Lawyer Bio : Joann A. Waters

Joann Waters brings a client’s perspective to the Case Management Facility due to her defense work for a Fortune 500 company before joining the CMF practice team as a liaison attorney to a major pharmaceutical client.

She started her legal career at Womble Carlyle as part of the products liability practice group, in which she gained substantial experience in defensive discovery strategy, document production and trial preparation. Joann used the CMF on a daily basis to assist clients in controlling the costs of discovery and developing standardized protocols. Given this background, Joann approaches her work at the CMF from a user’s perspective. This perspective allows her to better understand the needs of CMF users and clients.

Joann has a particular concentration in pharmaceutical defense. Relevant engagements include identifying and developing expert medical witnesses, and working with local counsel on issues relating to affirmative discovery in the "Phen-Fen" litigation. Joann’s current pharmaceutical practice has allowed her to develop an experience in federal reporting guidelines.

Her corporate advisory practice includes considerable experience in assisting clients with document retention policies and procedures, including policies governing electronic documents.

Joann is a member of Womble Carlyle’s Pro Bono Committee and has performed pro bono appellate work on behalf of the Guardian ad Litem program, which advocates for abused and neglected children.