“I don’t just prepare to fight, I prepare to win. I believe if you want peace, you must be prepared to go to war.”
– Annesley H. DeGaris
“Top Attorneys in Alabama” 2014 | “Best Lawyers in America” 2013, 2015
“Best Lawyer, Lawyer of the Year Birmingham Alabama” 2013, 2016
Annesley H. DeGaris is the founding partner of the Birmingham, Alabama law firm DeGaris & Rogers, LLC. He is recognized nationally for mass tort litigation involving defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals. Mr. DeGaris also has an extensive practice in individual personal injury and wrongful death cases in a variety of circumstances, including motor vehicle collisions, tractor trailer collisions, and toxic exposures. He has litigated cases against major trucking companies, insurance companies, chemical manufacturers responsible for toxic spills, aircraft manufacturers, and major pharmaceutical companies.
MDL leadership roles:
Past: Mr. DeGaris has served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee as Co-Chair for the Science Committee and as a member of the Administrative Committee for In Re: Fosamax Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 1789. He served on the Science Committee for In Re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2197 and the Science Committee for In Re: Hydroxycut Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation, MDL 2087. He served on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for In Re: Aredia and Zometa Products Liability Litigation, MDL 1760.
Current: He currently serves on the Plaintiffs’ Lead Counsel Committee for In Re: Stryker Rejuvenate and ABGII Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2441 and was subsequently appointed to the Settlement Oversight Committee. He also was appointed to the State Liaison Committee for In Re: Blue Cross Blue Shield Antitrust Litigation, MDL 2406 and serves on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for In Re: Bair Hugger Forced Air Warming Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2666.
Publications and Speaking Engagements:
Mr. DeGaris has written extensively on cutting edge legal topics, including the role of judges in the settlement process, politics and its influence on the judicial system, and various dangerous pharmaceuticals and medical devices. His legal writings have been published nationally and internationally in diverse publications ranging from the University of Tasmania Law Review to West’s Federal Rules Decisions (F.R.D.), Voir Dire, the Cumberland Law Review, the Australian Dispute Resolution Journal, The Trial Lawyer, The Alabama Lawyer, The Alabama Association for Justice Journal and most recently in TRIAL magazine. In addition to his publications, he is also a frequent lecturer nationally on a variety of marketing and litigation topics, including defective pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Recent speaking engagements have focused on educating lawyers and paralegals on the fundamentals of multidistrict litigation.
EXPERIENCE
Founding Partner
DeGaris & Rogers, LLC – 2016-Present
Birmingham, Alabama 35203
The founding partner of this firm with a practice focused on personal injury, complex litigation including defective medical device and pharmaceutical drug litigation, and environmental matters.
Founding Partner
DeGaris Law Group, LLC – 2015-2016
Birmingham, Alabama
The founding partner of this firm with a practice focused on personal injury, complex litigation including defective medical device and pharmaceutical drug litigation, and environmental matters.
Partner
Cory, Watson, Crowder & DeGaris – 1995 – 2014
Birmingham, Alabama
A founding partner of this trial firm, with a practice focused in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, defective device and pharmaceutical drug litigation, aviation, and environmental matters.
Associate
Johnson & Cory – 1993-1995
Birmingham, Alabama
Trial practice concentrating in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, aviation, environmental and criminal matters.Staff Attorney
United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit – 1991-1993
Atlanta, Georgia
Researched and drafted memoranda discussing and recommending disposition of cases involving: criminal appeals, petitions for habeas corpus, sentencing guidelines, employment discrimination, Social Security claims and private civil matters.Judicial Law Clerk
United States District Court – 1988-1989
Huntsville, Alabama
Law Clerk to Hon. E. B. Haltom, Jr. Responsibilities included researching and writing orders, opinions, and memoranda involving all areas of federal civil law.Mediator
United States District Court – May 1998 to 2015
Birmingham, Alabama
United States District Court, Northern District of Alabama
Appointed to ADR Panel of Neutrals
ACADEMIC
Adjunct Professor
Cumberland School of Law – 2013, 2016
Birmingham, Alabama
