Lisa J. Savitt is counsel in the firm's Torts Practice and is a member of the International Litigation Team. She has experience representing foreign and domestic companies in matters involving complex legal, regulatory and technical issues in state and federal courts. Much of her work involves issues relating to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act, application of various treaties, jurisdictional challenges and the doctrine of forum non conveniens. Her extensive industry experience includes representing clients in the aviation, insurance, and manufacturing sectors. Ms. Savitt's work has included coordinating with counsel globally on matters involving litigation in multiple jurisdictions and application of law from both civil and common law jurisdictions.

Her country experience includes Belize, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, England, Ethiopia, France, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Peru, Poland, Taiwan, and the Turks and Caicos.

Ms. Savitt is a frequent speaker and writer on international litigation issues. She is currently Liaison Officer of the American Bar Association Section of International Law, and a member of the Section's Council, Executive Committee, and Administration Committee. She was Division Chair of the Industries Division and also served as Co-Chair of the Section of International Law 2007 Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C. Ms. Savitt is also a member of the ABA Tort Insurance Practice Section. She is a founding member and former President of the International Aviation Womens Association. She was also a member of the American Bar Association International Legal Exchange program to London and Paris which focused on international dispute resolution.

In 1983, Ms. Savitt clerked for Magistrate Shira Scheindlin of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York. She received her JD from New York Law School in 1981 and her BA in East Asian Studies from George Washington University in 1978.

Representative Experience

• Represented airport authority in claims arising out of collapse of airport terminal at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris; also represented airport authority and airline in wrongful death litigation in the United States arising from collapse resulting in successful settlement of claims asserted on behalf of United States and Lebanese residents
• Representing aircraft ground support manufacturer in product liability cases in multiple jurisdictions in the United States
• Defending French bearing manufacturer and Italian distributor in products liability action in Illinois arising out of helicopter crash
• Counseled French engine manufacturer regarding possible claim by Mexican distributor of engine and claims by victims of airplane crash in Mexico
• Assisted in representation of manufacturer of autopilot arising out of crash of airplane in Newark, New Jersey resulting in four deaths, personal injuries and property damage; after years of litigation, participated in eight-week trial against manufacturer and United States government by estates of pilot and passengers and owner of business and property destroyed in crash resulting in complete defense verdict
• Successfully converted $24 million foreign judgment of shipping company against Yugoslavian bank into U.S. judgment and represented shipping company in enforcement of judgment including dealing with OFAC provisions and attempts by Yugoslavian bank to transfer assets from the United States in U.S. Bankruptcy Court ancillary proceeding
• Defended UK bearing manufacturer in complex product liability action in federal court in Texas arising out of helicopter crash in Gulf of Mexico resulting in three deaths; after several years of litigation including depositions in UK and France, represented manufacturer in mediation resulting in manufacturer paying nominal settlement
• Successfully represented companies, including major health care provider, in advice and litigation for, inter alia, breach of contract and breach of warranty claims arising out of licensing agreements with software vendors; one case resulted in often cited opinion on breach of warranty issues – see Caudill Seed & Warehouse Co. v. Prophet 21, Inc., 123 F.Supp.2d 826 (E.D. Pa. 2000)
• Represented Belgian company in contract dispute with Elvis Presley Enterprises
• Successfully assisted U.S. aviation company in obtaining clearances from Transportation Security Administration and Department of Justice for foreign pilots – at stake was a contract for over $10 million
• Assisted in defense of foreign car manufacturers in trademark litigation in multiple U.S. jurisdictions including issues of applicability of attorney-client privilege for foreign in-house lawyers and patent agents, service of process in France, Germany, Luxembourg, and Monaco
• Successfully represented Alitalia in trademark infringement litigation in Eastern District of Virginia, including issues involving domain name use and alleged violation of Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act
• Assisted with successful representation of Canadian Cattlemen's Association in anti-dumping ITC proceeding
• Defended Indian company for violations alleged by U.S. Customs Service including use of forced child labor
• Represented Deutsche Aerospace in crash of JPATS prototype aircraft during test flight in Germany
• Represented foreign airlines in cases arising out of major accidents including Avianca crash in Long Island, N.Y., Aeroperu crash in Peru, LOT Polish Airlines crash in Warsaw, China Airlines crash in Hualien and Indian Airlines crash in Ahmedabad
• Represented manufacturer of navigation system in litigation arising out of Korean Airlines 007 crash
• Represented French manufacturer of helicopters in all cases east of the Mississippi and Canada including crash of Super Puma in Brunei which resulted in claims in France, Brunei and the U.S.

Professional Activities and Memberships

• American Bar Association, Section of International Law, Liaison Officer; Member of Executive Committee, Administration Committee, and Council
• American Bar Association, Tort Insurance Practice Section
• American Bar Association – Section of Litigation
• DC Women's Bar Association
• Aviation Insurance Association, Director, Attorneys Division, 1999-2001
• International Aviation Womens Association, Founder; President 1993-1995
• Aeroclub of Washington, D.C.
• International Aviation Club

Special Honors

• Participated in delegation of American Bar Association International Legal (ILEX) Briefing Trip on Rule of Law and Economic Development to Japan and People's Republic of China (2008)
• Member of 30 person delegation of American Bar Association International Legal Exchange Program (ILEX) on international commercial dispute resolution to London and Paris. Delegation included Chair of ABA Section of International Law, ABA President, Supreme Court Justice Stephen G. Breyer (2005)
• Selected to be panelist at Texas International Law Journal Symposium on International Litigation with renowned lawyers Lee Kreindler, pioneer in aviation disaster law, and Carl Vogt, former Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (2002)
• Member of seven-person familiarization trip to Taiwan as guest of Taiwanese government (1992)