Orla G. Thompson

Orla is a seasoned litigator concentrating her practice on product liability, mass torts, and commercial litigation disputes. She works closely with clients to assess potential risks, develop comprehensive defense strategies, and minimize exposure to liability. Her approach to litigation is client-centric, focusing on the client’s needs not only during, but prior to and after litigation.

Orla has successfully represented corporate and individual clients across a broad spectrum of industries in various jurisdictions. She defends food manufacturers and suppliers in product liability cases, including class actions, and single- and other multi-plaintiff claims involving product withdrawals, recalls, and false advertisement. She also represents supply chain clients in consumer product claims involving, among other things, lithium-ion batteries, immersive devices, laptops, tablets, gaming devices, sporting equipment, scooters, and medical devices. Orla also defends corporations in commercial and contract dispute claims. In obtaining favorable outcomes for her clients, she has worked with a multitude of experts and consultants across many disciplines, including FDA regulatory specialists, mechanical and electrical engineers, metallurgists, fire investigators, meteorologists, OSHA experts, medical specialists, economists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and life care planners.

She has a notable record of achieving favorable results for her clients through dispositive motion practice, at mediations and settlement conferences, and on appeal.

Orla is deeply committed to diversity, community service, and pro bono efforts. She mentors students from diverse backgrounds, preparing them for college, law school, and legal careers. She sits on the Advisory Board for Legal Outreach, a nonprofit educational program serving low-income, urban youth from underserved neighborhoods in New York City. She also serves as the assistant corporate secretary and a board member of the Defense Association of New York (DANY), where she co-chairs the Products Liability and the Young and New Lawyers Committees, and is a member of the Judicial Screening Committee. Orla also served as the New York State Representative for the Defense Research Institute for the 2021-2024 term. She also maintains an active pro bono practice.

She has been recognized as a Super Lawyers New York Metro Rising Star and is a member of the National Black Lawyers Top 100 for New York.

Orla earned her bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Tufts University and her law degree from Boston University School of Law.