Experience

In the 1990s, Gerry played a central role in some of the largest, most consequential consolidations of asbestos cases in the country.  She defended Pittsburgh Corning Corporation in the first consolidation, which consisted of more than 8,500 cases.  She tried the eight-month trial and was an active participant throughout the appeal proceeds.  The client’s primary goal was to prevail on the issue of punitive damages; to attain that result, it was imperative to preserve the record for over three years, including the lengthy trial.  The goal of overturning the punitive damages award was accomplished on appeal.  ACandS v. Godwin, 340 Md. 334 (1995).  Since that case, no punitive damage award has been upheld in Maryland in an asbestos case.  In addition, she represented Owens-Illinois and Fibreboard Corporation in the second consolidated trial of more than 1,300 cases, ACandS, Inc. v. Abate, 121 Md. App. 590 (1998).  Following the consolidations, Gerry was an active participant in the ensuing mesothelioma trials and mini-trials including serving as medical and discovery lead on many occasions.  She also successfully argued that the burden of proof is on the plaintiff for the application of the damages cap in Owens-Corning v. Walatka, 125 Md. App. 313, 725 A.2d 579 (1999).  She also participated in an appeal in an employment case in federal court where summary judgment was affirmed as to 30 plaintiffs on causation issues in a case in which the employer was alleged to have negligently hired and supervised  an employee in an arson case, Antonio v. SSA Sec., Inc., 749 F. 3d 227 (4th Circuit, 2014).  She has served on various Committees related to personal injury asbestos work including Committees related to the electronic filing system as well as a Defense Steering Committee that regularly met with the Administrative and trial judges in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.