An experienced litigator and former in-house counsel, Janna is a trusted advisor to companies and legal departments, particularly in times of crisis, but also in managing and minimizing risk.
In addition to spending nearly 20 years in Big Law, Janna most recently was general counsel for an investment, development, and property management firm. In that role, she counseled a portfolio of affiliated companies on best practices and general corporate, administrative, and litigation matters. Her responsibilities included advising on general business practices; contract preparation and negotiation; and litigation supervision and management.
Representative Experience
Any result the lawyer or law firm may have achieved on behalf of clients in other matters does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.
- Managed product liability litigation in state court, federal court, and multidistrict litigation (MDL) for a medical device manufacturer of surgical mesh. Involved all aspects of litigation, including overseeing multi-firm and multi-office defense, coordinating with defense counsel for other manufacturers, organizing discovery in hundreds of cases, identifying and consulting with expert witnesses, taking and defending expert and fact depositions, and drafting and arguing motions.
- Led a multi-office team in high-profile defense of city’s procurement of airport concessions contracts valued at approximately $3 billion. Defeated motion for injunctive relief in front of media-filled courtroom. Successfully defended procurement in related administrative hearings and petitions for certiorari to the state court.
- Represented developer in highly contested action involving 22,000 acres of land valued at over $100 million. Won complete verdict. Provided ongoing legal advice over four-year period of litigation on matters such as agricultural finance, construction and development, water management, and environmental permitting.
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all RICO, fraud-based, and breach of contract claims brought against renewable energy company and individual officers.
- Achieved complete reversal of U.S. Department of Labor’s disallowance of nearly $5 million in grant funds to government entity. Reconstructed 14 years of grant records to validate expenditure of federal and state funds.
- Defended school system against retaliation claim brought by former employee in highly publicized matter involving extensive discovery and motion practice. After a lengthy trial, the jury returned a complete defense verdict.
- Represented county attorney in U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and federal court actions brought against him and the county under Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1983, and the Americans with Disability Act Amendments Act.
- Performed numerous internal corporate investigations for various public and private clients and advised board members on potential litigation, compliance, and ethics issues.
- Obtained dismissal of proposed class action lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against public officials acting under Section 287(g), now codified under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Dismissal affirmed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
- Won motion to dismiss all claims brought against corporation operating a chain of gasoline stations and convenience stores across the Southeast. Established important precedent on enforceability of a mandatory forum selection clause in corporation’s lease and gasoline sales agreements.
- Counseled religious institution on immediate response to allegations of sexual misconduct made against a member of the clergy. Advised board members on highly contested separation of clergy, support of alleged victim, and amendment of by-laws.
Honors & Awards
- Recognized in Georgia Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2020
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Regional Litigation Department of the Year – Georgia,” 2018
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Department of the Year – Georgia,” 2018
- Team Member, The Daily Report’s " Products Liability & Mass Torts Litigation Department of the Year – Georgia," 2015-2017
- Recognized in Georgia Super Lawyers – Rising Stars (Thomson Reuters), 2013
- Named in Georgia Trend Magazine’s Legal Elite, 2013
Thought Leadership
- Speaker, “Beyond The Bleeding Edge: Emerging Litigation Threats Facing the Medical Device Industry and Strategies and Tactics for Changing the Paradigm,” Berkley Life Sciences Webinar, 2018
- Speaker, “Current Status and Future Potential for the Use of Mesh and Slings in Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery,” American Urogynecologic Society Meeting, 2016
- Speaker, “Trends in Life Science Litigation,” Producer Council Meeting, 2015
- Speaker, “E-Discovery: A Practical Approach,” Atlanta Bar Association CLE Program, 2012
- Co-Author, "The Friendship of the People: Citizen Participation in Environmental Enforcement," 73 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 269, 2005
- Author, "A Higher Authority: The Viability of Third Party Tort Actions Against a Religious Institution Grounded on Sexual Misconduct by a Member of the Clergy," 30 Fla. St. U. L. Rev. 957, 2003
- Author, "Walking Into the Sea of Legal Fiction: An Examination of the European Court of Human Rights, Pretty v. United Kingdom and the Universal Right to Die,” 13 Transnat'l L & Pol'y 183, 2003
Professional Engagement
- Instructor, Moot Court Program for Inner City Youth, 2012-2013 and 2017-2020
