Nancy Shane Rappaport

Partner

Chair, Philadelphia Litigation Practice

Emailnancy.rappaport@us.dlapiper.com

About

Nancy Rappaport is a partner in the Philadelphia and Wilmington offices and serves as Chair of the Philadelphia Litigation Practice. Nancy is a national trial lawyer involved in a variety of matters focusing on product liability litigation, including the defense of multinational manufacturers in catastrophic injury cases arising from the use of such products as consumer and commercial outdoor power equipment, construction equipment, farming equipment, military aircraft and automobiles, heavy commercial machinery, and building construction materials, among others. She acts as national counsel for various outdoor power equipment manufacturers and military defense contractors, managing all stages of litigation, and acting as lead trial and appellate counsel in state and federal courts throughout the country. Nancy's practice also includes national, regional and local representation of various US Government defense contractors, among other manufacturers, in toxic tort litigation, as well as representation of national and multinational corporations in complex commercial disputes and class actions in Delaware state and federal courts.

Manufacturers also seek Nancy's guidance in the preparation of manuals, warranties, labels and marketing materials for new products, including heavy commercial machinery, outdoor power equipment, kitchen appliances, glassware and baby products. Her practice also includes counselling clients and speaking at industry meetings regarding litigation prevention, discovery and trial strategies.

Nancy has been an instructor at firm-wide litigation associates training events on discovery and trial techniques since 2008 and chaired the Philadelphia office's summer associate program from 2002 – 2006. She also lectures regularly at Villanova School of Law on litigation, negotiation, mentoring, networking and interviewing skills.

Legal 500 United States has repeatedly recognized Nancy, noting that she "is an excellent attorney, trial lawyer and brief writer," "a fierce advocate," and "the best outside counsel you could find."

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations

Bar admissionsDelawarePennsylvania

CourtsUnited States District Court for the Eastern District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Middle District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the Western District of PennsylvaniaUnited States District Court for the District of DelawareUnited States District Court for the District of ColoradoUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Fourth CircuitUnited States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

EXPERIENCE

Nancy serves as national counsel to various multinational companies in litigation arising in the United States, handling cases from inception through trial and appeal in matters involving catastrophic and fatal injuries arising from the use of consumer and commercial products, as well as commercial disputes. Her experience includes the following:

Obtained dismissal on summary judgment on behalf of global outdoor power equipment manufacturer in wrongful death case following jury selection in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (2025)
Obtained $3 million verdict on behalf of hotel franchisor in indemnification action in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas (2025)
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of utility tractor manufacturer in catastrophic injury case in Pennsylvania state court
Obtained dismissal for forum non conveniens on behalf of leading provider of innovative architectural products in wrongful death and products liability mass action brought by 247 plaintiffs and their estates in Philadelphia state court (successfully removed to federal court) seeking damages arising out of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire in London. KRISTEN BEHRENS et al. v. ARCONIC INC., et al., United States District Court for the District of Pennsylvania, C.A. 2:19-cv-02664, Baylson, J. (September 16, 2020) (granting dismissal), aff'd United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, No. 20-3606 (July 8, 2022)
Tried to defense verdict, and successfully defended through appeal, catastrophic injury case for world's largest farm machine manufacturer in Michigan state court
Tried to defense verdict catastrophic injury case for global consumer, commercial, agricultural and construction equipment manufacturer in Delaware state court
Tried to defense verdict and successfully defended through appeal catastrophic injury cases for global manufacturers of consumer and commercial mowing equipment in state and federal courts throughout the country
Representation as national trial counsel for largest manufacturers of consumer and commercial mowing, cutting and trimming equipment, in catastrophic injury cases, including all aspects of litigation, trial and appeal
Representation as national trial counsel for global defense and technology company, including all aspects of litigation and trial in toxic tort matters
Representation as national trial counsel for military vehicle manufacturer, including all aspects of litigation and trial, in toxic tort matters
Successfully briefed and argued manufacturers' dismissal on summary judgment in catastrophic injury cases before various federal trial and appellate courts throughout the country, including: the Eastern District of Pennsylvania; the District of Utah, the District of Maryland, the Western District of Oklahoma, the District of Delaware and multiple Pennsylvania Commonwealth Courts in Pennsylvania
Lead counsel on behalf of one of the largest chemical producers in the world in personal injury case alleging malignant mesothelioma from asbestos. Favorable settlement after argument on motions in limine, prior to jury selection
Successful resolution for nominal settlement on behalf of multinational technology company specializing in glass and ceramics following summary judgment argument in product liability case involving claims of catastrophic injury
Successfully defended various clients in product liability and commercial matters at arbitrations in Pennsylvania and Delaware
Obtained dismissals on behalf of global defense and technology company and on behalf of military vehicle manufacturer in toxic tort matters throughout the country
Successful resolution at all stages of litigation in over 100 cases involving allegations of catastrophic and fatal injuries related to riding mowers throughout the country
Successful resolution for nominal settlement at trial (pre-verdict) in Pennsylvania state court in case alleging catastrophic facial injuries sustained as a result of coming into contact with the blade of a professional chainsaw
Prepared manuals, warranties and on-product labeling for manufacturers of various consumer and commercial products including kitchen and household appliances; baby products; outdoor power equipment and construction equipment
Provided counsel on preparation of marketing materials for safe use of outdoor power equipment on behalf of several outdoor power equipment manufacturers

Awards

Education

J.D., Villanova University School of Law, 1995
Villanova Law Review

B.A., Political Science, University of Delaware, 1992
cum laude

Publications

Co-Author, "Chapter 8: Recent Developments in Asbestos, Talc, Silica, Tobacco, and E-Cigarette/Vaping Litigation the U.S. and Canada," Practising Law Institute's treatise on Product Liability Litigation – Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, Second Edition, 2021

Seminars