Law360 Names Sarah Johnston and Clinton Yu as ‘Rising Stars’ on Annual List

Barnes & Thornburg is pleased to announce that Law360 has named Sarah Johnston as a Product Liability Rising Star and Clinton K. Yu as an International Trade Rising Star in its 2019 rankings. Law360 editors selected Johnston, who practices in Los Angeles, and Yu, who practices in the Washington, D.C., office, after a thorough review of nominated attorneys under 40 years of age whose legal accomplishments surpass their age.

Johnston earned her spot on the list for her defense of major pharmaceutical, medical device, and consumer product manufacturers in high-profile national product liability litigations, in which she defends her clients against allegations related to product warnings, design and manufacturing defects, marketing and distribution practices, clinical trials, and FDA regulatory compliance, among others. Notably, in May 2018, she served as first chair trial counsel and obtained a unanimous defense verdict for a national pharmacy chain in the first asbestos talc trial against a retailer.

“Early in her career, Sarah made a devoted effort to develop a true depth of knowledge in product liability litigation, which has set her apart and turned her into the standout litigator that she is today,” said Randy Brown, chair of the firm's Litigation Department. “In addition to her impressive trial experience, Sarah is a dedicated leader and mentor within the firm and has a true commitment to both her clients and colleagues. This recognition could not be more well-deserved.”

Johnston is a practice group leader in the firm’s nationally-recognized Product Liability and Mass Tort practice, where she represents Fortune 50 manufacturers in multidistrict litigation and single-plaintiff cases across a wide range of pharmaceutical, consumer product, and toxic tort matters.

Yu earned his spot among the Rising Stars for his impressive and nationally recognized work on U.S. export controls, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Section 301 tariffs. “Clinton encompasses the dexterity of our International Trade Practice Group,” said David Spooner, the group’s co-chair. “He has played an important role in several high-profile trade matters, handling each with the prowess of a seasoned professional.”

Yu focuses his practice on helping clients navigate the regulatory landscape of U.S. international trade laws. Notably, he assisted the largest U.S. producer of aluminum and a national product manufacturing association in successfully obtaining relief from the Third Tranche of Section 301 tariffs. He also helped obtain a win before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on behalf of the U.S. Curtain Wall Coalition, successfully obtained CFIUS clearance in the acquisition of a U.S. manufacturer in the medical and defense industries, and is currently a member of the team assisting the Special Compliance Coordinator appointed by the U.S. Department of Commerce to monitor, assess and report on the U.S. export control compliance of Zhongxing Telecommunications Equipment Corporation, and ZTE Kangxun Telecommunications Ltd. of Hi-New Shenzhen, China (collectively, ZTE).

Beyond his legal work, Yu is a member of the Customs and International Trade Bar Association, Asian Pacific American Bar Association of D.C., Washington International Trade Association, and Young Trade Professionals.

With more than 600 attorneys and other legal professionals, Barnes & Thornburg is one of the largest law firms in the country. The firm serves clients worldwide from offices in Atlanta, California, Chicago, Delaware, Indiana, Michigan, Minneapolis, Ohio, Texas and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit us online at www.btlaw.com or on Twitter @BTLawNews.