Katherine Armstrong
Counsel | New York
Katherine Armstrong

Katherine Armstrong represents clients in mass torts and product liability litigation, supporting the national coordination and defense of large, multi-plaintiff litigation, as well as individual cases. She has defended companies across a range of industries, including pharmaceutical, medical devices, paper manufacturing, building materials, insurance and crop sciences.

Prior to joining Dechert, Ms. Armstrong was of counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan.

  • A major paper manufacturer in several class actions and multi-plaintiff lawsuits involving environmental claims.
  • A pharmaceutical manufacturer of a recalled generic medicine in a nationwide, personal injury/product liability class action.
  • A major medical device manufacturer in numerous putative class actions across the country in cases involving a variety of products. Prevailed in arguments challenging class certification and obtained several dismissals on grounds of preemption.  
  • A major insurer in litigation brought by or against the states of Mississippi and Louisiana. Prevailed in arguments challenging federal jurisdiction, including on appeal. 
  • A pharmaceutical company in two MDLs (now closed) and state court cases in which plaintiffs alleged an increased risk of birth defects from use of the company’s prescription medicines during pregnancy.
  • Firefighting foam manufacturers in individual and class action product liability lawsuits.
  • A medical device manufacturer in consolidated and multidistrict product liability lawsuits.  

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm.

Services Industries
    • University of Texas at Austin, B.A., 1980, with Highest Honors, Phi Beta Kappa
    • University of Texas at Austin, J.D., 1985, with High Honors, Texas Law Review, Chancellors, Order of the Coif
    • New York
    • Supreme Court of the United States
    • United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
    • United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the Western District of Texas
    • United States District Court for the District of Colorado
    • United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin