Madeline Gootman
- San Diego
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Madeline brings practical judgment to federal and state court litigation, risk counseling, government inquiries, and internal investigations.
Madeline Gootman represents leading companies in retail products, app-based platforms, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, and fintech. She defends complex civil cases and advises retailers, manufacturers, and platform operators on risk across the chain of distribution, including product design, labeling, and marketing. Madeline manages multifaceted litigation, coordinates multijurisdictional strategy, and maintains an active counseling practice focused on product risk and compliance, such as coordination with regulatory inquiries and incident response.
Madeline has significant trial and pretrial experience, including arguing motions and examining witnesses. Her pretrial work emphasizes early, trial-oriented strategy throughout discovery and depositions, supported by extensive motion practice and discovery management.
Education & Credentials
Education
- Duke University School of Law, J.D.
- Vanderbilt University, B.A., cum laude
Bar and Court Admissions
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California
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District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Related Employment
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Washington, D.C., Associate
- White & Case LLP, Washington, D.C., Associate
Impact
Community Involvement
- National Association of Women Lawyers, Member
Professional Experience
Litigation
- Defended leading online marketplace in coordinated product liability strategy across lawsuits in at least fifteen states involving a range of platform‑purchased products, including items sold by third‑party sellers and by the marketplace entity.
- Represented rideshare company in personal injury suit alleging vicarious liability for platform user conduct.
- Defended nicotine vapor company in coordinated litigation across multiple jurisdictions, including a multidistrict litigation, against government and private claims alleging youth-targeted marketing and product-related injuries.*
- Defended pharmaceutical company in multistate opioid litigation across separate state and federal dockets, including a staged multidistrict litigation organized by plaintiff type, including government, personal injury, and third-party payors.*
- Led affirmative enforcement for a pharmaceutical company, executing a mass cease-and-desist campaign to address knockoffs and potential compounding violations involving a new blockbuster medication.*
- Defended oil company in personal injury litigation arising from alleged asbestos exposure at its historical St. Croix refinery and coordinated restructuring of associated mass tort liability alleged for the refinery.*
*Prior Experience
Counseling
- Advised sports equipment company on U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reporting structure.
- Advised entertainment company on CPSC requirements for reporting and packaging related to gaming products.
- Advised transportation technology company on privilege, corporate structure, and litigation risk implications for potential dispute with joint venture partner.*
*Prior Experience