Jesse Weisshaar

Jesse E. Weisshaar’s practice focuses on data governance and discovery. As part of Shook’s Data and Discovery Strategies group, she advises clients on best practices for the preservation, collection, processing and review of data as part of the discovery process.

In particular, Jesse advises on and has published articles and client alerts about the application and interpretation of the 2015 amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the intersection of U.S. discovery obligations with foreign data protection laws.

She also has expertise in preparing and negotiating protective orders and production protocols and opposing “discovery on discovery” efforts at every stage of discovery.

Jesse draws on her in-house experiences in managing legal hold processes and coordinating the collection, review and production of materials in federal multidistrict litigation, individual state and federal cases, and consolidated state proceedings across the country.

In her representation of pharmaceutical manufacturers, Jesse manages various pre-trial aspects of product liability claims, including preparing company and expert witnesses for depositions and trial, dispositive motion practice and general trial preparation and strategy.

Jesse’s considerable industry knowledge extends to pharma-funded take-back programs mandated by regulations in several municipalities across the United States and ongoing efforts to pass similar measures in other jurisdictions.

In this capacity, she assists clients with monitoring and compliance efforts and works with the stewardship organization formed to facilitate industry-wide cooperation on take-back-related initiatives.

Jesse also advises clients—in the pharmaceutical industry and beyond—about compliance with Medicare reporting requirements and best practices for avoiding double liability under Medicare Secondary Payer provisions.

Jesse rejoined Shook after serving as assistant senior counsel of litigation and compliance at Takeda Pharmaceuticals in the Chicago area. Before her in-house experience, Jesse spent several years as a Shook associate representing pharmaceutical manufacturers.

In addition to her primary practice, Jesse devotes time to pro bono work. She has represented indigent parties in guardianship matters; participated in activities promoting civics education for elementary and high-school students; prepared online materials designed to educate veterans about their rights and benefits; and assisted with a death penalty habeas appeal.

Education:

• J.D., magna cum laude, University of Missouri-Columbia, 2006
• B.A. and B.S., cum laude, Miami University, 2003

Bar Admissions:

• District of Columbia
• Illinois
• Maine
• U.S. District Court, District of Columbia
• Virginia

Clerkships:

• The Hon. Laura Denvir Stith, Supreme Court of Missouri