Lew Garrison is one of the firm’s founders and primarily practices in the area of mass torts and pharmaceutical product liability. He also represents clients in other complex civil litigation. Lew decided to become an attorney because the profession was always intriguing to him. Even at a young age, he would go visit an attorney in his home town and ask questions about the law. During his first year of college, Lew would often go to the law school to study.
To him, the legal profession is an honorable calling. Lew believes that attorneys are called upon to represent their clients, but not to the point of pursuing a claim that is without merit.
He has always been drawn to the underdog, which was part of the reason that he was drawn to plaintiff representation. Lew enjoys this side of the legal system because he believes representing a plaintiff levels the playing field—so that one person can stand toe to toe with the largest corporations.
He is a member of the Alabama State Bar, as well as the State Bar of Georgia. Lew is also a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, the Alabama Trial Lawyers’ Association, and the Birmingham Bar Association, where he has served on the grievance, public relations, and special assignments committees. He is a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars. Lew was also recently named to the Plaintiff Leadership team for the 3M Combat Arms Earplug Products liability litigation in the United States District Court.
“Justice means fair treatment under the law. Every person or company deserves to be treated fairly, no matter who you are, or what your stature in life may be.”
Admitted
- Alabama, 1983
- Georgia, 1984
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Alabama, 1986
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit, 1997
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Alabama, 1998
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Georgia, 1999
- U.S. Supreme Court, 2000
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit, 2005
- U.S District Court, Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Arkansas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Alabama, 2010
Education
- Cumberland School of Law of Samford University (J.D., 1983)
- Associate Justice, Cumberland School of Law Honor Court, 1982 1983
- University of Alabama (B.S., 1977)
Professional memberships and affiliations
- Birmingham Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Alabama State Bar
- State Bar of Georgia
- American Association for Justice
Reported cases
- In re Diet Drugs Products Liability Litigation, 369 F.3d 293 (3rd Cir. 2004)
- In re MasterCard Intern. Inc., 313 F.3d 257 (5th Cir. 2002)
- In re America Online, Inc., 168 F.Supp.2d 1359 (S.D. Fla. 2001)
- Ex parte McNaughton, 728 So.2d 592 (Ala. 1998)
- Means v. Independent Life and Acc. Ins. Co., 963 F.Supp. 1131 (M.D. Ala. 1997)
- National Fire Ins. Co. v. Housing Development Co., 827 F.2d 1475 (11th Cir. 1987)
Recent publications and presentations
- The History of Online Gambling … Will They Ever Learn? – HarrisMartin’s MDL Conference: Fantasy Sports, Volkswagen, Porsche, and Pharmaceutical Litigation Agenda – Cape Coral, FL