June 22, 2026 (Buffalo, NY) – Hawkins Parnell partner Jessica Burgasser has been elected to the Executive Council of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA) for the Class of 2029. She has been a member of the ADTA since 2019.

Burgasser, who opened Hawkins Parnell's Buffalo office in 2025, serves as national coordinating counsel and local counsel for Fortune 500 companies and global manufacturers in product liability and mass tort litigation. Her practice focuses on complex medical and scientific issues, including claims arising from alleged exposure to asbestos, talc, hair relaxers, and other substances in emerging litigation. With more than two decades of courtroom experience, she has obtained numerous favorable verdicts in the New York State Supreme Court.

The ADTA invites only one trial lawyer per one million in population in a given jurisdiction who maintain an active trial practice devoted to defending businesses, insurance companies or their insureds, associations, or governmental entities in civil litigation. ADTA counts among its present and past members lawyers who have served as President of the American Bar Association, presidents of state bar associations, and leaders of many national, state and local defense associations.

About Hawkins Parnell & Young

Hawkins Parnell & Young is a national defense litigation firm that has represented many of the largest and most well‑known companies in high‑risk litigation and business disputes. The 250‑strong litigation team works with clients to develop winning defense strategies and, if necessary, try cases to verdict in all 50 states.