Sanford Israel Smokler

Attorney Sanford Smokler is a partner at Simmons Hanly Conroy focusing on products liability and personal injury litigation. He represents injured consumers in actions against pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers. His role centers on discovery, fact investigation and evidence development.

“I strategically search for and identify key evidence in order to help develop and prove defendants’ liability stories,” he said. “This evidence is vital for use as exhibits in plaintiffs’ and defendants’ witness depositions and at trial.”

Sanford touts the collaborative environment at Simmons Hanly Conroy as the foundation for groundbreaking legal work and exceptional service to clients, who receive his devoted and undivided attention.

“It is an environment that allows for independence, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking,” he said. “My approach in each case is the same: dedication, determination, attention to detail and a relentless search for the truth.”

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic

Sanford is a key member of the firm’s discovery team in the ongoing National Prescription Opiates Multidistrict Litigation. The MDL represents local governments across the country, alleging drug companies contributed to the opioid crisis by carelessly promoting painkillers and downplaying addiction risks.

The opioid legal team has experienced several successful results in recent years. From June through December 2021, Sanford was a critical team member in the landmark opioid litigation trial in which a jury ultimately found opioid manufacturer Teva and distributor Anda liable for fueling the opioid epidemic in Suffolk County, Nassau County, and New York State. The court will now determine the extent of the liability. In November 2020, the firm announced a proposed $26 billion global settlement with McKesson Corp., Cardinal Health Inc., AmerisourceBergen Drug Corp. and Johnson & Johnson. In October 2019, the team reached a $260 million settlement with these same three distributors, as well as Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., hours before the opening arguments in the first opioid bellwether trial on behalf of Cuyahoga and Summit counties in Ohio. Additional settlements reached earlier to avoid the opening trial brought the total to $325 million.

Protecting Rights of Patients Injured by Hip Implants

Sanford was also involved in the DePuy Pinnacle federal litigation involving more than 9,000 patients injured by Johnson & Johnson’s metal-on-metal hip replacement device. The trial team secured three consecutive nine-figure bellwether trial verdicts, including a $1 billion result for six families. In early 2019, amidst a retrial, Johnson & Johnson agreed to a significant global settlement to resolve all pending litigation.

Representing Those Harmed by Bextra