Lawyer Bio : Gwenda L. Laws
Gwenda L. Laws
Raleigh
Gwenda focuses her practice on the defense of product liability litigation, particularly on behalf of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. As part of the team acting as R.J. Reynolds' national counsel, she has significant experience in every aspect of the litigation process, including developing expert witnesses, handling high-volume document management and coordinating defense efforts among the tobacco industry's national and local counsel. Gwenda has also handled product liability litigation for members of the automobile industry including Ford, DaimlerChrysler, Nissan and Honda. She has a wealth of courtroom experience, trying cases to conclusion before a jury as well as numerous bench trials. In addition, she has successfully represented clients in the alternative dispute resolution forum.
Contact
- (919) 755-2185
- (919) 755-6079
Professional Activities
Bar Associations: North Carolina Bar Association; Wake County Bar Association; and American Bar Association, Litigation Section. Member, Defense Research Institute, Inc.; North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys.
Admitted to the bar, 1991, North Carolina. Admitted to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Middle and Western Districts of North Carolina.
Civic Activities
Junior League of Raleigh
Volunteer Guardian ad Litem for abused and neglected children
Member, North Carolina Museum of Art
Member, North Carolina Museum of History
Gwenda also does pro bono work for residents of The Healing Place, a substance abuse group home in Raleigh, N.C.
Education
B.A, Political Science, 1987, Duke University; J.D., 1991, University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill School of Law; Dean's List; Holderness Moot Court Invitational Team; American Jurisprudence Award, Legal Research & Writing.
Prior Legal Experience
Partner, Yates, McLamb & Weyher, Raleigh, NC, 2000; Associate, Yates, McLamb & Weyher, Raleigh, NC, 1995-1999; Associate, Battle Winslow Scott & Wiley, Rocky Mount, NC, 1991-1995; Intern, Judge Gerald Arnold, North Carolina Court of Appeals, 1990.
Areas of Proficiency
- Product Liability Litigation