Hildy Sastre

Hildy Sastre is a nationally recognized trial lawyer who has tried high-stakes cases for product manufacturers throughout the United States. She has obtained numerous defense verdicts in cases where tens to hundreds of millions of dollars were at stake.

She is often called upon to act as trial counsel in bellwether cases and cases of first impression. She also has extensive experience defending Fortune 100 corporations in national multidistrict litigation, consolidated proceedings and mass tort claims.

In addition to her trial work for drug and medical device companies, Hildy has also tried cases on behalf of cigarette manufacturers as well as commercial and intellectual property cases.

Hildy’s recent work includes acting as national counsel for Boston Scientific Corp., defending claims involving pelvic mesh products used to treat stress urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse.

She manages tens of thousands of lawsuits that have been filed against mesh medical device manufacturers in both state and federal courts.

Among the numerous defense verdicts she has obtained is a nine-week trial in which the plaintiff sought $28 million plus punitive damages. The trial was selected as the top defense verdict in the United States in 2016 by Courtroom View Network.

Clients, judges, co-counsel and colleagues have praised Hildy’s skills in both the development and execution of litigation strategy. One retired judge has noted that “Hildy is always mindful of her corporate clients’ business interests in skillfully navigating the serious allegations of plaintiffs claiming harm from her clients’ products.”

In the courtroom, Hildy is known for being engaging and relatable; she “bonds very well with juries and is very adept at handling difficult witnesses on cross,” according to a client. “She has that unique ability—one that is simply not teachable—to relate to all people from all walks of life whether they are judges, juries, other counsel or people encountered in hotels or courts,” says an attorney who has represented co-defendants at trial with Hildy.

Hildy’s ability to connect meaningfully with her peers and juries includes more junior attorneys as well. She regularly mentors attorneys newer to the profession during cases and at organized mentoring events; as a member of the Defense Research Institute, Hildy served terms as the chair of the Women’s Mentoring Committee and the Young Lawyers Diversity Committee.

A partner at another firm says she observed that while representing a co-defendant at trial, Hildy “never seemed too busy—even though she was—to explain something, provide input and guide with her combination of firm hand and patience.”

Education:

• J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 1994
• B.A., Florida State University, 1991

Bar Admissions:

• Florida
• District of Columbia
• U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit

Memberships:

• Defense Research Institute
  • Drug and Medical Device Steering Committee Member
  • Women’s Mentoring Committee, Former Chair
  • Young Lawyers Diversity Committee, Former Chair
• International Association of Defense Counsel
  • State Committee, Chair
• Florida Defense Lawyers Association
• American Bar Association, Section of Litigation
• Dade County Bar Association

Community Involvement:

• Southern Scholarship Foundation Board of Directors