Source: https://www.dentons.com/en/tami-azorsky
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 00:35:32+00:00

Document:
Nationally recognized for exceptional client service, Tami has earned a reputation for creative and highly-effective litigation strategies in complex environmental exposure and contamination cases. Her clients have included large multinational defense, chemical, energy, and construction industry clients, among others. Her practice spans the areas of occupational and environmental exposure, environmental litigation, False Claims Act litigation, healthcare fraud litigation, and challenges to federal agency actions and regulations. She addresses issues involving constitutional, statutory, and regulatory disputes in federal and state courts, through arbitration, and before administrative agencies.
As a Washington, DC-based litigator working in highly regulated industries, Tami has developed the relationships and skills to satisfy government regulators in ways that avoid litigation. She is highly experienced in navigating the complex federal regulatory schemes of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Defense and Energy Departments, the Department of Health and Human Services, federal procurement regulatory requirements and numerous others. Because she has decades of experience addressing issues with inherent public and media sensitivities, she is highly experienced in coordinating responses on behalf of her clients to calm the concerns of regulators, courts, stockholders, and other constituencies.
Ms. Azorsky serves as chair of the firm's US Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. She spearheaded the development and implementation of the firm's proprietary project management and budgeting software, designed to improve budget estimates, matter management, and efficient delivery of client service.
Ms. Azorsky is committed to diversity in the profession. She was the co-founder of the McKenna Long & Aldridge mentoring program for law students through the Georgetown University Women of Color Collective and a long term board member of the Hispanic National Bar Foundation.
Phillips, et al. v. The Leland Stanford University d/b/a Stanford University, et al.: Successfully defended Parsons Government Services, Inc. against a putative class action alleging that defendants conspired with each other and the US Army to disperse cadmium and other substances on individuals residing in a housing complex in St. Louis from 1953 to the 1960s as part of aerial dispersion testing. The plaintiffs had sued our client, Stanford University and the US government, propelled by a graduate dissertation claiming that the studies had their origins in the Manhattan Project and were intended as human radiation experiments. After almost three years of litigation, our team obtained the voluntary dismissal of the claims of both the lead plaintiffs and the members of the putative class.
Adkins, et al. v. Chevron Corp., et al. (E.D. Tenn.): Defense of owner of a facility that makes fuel for the nuclear navy in a putative class action alleging release of radioactive and hazardous materials to air and water. Court granted early dispositive motions for defendants based on Price Anderson Act preemption and federal pleading standards.
Shutes, et al. v. Platte Chemical Co., et al., and three related cases (Wash. Cty. Ms. Super. Ct.): Defense of owner of a pesticide formulation facility in Greenville, Mississippi, in tort cases involving 63 plaintiffs alleging releases from the facility over 30 years caused personal injury and property damage. Case settled on favorable terms that created protection against any future suits.
Euchee Marina and Campground, et al. v. Union Carbide Corporation, et al. (E.D. Tenn): Defense of former DOE nuclear weapons contractor in a surface water contamination case alleging that presence of radioactive material, mercury, PCBs, and other contaminants devalued properties and businesses. Negotiated favorable settlement terms for defendants, including payment of the settlement and all defense fees by DOE.
Robinson v. Union Carbide Corporation, 805 F.Supp. 514 (E.D. Tenn.): Defense of former DOE nuclear weapons contractor in mercury poisoning case. Obtained summary judgment for the defendant and negotiated DOE payment of all defense costs.
Albright & Wilson Americas, Inc., et al. v. N.L. Industries, Inc., et al. (S.D. Ohio): Defense of former DOE nuclear weapons contractor and its parent corporation in property damage suit arising out of uranium contamination in groundwater. Negotiated favorable resolution with no payment or affirmative action required of the defendant and DOE reimbursement of all defense fees and costs.
