Cowan, John A.

Sean Costello is an experienced litigator whose practice is focused principally on the defense of corporations in large-scale, class action litigation. He has helped clients defend against dozens of class actions in state and federal jurisdictions, including multidistrict litigation proceedings. He has played lead and instrumental roles in some of the most significant class action litigation of the last decade, including the "lights" cigarette class actions, Firestone tire recall multidistrict litigation, and the so-called "not for profit" hospital cases.

Sean is not exclusively a class action litigator. He has played significant roles in internal investigations, shareholder litigation, toxic tort and products liability cases, False Claims Act/qui tam actions, commercial disputes (representing both plaintiffs and defendants), and civil rights litigation. Sean has handled every aspect of the litigation process, from initial investigation and counseling through settlement, trial, and appeal.

Since joining the Firm, Sean has been a critical member of several trial teams. In 2006, he was one of three Jones Day lawyers who won a unanimous defense verdict following a multiweek trial in a high-profile products liability case in Seattle, Washington.

A prolific author, Sean has published well-received academic articles in prestigious law reviews and has written academic and practical "how to" articles for a range of other publications, including the Class Action Litigation Report and various Andrews Litigation Reporters. In addition, Sean is a frequent "guest blogger" on Jones Day Partner Mark Herrmann's drug and device law blog (druganddevicelaw.blogspot.com).

Sean is licensed to practice in Georgia and Ohio, is admitted to the bars of several federal trial and appellate courts, and has appeared in courts throughout the United States. He is an active member of the Defense Research Institute and the Case Western Reserve Law School Alumni Association Board.