.

• Drafted motions and provided other trial support for trial team that obtained a defense verdict for a major automotive manufacturer following a five-and-a-half week trial involving a peritoneal mesothelioma claim brought by a 44-year-old gentleman. The matter involved a unique claim for design defect of company’s braking system.

• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of a defendant where plaintiff claimed asbestos attributable to the client caused a decedent's mesothelioma and subsequent death. Plaintiff's claims included an attempt to pierce the corporate veil to hold the client liable for its wholly owned subsidiary.

• Drafted motions and provided other trial support for trial team that obtained a defense verdict, after a two-week trial, on behalf of a leading motor vehicle company, where the jury found the plaintiff's pleural mesothelioma was caused by therapeutic radiation treatments he received as a teenager and not asbestos exposure.

• Obtained on behalf of a motor vehicle company, in a significant asbestos-related appeal before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania, a reversal of an order granting a mistrial and a reinstatement of a defense verdict from the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

• Obtained decision from Pennsylvania Supreme Court that the “each and every breath” theory of causation lacks general acceptance under Frye in Betz v. Pneumo Abex.
• Served as MDL coordinating counsel for major automobile manufacturer in MDL-875 In re: Asbestos Products Liability Litigation.

• Representing pro bono clients in guardianship cases in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.

• Representing Paraguayan client in seeking return of child to home country pursuant to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction.

Admissions

• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

Education

• Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2007
  Editor in Chief, Villanova Environmental Law Journal
• Bucknell University, B.A., magna cum laude, 2004

Experience

• Duane Morris LLP
  - Partner, 2017-present
  - Associate, 2007-2016

Board Memberships

• Philadelphia VIP
  - Board Member
• Foundation for Learning in Tredyffrin/Easttown
  - Board of Trustees
  - Communications Chair

Selected Publications

• Co-author, "How the Incoming Presidential Administration Could Impact the Transportation Industry," Duane Morris Alert, November 18, 2024
• Co-author, "Consumer Product Safety Commission Finds Amazon Liable for 'Fulfilled by Amazon' Products," Duane Morris Alert, August 5, 2024
• Co-author, "Beauty and Personal Care Products Post-MoCRA Regulatory Compliance Checklist," Lexis Nexis Practical Guidance, June 2023
• Co-author, "EPA Announces Two Proposed Rules That Could Dramatically Increase Electric Vehicle Sales," Duane Morris Alert, April 12, 2023
• Co-author, "Proposed EPA Rule Sets PFAS Limits for Public Drinking Water," Duane Morris Alert, March 15, 2023
• Co-author, "MoCRA Is Here -- Now What? Unpacking Litigation and Regulatory Risk for Cosmetics Brands Following MoCRA's Enactment," Food and Drug Law Institute, Spring 2023
• Co-author, "JPML Consolidates Dozens of Lawsuits into Hair Relaxer MDL in Illinois Federal Court," Duane Morris Alert, February 10, 2023
• Co-author, "Congress Overhauls FDA Cosmetics Authority in Year-End Appropriations Bill," Duane Morris Alert, January 4, 2023
• Co-author, "Consent or Not Consent? U.S. Supreme Court Hears Oral Arguments on Constitutionality of Consent-by-Registration Statutes," Duane Morris Alert, November 11, 2022
• Co-author, "Rulemaking Committee Releases Final Report Suggesting Major Changes to FAA Drone Regulations," Duane Morris Alert, March 29, 2022
• Co-author, "New Jersey Federal Court Limits Scope of Fuel Pump Class Actions Against Auto Manufacturer," Duane Morris Alert, March 18, 2022
• Co-author, "Talc Verdict Overturned as Appellate Court Finds Experts’ Opinions Lacking," IADC Committee Newsletter, May 2021
• Co-author, "Talc Verdict Overturned as Appellate Court Finds Experts' Opinions Lacking," Duane Morris Alert, April 30, 2021
• Co-author, "NHTSA Paves the Way for Further Autonomous Vehicle Research on Public Roads," Duane Morris Alert, January 11, 2021
• Co-author, "FAA Issues Two Key Changes to Drone Regulations, Opening Door to Commercial Use," Duane Morris Alert, January 5, 2021
• Co-author, "Transportation Industry Receives Billions in COVID-19 Financial Assistance in December Relief Bill," Duane Morris Alert, January 4, 2021
• Co-author, "Third Circuit Seeks Help Deciphering Pennsylvania Strict Liability Law," Duane Morris Alert, June 12, 2020
• Co-author, "COVID-19 Wrongful Death Suit Against Cruise Line Harbinger of Litigation to Come," Duane Morris Alert, May 11, 2020
• Co-author, "Waive Goodbye – Pennsylvania Supreme Court Finds Waiver in Case Involving Role of Judge in Jury Selection," Duane Morris Alert, April 28, 2020

• Co-author, "Supreme Court Rejects Bare-Metal Defense in Products Liability Cases Under Maritime Law," Duane Morris Alert, March 21, 2019

• Co-author, "FACT Act Promises Transparency in Bankruptcy Trust Claims and Payments for Asbestos Exposure," Duane Morris Alert, November 18, 2013
• Co-author, "'Every Breath' Theory: On Its Last Breaths? Duane Morris Alert, January 22, 2013
• Co-author, "Third Circuit Ruling Affords Defendants Protection from Amended Complaints After Statute of Limitations Runs Out," Duane Morris Alert, September 10, 2012
• Co-author, "Two-disease Rule No More: Pennsylvania Allows Multiple Malignancy Claims," Duane Morris Alert, February 24, 2012
• Co-author, "Top 10 Tips for Defending Mass Torts in New Jersey," New Jersey Lawyer, August 2011
• Co-author, "Preemption of State Court Motor Vehicle Products Liability Claims After Williamson: Is Preemption Over?" CorporateLiveWire, August 2, 2011
• Co-author, "New Pennsylvania Law Limits Joint and Several Liability," Duane Morris Alert, June 29, 2011
• Co-author, "Top 10 Tips for Defending Mass Torts in New Jersey," LJN's Product Liability Law & Strategy, June 2011
• "A Field of Failed Dreams: Problems Passing Effective Ecoterrorism Legislation," Comment published in Villanova Environmental Law Journal, Volume 18, Issue 1

Selected Speaking Engagements

• Speaker, "Voir Dire and Jury Selection in Pennsylvania," NBI Webinar, July 13, 2023
• Moderator, "Legal Boot Camp: Electric Vehicles and Beyond," Duane Morris Webinar, July 12, 2023
• Speaker, "How to Lay a Foundation to Get Your Evidence Introduced in Pennsylvania," NBI Webinar, August 3, 2022
• Speaker, "How to Prepare for an Expert Deposition," DRI 2021 Asbestos Medicine Seminar, New Orleans, November 4, 2021