Grant W. Hollingsworth practices in the Firm's Complex Litigation, Toxic Torts & Products Liability, and Government Investigations groups, with his current core clients consisting of chemical and drug manufacturers. Mr. Hollingsworth has an innate ability to develop favorable witness testimony. He has substantial experience preparing company witnesses for deposition and trial, and routinely prepares scientific experts for deposition, Daubert hearings, and trial. He is also regularly deployed to take depositions of plaintiffs’ experts, as well as fact witnesses. He has been a member of several trial teams where he is often asked to participate in preparing witnesses.
Mr. Hollingsworth is highly involved in developing case themes based on the initial review of company documents and public media. He has a keen understanding of the likely use of those documents against company witnesses, and also has experience in crafting affirmative, aggressive discovery of the plaintiffs, plaintiffs’ witnesses, and third parties, all with the goal of promoting the company’s defenses. He understands how to leverage favorable testimony in crafting arguments to win cases at the summary judgment, trial, and appellate levels. See, e.g., Collins v. Novartis Pharm. Corp., No. 2:08-cv-438, 2015 WL 178157 (M.D. Ala. Jan. 14, 2015) (granting summary judgment where defendant presented overwhelming evidence that the drug was fit for its intended purpose).
Mr. Hollingsworth also has experience in government investigations. Most recently, he represented a client regarding investigations by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General regarding potential fraudulent actions by a government official. He has represented clients under state and federal investigations for consumer fraud, including counseling the clients as to the best ways to navigate various laws and regulations in conducting their business going forward.
Mr. Hollingsworth currently represents an NFL team in complex litigation arising out of its operations, including suits concerning the scope and enforceability of ticketing contracts. He also has recent experience in employment law matters, including first-chair experience at hearings in federal district court, defending a client against allegations of stolen proprietary information and defamation.
Before joining the Firm, Mr. Hollingsworth clerked in the General Counsel’s office at Norfolk Southern Corporation, and has since helped represent the Firm’s railroad clients in environmental and toxic tort matters. In June 2013, he attended the National Railroad Trial College and is now a member of the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel.
Mr. Hollingsworth is a member of the Firm's Recruitment Committee and his pro bono practice has included representing the Friends of the National Arboretum (“FONA”) in litigation involving sewage contamination of waterways within the property.
Mr. Hollingsworth attended Brown University, where he played varsity lacrosse and received his bachelor's degree in Religious Studies. He was a member of the Firm's 2010 Summer Associate class.