Natalie Atkinson, Partner | Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC

Attorneys Natalie Atkinson | Partner

Natalie defends manufacturers against product liability claims in consolidated proceedings and individual cases in state and federal courts. Her practice focuses on medical device litigation, with an emphasis on motions practice and expert witness work. She participates in all work-up phases for medical experts, including expert development and preparation and defense of experts for deposition. She regularly deposes plaintiffs' experts and has extensive experience preparing Daubert challenges that have successfully limited or excluded their opinions at trial.

Natalie advises on appellate issues as a member of trial teams in pharmaceutical product liability cases. In this role, she has drafted successful Rule 50 motions and appellate briefs.

She is a member of the Southern District of West Virginia's CJA panel, a roster of private attorneys who receive appointments to represent persons accused of federal crimes.

Before joining the firm, Natalie was honored to serve as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Thomas E. Johnston of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (2012-2013, 2016-2017). Natalie received her J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law, where she served as an editor of the West Virginia Law Review and graduated Order of the Coif.

Representative Cases and Experience:
In re: Ethicon, Inc. Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 2327, Southern District of West Virginia: Member of deposition, motions, and expert teams.

Shears v. Johnson & Johnson, Northern District of West Virginia: Assisted the trial team in the successful defense of pelvic mesh device; drafted opposition brief on appeal to the Fourth Circuit.

Newhouse v. Johnson & Johnson, Southern District of West Virginia: Successfully defended claims arising out of alleged defects in hernia mesh device at trial and appellate levels.

Charleston Gazette-Mail v. West Virginia University Board of Governors: Defended a flagship state university in a lawsuit brought under the West Virginia Open Governmental Meetings Act.

Bar Admissions

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Contact:

P O Box 3824
Charleston, WV 25338
Direct Dial: 304-414-1835
Download Natalie's VCard

Education & Honors:

Brigham Young University, B.S., 2009

West Virginia University College of Law, 2012
Order of the Coif

CALI awards in Legal Reasoning, Research and Writing; Appellate Advocacy; Business Organizations; Estate Planning; Child Protection and the Law