Profile
Pamela Overton Risoleo has been serving on the National Litigation Steering Committee since she was appointed in 2008. She was chairman of the firm’s Phoenix Litigation Practice from the time the office opened in 1999 until 2014 and also served on the National Executive Committee from 2002 until 2014. Pam previously served as Vice Chairman of the Pharmaceutical, Medical Device & Health Care Litigation Practice, having represented Fortune 500 companies such as Medtronic, Inc., Sanofi-Aventis and ZLB Behring LLC, Lorillard Tobacco Company and Loews Corporation. She currently serves as both National and Regional counsel, and has managed large litigation teams, many of which include lawyers from other national law firms. Companies in almost every industry are now often confronted with the threat of a cyber or data breach, as well as the challenge of managing the financial impact, the harm to the company’s image and brand, and the litigation that may follow. Pam has been called upon to assist our clients in navigating their way through the new reality of class action litigations resulting from an alleged data breach. She helps manage the fallout from a data breach and provides a strategic defense in the often complex litigation that typically follows.
Before joining the firm, she practiced for sixteen years at O'Connor Cavanagh, where she served as a member of the Board of Directors and as a member of the Compensation Committee. Her practice focuses on class action litigation, complex business torts, product liability, medical and pharmaceutical device defense, and regulatory matters with the SEC, FTC, Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), the National Association of Attorney Generals (NAAG), and others. Her representation of Lorillard Tobacco Company included claims related to counterfeit cigarettes, class action defense, Rico claims and business torts.
Pam has been instrumental in many key initiatives, such as the Charitable Giving Program, associate training and mentoring, the Hiring Committee, and the Summer Associate Program. Her tireless work ethic, commitment to clients, sharp mediation, arbitration and trial advocacy skills, and her ability to motivate and cultivate a collaborative team environment have brought her the highest accolades from Arizona and national organizations and publications. She received the prestigious honor of being named Arizona Woman Magazine's "Arizona Woman of the Year" in 2008, has been recognized as one of the "Top Ten Business Women in the State of Arizona” for twelve straight years, and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America every year since 2008. In the Phoenix Business Journal's Executive Profile on May 14, 2010 it was stated that "she's considered by many to be one of the most influential corporate attorneys in the state." Other honors include a listing in Southwest Super Lawyers for four consecutive years, recognition in Arizona Business Magazine as one of the leading Arizona"Women in Power," and receiving the Arizona's"Golden Heart of Business" award from Today's Arizona Woman magazine, acknowledging her extensive contributions to the Arizona business community and to local charities. The Phoenix Business Journal featured her in a profile, which praised her "focused values" as well as her ability to attain success and excellence in her practice while balancing family and service to her community. Pam was appointed by the Arizona Governor to serve as a hearing officer for the Ethics Committee of the Arizona State Bar from 1997 to 2000. She is ranked AV® Preeminent, the highest certification mark offered by Martindale-Hubbell.*
Concentrations
- Class action litigation
- Product liability
- Pharmaceutical and medical device litigation
- Commercial litigation
- Business torts
- Breach of contract
- Cyber and data breach litigation
- Eminent domain
Capabilities
Recognition & Leadership
- Team Member, a Law360 “Product Liability Practice Group of the Year,” 2021-2022
- Listed, The Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2009-2025
- Team Member, The American Lawyer’s “Products Liability Litigation Department of the Year,” 2018
- Listed, AZ Business Magazine, "Top 100 Lawyers in Arizona," 2016-2021
- Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Southwest Super Lawyers, 2007-2024
- "Top 25 Women Lawyers in Arizona," 2014-2020
- Recipient, Peggy Goldwater Public Service Award, the American Heart Association (for 25 years of outstanding community service in Arizona), 2017
- Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017
- Listed, AZ Business Leaders, Business & Commercial Litigation, 2015
- Recipient, "YWCA Tribute to Leadership Award" Community Service Corporate Leader Awards, 2013
- Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Litigation - Product Liability and Mass Tort Defense: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, 2012
- Recipient, Founders Award, Fresh Start Women’s Foundation, 2012
- Listed, Phoenix Business Journal "Top 25 Outstanding Women in Business," 2011
- Recipient, "Arizona Woman of the Year," Arizona Woman magazine, 2008
- Recipient, Today's Arizona Woman, "Golden Heart of Business" Award
- Rated, AV Preeminent® 5.0 out of 5.0
- Founding Member, Fresh Start Women's Foundation, Board of Directors, 1993-Present
- Member, American Heart Association, 1993-Present
- President, Trends Charitable Fund, Board of Directors, 2003-2006
- Co-Chair, Fresh Start Gala, 1996, 2005 and 2016
- Vice Chairman, American Heart Association, Heart Ball, 1999
- Board Member, Steele Memorial Children's Research Center, Board of Directors
- Member, American Bar Association, Section of Litigation, Committee on Condemnation
- Member, Arizona Association of Defense Counsel, Ethics Committee
- Member, Arizona Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Arizona Women Lawyers Association, Steering Committee
- Member, Brophy Mother's Guild Board
- Member, Defense Research Institute
- Member, League of Arizona Cities and Towns
- Member, Maricopa County Bar
Credentials
-
J.D., University of Iowa College of Law, 1983
- Phi Delta Phi Member
- Mortar Board
- B.S., University of Iowa, 1981
- Arizona
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona