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Andrew F. Gann, Jr. Partner

Richmond T +1 804 775 1643 F fax +1 804 698 2143
Charlottesville
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Drew represents companies in class actions, mass torts, and high-stakes commercial litigation—particularly when regulatory scrutiny, reputational risk, and catastrophic loss converge. He brings deep experience guiding clients through multidistrict litigation, punitive damages exposure, and investigations by federal and state regulators, including the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), public utility commissions, and state attorneys general.

Known for his strategic judgment and ability to lead through crisis, Drew works with clients across the energy, transportation, construction, and manufacturing sectors to mitigate litigation risk while protecting long-term business priorities. Clients turn to him not only for courtroom advocacy, but also for his ability to navigate the complex intersection of litigation and regulation with clarity and precision.

Drew is also a nationally recognized thought leader on class actions and catastrophic incident litigation. He was named a Top Author in Class Action by the 2023 JD Supra Readers’ Choice Awards and regularly publishes and speaks on emerging litigation trends. His commentary has appeared in Law360, SCOTUSBlog, Texas Lawyer, Oil & Gas E-Report, and Energy Advisor, among others. He has co-authored chapters in several leading legal treatises, including Infectious Disease Litigation: Science, Law & Procedure, The Legal 500: Product Liability Country Comparative Guide, and A Practitioner’s Guide to Class Actions.

Committed to public service, Drew maintains an active pro bono practice supporting vulnerable populations, including work with Richmond’s Eviction Diversion Program and representation in no-fault divorce cases and prisoners in 42 U.S.C. §1983 actions.

Drew previously clerked for the Honorable Eugene E. Siler, Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit and the Honorable Norman K. Moon of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, where he served on the editorial boards of the Virginia Law Review and the Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law.

 

Experience

Energy Litigation

  • Serve as national wildfire counsel for numerous utilities, which entails assisting with development of comprehensive wildfire mitigation plans and seeking appropriate legislative and regulatory limitations of liability.
  • Serve as cross jurisdictional counsel for one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in a wide variety of litigation matters, including catastrophic incidents, commercial disputes, and pipeline integrity investigations.
  • Represented a utility company in a consolidated class action following a pipeline explosion from an over-pressurization event that resulted in seven class actions and more than 30 bodily injury actions.
  • Represented a leading hydrocarbon exploration and pipeline transportation company in litigation concerning environmental defects from a $500 million commercial deal.
  • Represented a natural gas transmission company in claims concerning alleged contamination of natural gas.
  • Represented a hydrocarbon exploration company in claims against the oil and gas industry for earthquakes.
  • Represented one of the largest fully regulated utility companies in connection to an explosion and fire in a shopping center.
  • Represented a natural gas transmission company in a series of lawsuits related to pipeline integrity and land rights.
  • Represented a natural gas production company in claims for negligence and trespass in the construction of a pipeline.
  • Represented natural gas distribution companies in connection to house explosions in various jurisdictions, including Kentucky, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.
  • Represented a natural gas transmission company in a breach of contract lawsuit related to the implementation of compressor stations and resulting first party and third party damage.
  • Represented electric utility company in bodily injury litigation and insurance recovery following a lithium-ion battery thermal runaway event.
  • Represented a utility company in a series of commercial disputes with contractors surrounding installation of pipelines.
  • Represented utility companies on issues related to force majeure, impossibility, and frustration of purpose in construction disputes.
  • Represented multi-national energy company on various litigation issues, including negligence, trespass, unjust enrichment, and punitive damages.
  • Represented a natural gas distribution company in claims against a contractor for installation of polyethylene plastic pipe with fusions.
  • Represented a natural gas midstream company on breach of contract issues, including liquidated damages, indemnification, and alternative dispute resolution.

Product Liability Litigation

  • Represented a Fortune 100 equipment manufacturer in a nationwide products liability class action concerning engine component parts.
  • Represented a national flooring retailer in MDL litigation involving more than 140 class actions and 30 personal injury actions alleging excessive levels of formaldehyde in Chinese-manufactured laminate flooring.
  • Represented an American Fortune 100 engine manufacturer in claims of deceptive trade practices and breach of warranty.
  • Represented a national flooring retailer in class action litigation alleging premature scratching of bamboo flooring prior to the 30-year warranty.
  • Represented a consumer product manufacturer in more than 400 claims in a Florida mass action involving alleged deceptive trade practices.
  • Represented a water treatment product manufacturer in a New Jersey class action related to deceptive trade practices.
  • Represented a retail furniture company in a Consumer Product Safety Commission investigation following a child’s death.
  • Represented one of the largest family-owned product portfolio businesses in an investigation related to fire resistant products.
  • Represented a national furniture retailer before the Consumer Product Safety Commission after a voluntary recall.
  • Represented a specialty chemical company in a complex commercial lawsuit related to adhesive film.
  • Represented a fully integrated real estate company in claims related to corded window blinds.
  • Represented a national furniture retailer in wrongful death lawsuits in numerous jurisdictions.

Other High-Stakes Litigation

  • Represented Class I railroad as punitive damages counsel in high-exposure personal injury actions.
  • Represented a former Fortune 500 Chief Executive Officer in preventing an “Apex” deposition.
  • Represented a private Christian university in various matters including claims for breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, and business conspiracy.
  • Represented one of the largest baking companies in the United States in various high-stakes personal injury claims.

Events

Insights

  • Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2021-2026
  • Named to “500 Global Leaders in Crisis Management,” Lawdragon, 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in “500 Leading U.S. Energy Lawyers,” Lawdragon, 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in Leading Lawyers, Products Liability & Toxic Torts, Virginia, Chambers USA, 2023, 2024, 2025
  • Selected for inclusion in “Legal 500 United States,” Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas, 2023
  • Recognized in “Readers’ Choice Awards,” Named a Top Class Action Author, JD Supra, 2023
  • Named to “Pro Bono Service Honor Roll,” Virginia Access to Justice Commission, 2022
  • Recipient, McGuireWoods Associate Pro Bono Award, 2021
  • Selected for inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law, Marquis Who’s Who, 2021
  • Recipient, Benjamin R. Lacy, IV Volunteer of the Year Award, 2020
  • Named to “America’s Top 100 High Stakes Litigators,” 2020

“He is an extremely thoughtful lawyer and great with strategy.” – Virginia: Product Liability & Toxic Torts Client Respondent, Chambers USA, 2025
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