As a seasoned litigator and crisis management strategist, Jessie Zeigler has represented clients in some of the nation’s most high-profile cases over the last 25 years. From her defense of precedent-setting opioid cases, high-stakes wildfire litigation and class action defense across numerous industries, Jessie has returned successful results nearly 100% of the time in the cases she has handled.
Recognized by Chambers USA, Benchmark Litigation and others as a leader in the field, Jessie is widely regarded as one of the top product liability and environmental lawyers in the country. As chair of the Products Liability & Torts Practice at Bass, Berry & Sims, Jessie leads a cross-office team in representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to privately-owned businesses.
Jessie approaches every new case with an attention to detail, diligence and agility that enables her to quickly master the science behind the product as well as the product’s history, attributes and value to formulate effective strategies to meet even the most complex and aggressive legal challenges.
Jessie’s counsel has saved clients millions in losses across various industries – including pharmaceutical/life sciences, medical device, automotive, chemical, consumer products, food and beverage, healthcare, manufacturing, and pulp and paper – as they have faced claims related to crisis management, environmental, health and safety, products liability, healthcare liability, or business disputes. Jessie also represents clients in claims related to deceptive business practices under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Jessie recently served as local counsel in a precedent-setting opioid litigation and win at the Tennessee Supreme Court, defending an international pharmaceutical company in court rooms across Tennessee, Kentucky and Virginia in litigation that made national headlines. She also argued the first-ever Tennessee Supreme Court Zoom hearing and, along with a joint defense group, won a huge victory for her product manufacturer client, and product manufacturers generally, in a ruling that held that a product manufacturer cannot be held liable in Tennessee for failing to warn about the risks of another product manufacturer’s products. In addition, she successfully obtained summary judgment in nine consolidated cases on behalf of a tree company against allegations of negligence and nuisance in wildfire litigation in which the plaintiffs sought approximately $45 million in claims. She argued the appeal, and the appellate court upheld the summary judgments.
Represented Wolf Tree, Inc. in consolidated cases under negligence, trespass and nuisance claims related to a 2016 forest fire that destroyed several thousands of acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Representation of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer, in numerous cases in courts across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia
Represented Neles-Jamesbury and Metso Automation in significant precedent-setting litigation related to whether a product manufacturer has a duty to warn of the dangers of other manufacturers’ products that are foreseeably used together.
International Association of Defense Counsel — Board of Directors (2022-2025); Board of the Foundation (2019-2023); 2020 Annual Meeting, CLE Chair; Product Liability Committee, Chair (2017-2018), Vice Chair (2013-2017)
The Trial Network — Chair (2017), Executive Committee (2016-2018); Women’s Initiative Network, Chair (2020-present)
Governor’s Council for Judicial Appointments (2020-present)
Nashville Bar Association — Federal Court Committee, Co-Chair (2012, 2013)
Nashville Bar Foundation — Fellow (2016)
American Bar Association — Products Liability Committee; Women in Products Liability Subcommittee, Past Co-Chair; Food & Supplements Subcommittee, Past Co-Chair; Products, Mass Torts and Environmental Joint CLE Program, Co-Chair (2015-2018)
Defense Research Institute — Drug & Medical Device, Medical Liability and Health Care Law Committee; Product Liability Committee; Toxic Torts and Environmental Law
Federal Court Magistrate Judge Nominating Committee, selected by Chief Judge Kevin Sharp (2015)
American Health Law Association (AHLA)
Belmont Inns of Court (2022-2023)
Represented Wolf Tree, Inc. in consolidated cases under negligence, trespass and nuisance claims related to a 2016 forest fire that destroyed several thousands of acres of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee
Representation of Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals, a global pharmaceutical manufacturer, in numerous cases in courts across Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia
Represented Neles-Jamesbury and Metso Automation in significant precedent-setting litigation related to whether a product manufacturer has a duty to warn of the dangers of other manufacturers’ products that are foreseeably used together.
Representation of Security Signals, Inc. in the investigation and remediation of a site with multiple plumes of chlorinated-solvent contaminated groundwater, with multiple sources
Representation of HigherDOSE, a growth stage wellness product and services company, as outside general counsel. We advise the company on corporate entity structure; equity incentives; intellectual property protection; data privacy, including CCPA and GDPR compliance; FDA compliance; commercial contracts; waivers; product safety and advertising matters.
Represented a manufacturer in complete dismissal of a multiple plaintiff products liability class action lawsuit
Represented the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee in a lawsuit against the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia (MGAG) alleging unauthorized natural gas hedging charges imposed by MGAG. The case was resolved very favorably for the Town.
Representation of a pharmaceutical company in a patent infringement case related to the sale and marketing of a cancer treatment drug
Represented a large consumer products manufacturer in two class action claims alleging our client’s product emits a chemical in an amount higher than the manufacturer disclosed that resulted in personal injury
Representing a large industrial manufacturer in a large number of individual asbestos cases filed in Knoxville, Tennessee
Representing the Town of Smyrna, Tennessee against the Municipal Gas Authority of Georgia (MGAG) due to MGAG’s imposition of hedging charges that are costing the Town millions each year
Chambers USA — Environment (2020-2022), Recognized Practitioner (2016-2019)
Benchmark Litigation — Local Litigation Star: Tennessee (2019-2023)
Best Lawyers® — Nashville Litigation: Environmental “Lawyer of the Year” (2021)
The Best Lawyers in America© — Environmental Law; Litigation: Environmental; Natural Resources Law (2007-2023)
Expert Guides: Women in Business Law — Product Liability Category (2021-2022)
Nashville Business Journal — “Women of Influence, Trailblazer Category” (2015)
Nashville Bar Association — President’s Award (2014)
Mid-South Super Lawyers (2009-2022)
Top 50 Women Mid-South Super Lawyers (2011-2012, 2016, 2020-2021)
Top 50 Nashville Super Lawyers (2021)
Top 100 Tennessee Super Lawyers (2020-2021)
Phi Beta Kappa