Cordova v. Hughes Aircraft Co. et al. (Pima Cty. Super. Ct.); Yslava et al. v. Hughes Aircraft Co. v. Tucson Airport Authority et al. (D. Ariz.); Lanier v. Hughes Aircraft Co. v. Tucson Airport Authority et al. (D. Ariz.): Defended former operator of site leased by the United States during World War II and provided to the contractor for performance of aircraft modifications. The cases included personal injury, property damage, and medical monitoring allegations. In Cordova, the court denied class certification for personal injury and medical monitoring claims. The Court also denied class certification for property damage claims after an evidentiary hearing in which the defense used a local real estate appraiser to counter an expert on regression analysis. A favorable settlement was later reached. In Yslava and Lanier, defendants obtained summary judgment on the issue of proximate cause leading to successful settlement of the personal injury claims and the certified class for medical monitoring.
Roese v. Battelle Memorial Institute, et al., 1991 WL 10923 (Ohio App.): Defense of company in wrongful termination and personal injury action alleging exposure to thorium and other radioactive materials. Summary judgment for defendant based on presentation of undisputed scientific data demonstrating self-ingestion was affirmed on appeal.
Griego, et al. v. Bechtel National, Inc., et al. (D. Nev.): Defense of five companies involved in the drilling of tunnels at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the nation’s proposed spent nuclear fuel repository, in a putative class action alleging exposure to silica, diesel emissions, and other chemicals in the drilling of the tunnels. After defendants successfully removed the case to federal court and defeated class certification, the plaintiffs decided not to pursue their claims in litigation. DOE paid all defense fees.
United States v. Hercules, Inc. and Rockwell Automation, Inc. (W.D. Tex.): Defense of cost recovery action seeking portion of cost of cleanup of McGregor Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant. Negotiated favorable percentage of cleanup costs paid by Hercules and Rockwell Automation.
CBS v. United States (D.D.C.): Counsel for CBS in cost recovery action against the United States. Obtained favorable percentage of clean-up costs for remediating uranium contamination in soil and groundwater.
United States v. Hercules (N.D. W.Va.): Defense of cost recovery action seeking portion of cost of clean-up of the Allegheny Ballistics Laboratory. Negotiated favorable percentage of clean-up costs to be paid by Hercules.
Hercules v. United States (D.D.C.): Counsel for Hercules in cost recovery action against the United States. Obtained favorable percentage of clean-up costs for soil and groundwater remediation.
BWX Technologies, Inc. v. United States (D.D.C.): Counsel for BWX Technologies, Inc. in contribution action against the United States. Obtained favorable percentage of decontamination and decommissioning costs at privately owned facility used to manufacture nuclear fuel for the Department of Energy.
Texas Instruments, Inc. v. United States (D. Mass.): Counsel for Texas Instruments in contribution action against the United States. Obtained favorable percentage of decontamination and decommissioning costs at privately owned facility used to manufacture nuclear fuel for the Department of Energy.
City of Alexandria, Virginia Sanitation Authority v. Hooff-Fagelson Tract, LLC (City of Alex. Cir. Ct.): Counsel for landowner in the valuation phase of condemnation action. The City had seized the property under its right of eminent domain and valued the land at less than $20 million due to the presence of environmental contamination. A few weeks prior to trial, based on expert testimony developed and presented, the City agreed to a value of $36 million for the land.
State of New Mexico v. General Electric Co., et al., 467 F.3d 1223 (10th Cir. 2006): Defense of AEC contractor at the South Albuquerque Works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cases sought damages for harm to natural resources caused by releases of solvents and other contaminants under CERCLA and state tort law. Obtained summary judgment for defendants which was affirmed by the Tenth Circuit using a unique blend of arguments under federal statutes, state tort law, the federal and state constitutions, and the Rio Grande compact.
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, et al. v. Viacom, Inc., et al., Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division - Essex County, No. ESX-L-1486-06: Defense of natural resource damage action filed by the State of New Jersey against a former owner and operator of a manufacturing facility that handled uranium, thorium, and industrial chemicals.
Stevens v. Battelle Memorial Institute, et al., 488 F.3d 896 (2007), 994 So.2d 1062 (Fla. 2003), 561 F.3d 1200 (2009): Defended Battelle Memorial Institute in case filed by the family of individual who died after the mailed anthrax attacks in 2001. Argued case in 11th Circuit and in Florida Supreme Court on a certified question of law. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed Battelle.
