Justice Law Collaborative Partners Named Among Nation’s Top 500 for Consumer Litigation
Two Justice Law Collaborative partners have been named to the list of the nation’s 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers by Lawdragon. Firm co-founders Kim Dougherty and Paula Bliss were recognized by Lawdragon's editors based on peer nominations, third-party research and extensive editorial evaluation.
Most recently, Dougherty has tackled young adult health and wellness retreats, many of which have been found to be negligent and abusive, and also part of what has come to be known as the 'troubled teen industry.' In conjunction with legislators and survivors, including celebrity Paris Hilton, Dougherty has advocated for more stringent state and federal oversight and legislative frameworks to limit the potential for future harm. She has also filed lawsuits against facilities that operate in this realm, alleging that the self-promoted therapeutic wilderness-based residential treatment programs for young adults misled parents, charged exorbitant fees, and fostered abusive environments.
Bliss remains on the forefront of pharmaceutical and medical malpractice law. Last October, along with co-counselors Allison Freeman of Constable Law and Shanon Carson of Berger Montague, Bliss took aim at the unregulated in vitro fertilization industry (IVF), specifically recognizing deeply questionable business practices related to the use of Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGT-A). PGT-A is advertised as a genetic test that purports to analyze the chromosomal makeup of fertilized human embryos and screens them for chromosomal abnormalities. The add-on test (not included in most IVF treatment plans) typically costs thousands of dollars and is rarely covered by health insurance. Further, a large randomized trial published in the New England Journal of Medicine, challenged the widespread use of PGT-A, suggesting that it does not significantly improve IVF outcomes and may even have unintended negative consequences, such as the destruction and discarding of potentially viable embryos.
The firm, led by attorneys with extensive experience in pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, wrongful death, medical malpractice, reproductive rights, sexual assault and abuse, and personal injury cases, has represented athletes abused by Olympic coach Larry Nassar, teenagers tormented by hostile, uncertified schools parading as therapy-based programs for "troubled teens," and has represented consumers and patients harmed by corporate greed and negligence, specifically the pharmaceutical, reproductive medicine, and tobacco industries. JLC has also remained at the forefront of legislative reform, spearheading efforts to modify statutes of limitations and enact new laws to protect the innocent and to provide proper financial and judicial remedies to victims.
The consistent advocacy and community engagement of firm partners has also led to Justice Law Collaborative’s selection as a Best Women-Led Law Firm (2024) and receipt of Empowering Women (2024) honors from Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
Source: Lawdragon