Ashley C. Drumm
Overview
Ashley Drumm is a highly experienced mass tort and product liability litigator who excels at managing large portfolios of work. She leads and manages sizeable mass tort defense teams, collaborating to develop deep knowledge of her clients’ products and track issues across jurisdictions. This strategic approach allows her teams to create both short- and long-term strategies to manage current and future cases. Ashley’s tailored defense strategies account for the unique aspects of each case while considering their impact on the entire docket, which may range from more than a dozen to scores of open cases. Ashley also plays a key role in managing multijurisdictional expert issues. She is currently involved in defending a Fortune 500 global toy company in product liability and wrongful death actions related to recalled infant products across multiple jurisdictions. She also leads and manages large mass tort teams for Fortune 100 companies in defense of personal injury and wrongful death asbestos and talc actions across multiple jurisdictions in Florida.
In addition to her mass tort experience, Ashley assists clients in handling stand-alone product liability actions. Whether clients are facing multiple lawsuits or a single lawsuit, she excels at identifying and implementing strategies that align with their goals and business objectives. Her product liability experience spans various industries, including consumer products, chemicals, automotive, tools and equipment, and security equipment, and she has state and federal court litigation experience.
Ashley maintains an active pro bono practice, providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford it. Her pro bono experience includes handling cases related to compassionate release, guardian advocacy, domestic violence, and civil rights issues.
Experience
- Lead and managing counsel for Fortune 100 global chemical company in defense against product liability asbestos actions in multiple jurisdictions in Florida.
- Lead and managing counsel for Fortune 100 global pharmaceutical and consumer products company in defense against product liability talc actions in multiple jurisdictions in Florida.
- Counsel for Fortune 500 global toy company in defense of recalled infant products resulting in product liability and wrongful death actions in coordinated cases across two jurisdictions.
- Counsel for national tool and equipment retailer in defense against product liability actions in state and federal court in Florida.
- Counsel for national manufacturer of commercial gate operators in defense against personal injury action in state court in Florida.
- Counsel for a global clutch assembly manufacturer in defense against product liability action in state court in Florida.
- First-chaired two federal jury trials.
Areas of Focus
Practices
Insights
News
Recognition
- The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation (2024)
- The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch, Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants (2021–2023)
- Florida Rising Stars, Super Lawyers Magazine (2019–2020)
- Special Projects Award, Palm Beach Legal Aid Society (2017)
- Most Effective Lawyers Award, Daily Business Review (2016)
Professional & Community Involvement
- Federal Bar Association, Palm Beach County Chapter
- President (2020–2021)
- President-Elect (2019–2020)
- Secretary (2018)
- Treasurer (2017–2018)
- National Delegate (2016–2017)
Speaking Engagements
- "Pro Bono Nuts and Bolts," The Florida Bar Federal Court Practice Committee (June 13, 2023)
- "Practical Tips for Counteracting Witness Coaching in the Pandemic and Beyond," 2021 DRI Asbestos Medicine Seminar (November 2021)
- "Don’t Stop Believin’ - A Journey Into Federal Practice," 2021 Bench Bar Conference, Palm Beach County Bar Association (April 9, 2021)
- "Litigating Civil Rights Cases Part Three: Due Process and State Law Claims in State or Federal Court," Carlton Fields; The Florida Bar Government Lawyers Section; Federal Bar Association local chapters in the Southern District of Florida (Broward County, Palm Beach County, and South Florida); Cuban-American Bar Association; Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers; Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association (February 3, 2021)
- "Litigating Civil Rights Cases Part Two: Claims Brought Under the Bill of Rights Against Municipal, County, and State Defendants – Including COVID-19 Issues," Carlton Fields; The Florida Bar Government Lawyers Section; Federal Bar Association local chapters in the Southern District of Florida (Broward County, Palm Beach County, and South Florida); Cuban-American Bar Association; Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers; Wilkie D. Ferguson Bar Association (December 9, 2020)
Credentials
Education
- University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (J.D., 2010)
- University of Miami (B.A., summa cum laude, 2007)
- Phi Beta Kappa
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
Clerkships
Background
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Dave Lee Brannon, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2012–2014)
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Linnea R. Johnson, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2011–2012)
- Law Clerk to the Honorable Paul C. Huck, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida (2010–2011)