Member

Carol Dan Browning

Carol Browning is an accomplished trial attorney who has tried more than 35 cases to jury verdict in multiple jurisdictions. She is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Her practice includes drug and medical device litigation, products liability and medical malpractice defense. She also serves as counsel to physicians and hospitals.

Ms. Browning serves as national or state counsel for multiple drug, medical device and product manufacturers and is involved in multi-district litigation pending in various federal district courts and in coordinated litigation pending in state courts throughout Kentucky. She has tried cases to verdict for pharmaceutical, medical device and product manufacturers in both federal and state court. In addition, she regularly defends companies in pharmaceutical pricing and other civil actions brought by states Attorneys General.

As a member of the firm based in the Louisville office, she currently serves as Chair of the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device Litigation Group and as co-chair of the Torts & Insurance Practice Group. She has previously served on the firm’s Management Committee.

Recent Assignments

Ongoing representation of international pharmaceutical companies in the Kentucky “AWP” cases. In these cases, the Attorney General has sued manufacturers alleging conspiracy to inflate reported drug prices and thereby defraud state Medicaid programs. Stites & Harbison served as lead counsel in what has become one of the most favorable AWP rulings in the country.

Reported Decisions

In re Onglyza & Kombiglyze Products Liability Litigation, No. 22-6078, 2024 WL 577372 (6th Cir. Feb. 13, 2024)

In Re: Onglyza (Saxagliptin) And Kombiglyze Xr (Saxagliptin And Metformin) Products Liability Litigation, 5:18-MD-2809-KKC (E.D. Ky 2020)

Adams v. Am. Optical Corp., 382 F. Supp. 3d 519 (W.D. Va., 2019)

Estate of Demoss v. Eli Lilly & Co., 234 F. Supp. 3d 873 (W.D. Ky 2017)

Shumate v. Medtronic, Inc. 41 F. Supp. 3d 665 (W.D. Ky. 2014)

Bar Admissions

Admitted Pro Hac Vice in Several Jurisdictions

Kentucky

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. Supreme Court

Firm Leadership

Torts & Insurance Practice Group, Co-Chair

Management Committee (2004-08 and Feb. 2020-Jan. 2024)

Pharmaceuticals & Medical Device Litigation Group, Chair (2024-present)

Louisville Office Recruiting Committee, former Member

Memberships

American College of Trial Lawyers

Product Liability Advisory Council

American Bar Association

Kentucky Bar Association

Louisville Bar Association

Defense Research Institute

International Association of Defense Counsel

Community Involvement

Kentucky State Police Personnel Board (2020-present)

Louisville Ballet, Former Board Member

Education

J.D.,

1987

magna cum laude

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law

Org / Honor

Salutatorian

Omicron Delta Kappa Outstanding Graduating Senior

President, Brandeis Society

Delta Theta Phi Law Fraternity

Journal of Family Law, Notes Editor

B.S., Civil Engineering,

1982

University of Kentucky

Org / Honor

Chi Epsilon National Civil Engineering Honor Society

American Society of Civil Engineers

More Than Stites & Harbison

Ms. Browning began her professional career as a civil engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers based in Louisville, Kentucky. She is a member of numerous professional organizations including the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Defense Research Institute, the International Association of Defense Counsel and Product Liability Advisory Council. She is active on committees within these organizations. She is also active in local charitable organizations. Ms. Browning and her husband, Winston, stay busy raising their four children. She is an aspiring equestrian and competes on her Morgan gelding, Flynn.

Accolades

Martindale-Hubbell® AV-Preeminent® Peer Review Rated

Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation – Construction; Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants; Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants; and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2007-25)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Construction (2017, 2020, 2025)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions – Defendants (2014, 2024)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2015, 2019, 2023)

Best Lawyers in America®, Louisville Area Lawyer of the Year for Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants (2022)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®(2007-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 25 Women Lawyers in Kentucky (2007-25)

Kentucky Super Lawyers®, Top 50 Attorneys in Kentucky (2013-15, 2018, 2022-25)

Benchmark: Litigation magazine, Litigation Star (2008-09, 2013-25)

Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America, Product Liability, Drug & Medical Device (2024, 2025)

University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law Outstanding Alumna 2018

Benchmark Litigation magazine, Top 250 Women in Litigation (2012)

Louisville Magazine “Top Lawyer” (2014, 2016)

Testimonials

. . . skilled trial attorney . . . well known in the legal community and is able to work well with various plaintiff and defense attorneys.

Best Lawyers client comment

Carol is extremely professional and knowledgeable. She has very strong analytical skills, which enable her to quickly understand and articulate complex medical issues.

Best Lawyers client comment