Shirlethia V.Franklin

Shirlethia Franklin is an experienced litigator and former senior U.S. Department of Justice official. She litigates complex, high-stakes product liability, pharmaceutical, mass/toxic tort, and consumer class action cases across a broad range of industries and counsels clients on federal regulatory and policy matters. Shirlethia is the practice leader for Jones Day's New Lawyers Group and co-chair of the Black Lawyers Group. She has been recognized by The National Law Journal as a "D.C. Rising Star," Bloomberg Law's "They've Got Next," and the Washington Business Journal for her "proven track record of success."

Shirlethia is currently defending a global retailer in multijurisdictional litigation brought by states and municipalities concerning the distribution of opioid products and a leading biopharmaceutical company against consumer protection and fraud claims concerning its insulin pricing practices. Among other recent matters, she served as first-chair counsel in a pro bono matter defending the Charlottesville city councilors' vote to relocate the Confederate statues at the center of the violent rally there in August 2017.

Prior to joining Jones Day, Shirlethia was Deputy Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. In these roles, she counseled two Attorneys General on significant law enforcement issues, high-profile environmental matters, and key policy initiatives. Shirlethia is a former White House Fellow — one of the nation's most prestigious fellowships for leadership and public service — and currently serves on the President's Commission on White House Fellowships. She also serves on the board for the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.