Brian Raphel

Partner

New York

Brian Raphel, a partner in Orrick's Complex Litigation Department, relies on his wealth of trial experience to obtain beneficial outcomes for a wide variety of clients.

Brian is a trial lawyer who specializes in preparing complex cases for trial in an efficient and effective manner. He has prepared dozens of cases for trial in venues across the country in matters involving products liability, shareholder litigation, white collar criminal litigation, and bankruptcy proceedings, many of which have resulted in significant victories before or during the trial. He also is an experienced manager, having led large teams of attorneys and other legal professionals to conduct trials, internal investigations, and e-discovery efforts. Clients have praised Brian for his dedication to the work, substantive excellence, and responsiveness.

  • Brian maintains an active pro bono practice, in which he has assisted vulnerable communities to defend their constitutional rights, including the right to marry, the right to vote, equal protection, and prisoner's rights.

    Brian lives in New Jersey with his wife, Pamela, and their two children, Dylan and Gemma.

    • Represents a major agriculture company in cutting edge intellectual property litigation regarding genetically modified corn and soybean seeds.
    • Represents multiple cosmetic talc companies at trial and in pre-trial proceedings regarding allegations that cosmetic talc may be contaminated with asbestos.
    • Represented a medical device company in two trials in which plaintiffs alleged injury from pelvic mesh products.  Both cases resulted in defense verdicts.
    • Represented a chemical company in a three-week jury trial in which plaintiffs alleged that exposure to client’s product caused their father to develop a fatal form of cancer. The jury returned a defense verdict.
    • Represented a chemical company in a one-month jury trial in New York. Plaintiffs alleged that exposure to products containing the company’s product caused the death of a 42-year-old mother of three young children and sought more than $20 million in damages. The jury returned a complete defense verdict.
    • Represented a chemical company in a six-week products liability jury trial in New York City. The plaintiff sought more than $17 million in damages. The jury returned a full defense verdict.
    • Represented a major pharmaceutical company in state and federal cases arising out of its sale of prescription opioids.
    • Represented an audio technology company and its former private equity sponsor at trial in Las Vegas. The plaintiff, asserting a unique form of breach of fiduciary duty claim, sought more than $10 million but the court issued a directed verdict in defendants' favor mid-trial.
    • Obtained dismissal of a complaint against Schwab Investments, among other parties, with a precedent-setting SLUSA preclusion defense, which was affirmed on appeal by the Ninth Circuit.