State of New Mexico v. General Electric Co., et al, 467 F.3d 1223 (10th Cir. 2006): Defense of AEC contractor at the South Albuquerque Works in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Cases sought damages for harm to natural resources caused by releases of solvents and other contaminants under CERCLA and state tort law. Obtained summary judgment for defendants using a unique blend of arguments under federal statutes, state tort law, the federal and state constitutions, and the Rio Grande compact. Holding was affirmed by the Tenth Circuit. Secured indemnity for all defense fees and costs from DOE.
Brink et. al v. Academi, et al. (D. D.C.): Defense of Halliburton and KBR in putative class action alleging a conspiracy to deny Defense Base Act benefits to employees working in war theatres. Secured dismissal of all claims against all defendants, including the claim alleged under RICO.
Griego, et al. v. Bechtel National, Inc., et al. (D. Nev.): Defense of five companies involved in the drilling of tunnels at Yucca Mountain, Nevada, the nation’s proposed spent nuclear fuel repository, in a class action alleging exposure to silica, diesel emissions, and other chemicals in the drilling of the tunnels. After defendants successfully removed the case to federal court and defeated class certification, the plaintiffs decided not to pursue their claims in litigation. DOE paid all defense fees.
Cordova v. Hughes Aircraft Co. et al. (Pima Cty. Super. Ct.): Defended former operator of site leased by the United States during World War II and provided to the contractor for performance of aircraft modifications. The defense team, after an evidentiary hearing, defeated class certification for personal injury, medical monitoring, and property damage claims. Class certification for the property damage claims was defeated using a local real estate appraiser to counter an expert on regression analysis.
Blackstone Medical, Inc. v. Osiris Therapeutics, Inc. (D. Mass.): Defense of Osiris Therapeutics against an attempt by distributors to obtain a temporary restraining order to block sale of Osiris Therapeutics’ Osteocel business. Court denied the request for a temporary restraining order and the company completed the sale.
Confidential Arbitration: Represented Trustee for securitized loan pool in effort to obtain insurance coverage under unique policies intended to protect the value of the assets in the loan pool for the benefit of the investors. Secured significant judgment from the arbitration panel that included all damages sought plus exemplary damages.
Commerce and Ind. Ins. Co., et al. v. US Nat’l. Bank Assoc., as Indenture Trustee for the Registered Holders of FMAC Loan Receivables Trusts 1997-B, 1998-B, 1998-C, 1998-D, and 2000-A (S.D.N.Y.): Represented Trustee for securitized loan pool in effort to obtain insurance coverage under various policies. Favorable settlement obtained.
Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC v. Nuclear Fuel Services, Inc. (Greenville Cty. C.P., S.Carolina): Representing Nuclear Fuel Services in a breach of contract action seeking fee under a master task agreement.
Confidential Negotiation: Represented sellers of assets in enforcing an Intellectual Property License and Transfer Agreement. Successfully negotiated a simplified payment mechanism and secured expedited payments.
State of Louisiana v. Molina Health Care Inc., et al: Currently defending former Medicaid fiscal intermediary for the State of Louisiana in an action alleging that the current and former fiscal intermediaries defrauded the State by causing the state to overpay Medicaid pharmacy provider claim.
Sealed Qui Tam Complaint: Defended client in a qui tam action alleging quality and safety deficiencies. Resolved with no settlement payment through negotiation prior to serving of complaint but after the government declined to intervene.
Confidential Investigation: Conducted investigation into allegations of fraud relating to a multi-billion dollar government project and conducted negotiations with both the agency Inspector General and the US Attorney’s Office.
Tami is the recipient of the 2013 Rainmaker Award for InsideCounsel magazine's 2nd Annual Transformative Leadership Awards West program. The award is presented to a female partner who demonstrates exemplary client service.
Tami was recognized in the BTI Consulting Group's “Client Service All-Stars” 2013 survey. The survey recognizes those attorneys that corporate counsel identify as delivering “the highest levels of client service.” This year’s report names just 307 attorneys from 194 law firms in North America and Europe.
For the past several years Super Lawyers has recognized Tami as one of the nation's leading environmental litigation lawyers.

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