Abby McClellan Paradise

Abby McClellan Paradise primarily advocates for people who have been harmed by dangerous products – particularly dangerous drugs or medical devices. Named a “Rising Star” by Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers, she focuses on large-scale cases that involve thousands of plaintiffs across the United States.

Among her current cases:

• Envision Litigation (MD TN)
  Abby is currently advocating on behalf of healthcare workers who were not paid for all hours worked at Envision Healthcare. As a daughter and sister of medical professionals, Abby knows firsthand how hard medical professionals work and is proud to work on this case to help obtain the wages Plaintiffs deserve. 

• Kimberly-Clark Litigation (ND TX)
  Abby represents Plaintiffs in both class action and individual personal injury claims against Kimberly-Clark on behalf of consumers of the recalled Cottonelle flushable wipes. The recall involved a bacteria detected in the Cottonelle products leading to both economic losses and personal injury claims on behalf of consumers across the country and in Canada. Abby works with experts to help further understand the bacteria and injuries caused by the contamination and clients to investigate potential claims.

• 3M Combat Earplugs Multidistrict Litigation (ND Fla.)
  Abby was appointed by Judge M. Casey Rodgers to serve on the Early Vetting Committee where she helps further the litigation on behalf of all servicemembers in the litigation. When several clients were chosen to go through advanced discovery, Abby worked to obtain experts in the field of audiology and neurotology/otology. She served as the point of contact for these experts which entailed assisting with expert reports, facilitating meetings with clients, and preparing for and producing them for depositions. Abby also produced Plaintiffs and fact witness for depositions and took defense expert depositions.

• Taxotere Multidistrict Litigation (ED LA)
  Abby was appointed by a federal judge to serve on the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee of the Taxotere Products Liability Litigation, multidistrict litigation that consolidates lawsuits alleging that the breast cancer drug caused permanent hair loss. As a part of this committee, Abby helps oversee the complex management of the plaintiffs’ litigation, which involves breast cancer survivors from across the country.

Abby finds personal fulfillment from working for vulnerable individuals; her younger brother is autistic, and before attending law school, she was a special education teacher. During law school, Abby worked for the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Institute for Human Development, where she wrote grants to support people with developmental disabilities in the workplace. As an attorney, she is motivated to pursue accountability and answers for patients and their families.

As a teacher, Abby worked with students with behavior and developmental disabilities in kindergarten, first grade and second grade in Fort Madison, Iowa. Although she is no longer in the classroom, she applies this background in her legal practice; she takes pride in her ability to explain complex legal and medical subjects.

She serves as the Vice President on the Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance (LEAP) Board which fundraises and provides volunteers for Operation Breakthrough, a facility which provides a safe educational environment for children in poverty. LEAP donates over $100,000 to Operation Breakthrough every year.

When Abby isn’t practicing law, she enjoys spending time with her husband Michael, daughter Elle, and mini-sheepadoodle Scottie.

News

Experience

Prescription Drug and Device Litigation. Abby is part of the litigation team representing individuals experiencing harmful side effects from the prescription medications Risperdal, Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Taxotere and Proton Pump Inhibitors. She also represents individuals harmed by Inferior Vena Cava Filters (IVC).

Past Cases:

• Abby represented individuals who took Risperdal, a drug designed to treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism-related irritability, and experienced gynecomastia, the development of abnormal breast tissue. The litigation, which involved more than 10,000 plaintiffs, alleged that the manufacturer failed to provide adequate warning about this side effect and failed to properly research Risperdal. Abby represented several plaintiffs that were chosen for advanced discovery. Abby prepared the plaintiffs for depositions and second chaired prescribing, treating doctor and sales representative depositions. She assisted in obtaining a favorable resolution for these clients.
• Abby litigated on behalf of individuals who were prescribed Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) and suffered catastrophic injuries, including heart attacks, strokes, blood clots and death. The lawsuit alleged the manufacturers failed to warn users and marketed TRT for symptoms the drug was not designed to treat. Abby represented one of the bellwether cases chosen to go through advanced discovery. She prepared the plaintiff for deposition, produced his wife for a deposition and second chaired four physician depositions. Abby worked closely with the experts and was a part of the trial team that prepared the case for trial. The case was settled on the eve of trial.

Speaking Engagements

“Hot Topics in Mass Tots: Status of Taxotere Litigation," American Association for Justice (May 24, 2017, San Antonio, TX);

"Current Issues in MDLs and Class Actions: Selection of Lead Counsel and Steering Committees," Western District of Missouri and The Federal Bar Association (March 26, 2019, Kansas City, MO)

“Hot Topics in MDLs,” Association for Women Lawyers (March 29, 2023, Kansas City, MO).

Honors & Recognitions

The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch: 2022 to present

Missouri/Kansas Super Lawyers "Rising Stars": 2017 – 2023

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance Mardi Gras Queen: 2019

Missouri Lawyer’s Weekly Up and Coming Lawyer: 2019

Community & Professional

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation

Lawyers Encouraging Academic Performance (LEAP) – Board Member: 2016-2020; Secretary: 2020-2021; Vice President: 2021-2023

• Implement board initiatives to increase academic success for students at Operation Breakthrough
• Oversee reading buddies and study buddies program at Operation Breakthrough

Federal Practice Committee – Board Member: 2018-Present

• Collaborate with Justices from the Western District of Missouri judges and other board members to evaluate local and federal rules

UMKC School of Law Alumni Board - Board Member

• Grow the UMKC School of Law Alumni Group
• Fundraise for UMKC School of Law

Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Foundation

• Member of Young Lawyers Division
• Federal Courts Section Member
• Volunteer at annual Ask-A-Lawyer telethon

Federal Bar Association - Member

• Membership chair for Kansas and Western District of Missouri Chapter (2020-2022)

American Association for Justice (AAJ)

• Taxotere Litigation Group Member
• 3M Litigation Group Member

Association for Women Lawyers (AWL) - Member

Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art 

• Young Friends of the Arts Member
• Party Arty Committee 2014-2015

Pi Beta Phi Alumni Club - Member

P.E.O. Women’s Organization - Member