Stranch, Jennings & Garvey (SJ&G) attorneys Colleen Garvey and Janna Maples have been appointed to key leadership positions in the Depo-Provera Liability Litigation, which alleges that Pfizer Inc. failed to adequately warn patients and doctors about the risk of brain tumors associated with the hormonal contraceptive drug Depo-Provera.
The order of appointing leadership was entered on March 16, 2025, by Judge M. Casey Rodgers, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida.
Garvey has been appointed to the Law and Briefing Subcommittee, which is a subcommittee of the Steering Committee. This Subcommittee will work in consultation with Lead and Co-Lead Counsel, Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel, and the Executive and Steering Committees to plan, research and prepare the Plaintiffs’ pleadings, motions, responsive briefs, proposed orders and other written materials during this litigation.
“I am deeply honored to receive this appointment, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to learn from and work alongside highly qualified, experienced attorneys,” Garvey said. “I look forward to contributing to this litigation on behalf of the women who have been harmed by Depo-Provera.”
Maples has been appointed to the Electronically Stored Information (ESI) and Discovery Subcommittee, which is also a subcommittee of the Steering Committee. This subcommittee will work to manage the receipt, production, organization and review of ESI, including through any data management firm Plaintiffs may retain. This subcommittee is also responsible for any modifications to privilege and confidentiality protocols, and for developing and proposing to the Court any modifications to the schedules for the initiation, conduct and completion of discovery.
“I am pleased to have been granted the privilege to serve on the ESI and Discovery Subcommittee,” Maples said. “I am eager to work with my colleagues to seek justice for the harm brought upon the women who have experienced adverse effects from Depo-Provera.”
On Feb. 7, 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation centralized and transferred the Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation, MDL No. 3140, to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida for pretrial proceedings before Judge Rodgers. The transferred actions share allegations that injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera, or its generic equivalents, can cause users to develop one or more meningiomas, a type of brain tumor. Defendants maintain that the medication is safe and effective.