Tariq M. Naeem
Tariq Naeem co-chairs the Tucker Ellis Health & Life Sciences Group.
Tariq uses his background in the biological sciences to defend pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in all aspects of personal injury cases, from initial pleadings through jury trial. His experience involves directly working with manufacturing, regulatory, clinical, and pharmacovigilance employees to investigate and defend clients on such diverse issues as product recalls, design changes, labeling revisions, safety assessments, and FDA investigations. Tariq is also responsible for the complex science issues associated with defending clients, which includes working with company and expert witnesses on liability and causation issues. As national counsel, Tariq has appeared in federal and state courts throughout the United States – including trials in Ohio, Illinois, Nevada, and Florida.
In addition to his work for pharmaceutical and medical device companies, Tariq has represented insurance companies, banks, and other businesses in a variety of commercial disputes.
Outside of work, Tariq is an avid – albeit frustratingly average – golfer and loves introducing his kids to movies he watched as a kid.
- Education
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2000)
- Miami University (B.A., 1993)
- State Admissions
- Ohio, 2000
- California, 2014
- Federal Admissions
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
- United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio
- United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- Industries Represented
- Banks
- Chemical
- Hospitals
- Insurance Carriers
- Medical Devices
- Pharmaceutical & Medicine
- Religious Organizations
- Rental & Leasing Services
- Served as co-lead trial counsel for defendants in case involving motorcycle-commercial truck collision and alleging catastrophic brain injury and resulting dementia of 34-year-old plaintiff; obtained defense verdict following 5 weeks of trial after plaintiff’s counsel requested $60 million in compensatory damages during closing
- Served as lead trial counsel for defendants in case involving automobile-commercial truck collision alleging permanent disability of plaintiff; obtained defense-favorable verdict entitling clients to fees and costs after plaintiff’s counsel requested almost $1 million in compensatory damages during closing
- Served as co-lead trial counsel for defendants in transvaginal mesh product liability case; obtained a defense verdict on failure to warn after plaintiff’s counsel requested over $8.6 million in compensatory damages during closing
- Represents pharmaceutical company in nationwide litigation brought by thousands of state and local governments seeking costs for abatement of the opioid addiction crisis
- Represented multiple pharmaceutical companies in multidistrict litigations involving diabetes medications and proton-pump inhibitors
- Represented pharmaceutical company in multiple wrongful death trials involving recalled fentanyl pain patch
- Represented medical device company in product liability case alleging injury from surgical rongeur that fractured during back surgery
- Represented chemical company in breach of warranty case involving allegedly nonconforming component used in manufacture of cancer medication
- Represented multiple chemical companies in personal injury case alleging the development of leukemia from exposure to benzene-containing products
- Represented bank against borrowers for default on SBA loan and counterclaim for alleged fraud in loan origination
- Represented insurance company in trial of contribution action against other insurance companies relating to settlement of medical malpractice case
Speaking Engagements
- “Interaction of State and Federal Cannabis Laws,” Manos Inn of Court (December 2024)
- “Medical Devices and Product Liability Claims,” Lawline (November 2023)
- “Lessons Learned from Recent Developments in This Year’s Opioid Trials,” ACI Drug and Medical Device Litigation Conference, New York, New York (December 2021)
- “Medical Devices and Product Liability Claims,” Remote CLE Presentation (October 2021)
- “Controlling the Effects of Social Media on Products Liability Litigation: Practical Tips for Drug and Device Manufacturers,” ACI Drug and Medical Device Litigation Conference, New York, New York (December 2015)
- “Nuts and Bolts of Recalls: A Step-by-Step Guide to Recalling a Product,” Moderator, Pharmaceutical Medical Device and Biotech Litigation Regional Seminar, American Bar Association, New York, New York (October 2015)
- “Current Issues in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation,” ABA Section of Litigation, Austin, Texas (October 2014)
Publications
- “Reform of Federal Marijuana Law and Potential Impacts on State Medical Marijuana Programs,” Law.com (May 2024)
- “Preempting Bottled Water Microplastics Fraud Claims,” Law360 (March 2024)
- “Marijuana Rescheduling Under the Controlled Substances Act: Potential Impacts on Cannabis Businesses,” Cannabis Business Executive (January 2024)
- “Cannabis and Product Liability Claims Under Ohio Law,” Cannabis Business Executive (January 2024)
- “Chapter 2, Drug Approvals, Medical Device Approvals, and Clinical Trials and Registries,” FDA Basics for the Drug and Medical Device Lawyer, DRI Defense Library Book (2015)
- “Reliability and Admissibility of Forensic Toxicology Testing in Civil Cases,” IADC Drug, Device and Biotechnology Newsletter (December 2012)
Media
- “J&J, Ethicon Sink Failure-to-Warn Claim in Pelvic Mesh Trial,” Law360 (July 2022)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2025)
- LMG Life Sciences
- Life Sciences Star (Product Liability) (2017–2023)
- Benchmark Litigation
- National Practice Area Star (Product Liability and Recall)
- Who’s Who Legal
- Life Sciences – Product Liability
- Product Liability Defence
- Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars® (2009, 2011)
- Law360, 2023 Trials Editorial Advisory Board
- 8th District Judicial Conference, Life Member
- American Bar Association
- Current Issues in Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Biotech Litigation Workshop, Co-Chair (2016-2017)
- Case Western Reserve University School of Law Alumni Association
- Board Member (2008-2013)
- The Honorable William K. Thomas American Inn of Court
- Barrister (2010-2013)
- Associate (2002-2004, 2005-2008)
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Northeast Ohio Chapter
- President (2013-2015)
- Board Member (2009-2015)
