Gerald P. Schneeweis

    Partner
    Morris Polich & Purdy LLP
    San Diego
    Direct: 619.819.2414
    Main: 619.557.0404

    Practice & Industry Focus Biographies:

    Mr. Schneeweis has over 30 years of litigation experience in the representation of clients in state and federal trial and appellate courts. He represents pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers and other businesses in litigation ranging from claims of failure to warn and off-label promotion to trademark infringement and theft of trade secrets. He has successfully represented manufacturers of various prescription medications, including corticosteroids, antibiotics, anti-depressants, birth control, muscle relaxants and anti-seizure products. Mr. Schneeweis has also represented manufacturers and research scientists in lawsuits involving cardiovascular surgical adhesive, retinal implants, human tissue processing and orthopedic stabilization devices, as well as manufacturers of specialty equipment used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. He has also counseled manufacturers on various product liability issues, including adequacy of warnings, marketing and FDA rules on promotion of off-label use. Mr. Schneeweis recently served as national coordinating counsel in multi-plaintiff product liability litigation on behalf of a dermal filler manufacturer/clinical trial sponsor and several of its former officers and directors.

    In addition, Mr. Schneeweis has represented architects, engineers, attorneys and other professionals in litigation over claimed errors and omissions, unfair competition and defamation. He has also acted as counsel to both U.S. based and foreign companies in commercial disputes in U.S. courts, arising from business transactions covering a wide variety of industries, such as steel manufacturing, agriculture and apparel.

    Mr. Schneeweis manages the Morris Polich & Purdy’s San Diego office and chairs the firm's Commercial Law Practice Group.

    When not practicing law, Mr. Schneeweis writes, performs and records music and occasionally catches and releases trout in mountain streams.

    Practices & Industries:
      Commercial Litigation  |  Copyright & Trademark  |  Environmental Law  |  Life Sciences  |  Privacy & Data Security  |  Products Liability  |  Professional Liability  |  Toxic Tort

    Education

    • J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 1981
    • B.A., St. Mary's College, 1976

    Court Admissions

    • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
    • United States District Court for the Central, Eastern and Southern Districts of California

    Bar Admissions

    • California, 1981
    • Massachusetts, 2008

    Professional Memberships and Activities

    • Association of Business Trial Lawyers
    • Defense Research Institute, Drugs and Devices Section
    • San Diego County Bar Association
    • American Bar Association - Litigation and IP Sections

    Distinctions

    • AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated - Martindale-Hubbell

    Speeches, Publications and Email Alerts

    • "Federal Preemption" and "Off-Label Promotion," online courses on FDA regulations of life sciences companies, San Diego State University Masters' program in Regulatory Affairs, May, 2012 
    • "Justices Limit Exposure of Foreign Businesses to US Litigation," Los Angeles Daily Journal, July 7, 2011
    • Webinar: "Best Practices to Avoid & Minimize Product Liability Litigation: a US and EU Perspective," guest speaker for life sciences industry insurer, May 25, 2011
    • Seminar: "Marketing and Protection of Design Professional Services on the Internet," November, 2008
    • Seminar: "Business Promotion on the Internet," April, 2008
    • "Working With The Physician’s Counsel in Defending 'Off-Label Use' Litigation," Defense Research Institute - Rx for the Defense, October, 2007
    • "Advertising and Business Promotion," Lorman Education Services, Pasadena, California, October, 2002
    • "Working With The Physician in Defending Failure to Warn Cases," Defense Research Institute - Rx for the Defense, May 15, 2002
    • International BIO Conference, New York City, 1998 – Presentation on FDA Compliance
    • International BIO Conference, Seattle, 1999 – Presentation on Biotech Product Liability Issues