Distinguished Trial Attorney & Consumer Advocate
For more than three decades, Richard “Rick” Meadow has stood as a beacon of excellence in civil litigation, championing the rights of injured individuals and their families with unwavering dedication. As the National Mass Tort Leader and Director of Business Development for The Lanier Law Firm, he oversaw all pharmaceutical mass tort litigation while fostering and maintaining crucial national relationships. In 2023, he expanded his practice by founding The Meadow Law Firm in Phoenix, Arizona, while maintaining his relationship with The Lanier Law Firm as Of Counsel.
Legal Expertise & Leadership
Rick’s comprehensive legal experience spans multiple practice areas and jurisdictions. He is admitted to practice in Texas, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Arizona, and Washington, DC, as well as numerous Federal Courts and the United States Supreme Court. His practice encompasses:
- Mass tort and pharmaceutical litigation
- Medical device liability
- Asbestos cases
- Product defect litigation
- Sexual Abuse
- Construction accident cases
- Medical malpractice
- Lead poisoning cases
- Class Actions
His unique perspective is enhanced by his background as an insurance defense attorney for large national insurance companies, providing him with a comprehensive 360-degree view of tort law in the United States.
Notable Achievements & Recognition
Rick’s distinguished career is marked by numerous significant achievements:
- Successfully tried over 25 cases to verdict
- Integral member of The Lanier Law Firm team that secured record-setting plaintiffs’ verdicts in the Vioxx litigation
- Helped secure two significant jury awards recognized by The National Law Journal among the nation’s largest verdicts in 2002 and 2003
- Settled claims for clients in the hundreds of millions
- Argued appeals before the New York and New Jersey Appellate Divisions
His excellence has been widely recognized:
- Named Houston Lawyer of the Year for Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions (Plaintiffs) by Best Lawyers (2022)
- Listed in Best Lawyers 2024 and 2025 for Mass Tort Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation
- Named to New York Super Lawyers for six consecutive years
- Earned Texas Super Lawyer distinction
- Received a Lifetime Achievement Award in New York
- Holds a Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent™ Rating
- Recognized among Law Dragon’s Top 500 Lawyers in the Country
- Named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers
- Consistently acknowledged on the U.S. News and World Report’s Best Lawyers list
Building Success
Rick’s track record of building successful legal practices spans multiple ventures. In 2004, he demonstrated his entrepreneurial acumen by establishing and expanding The Lanier Law Firm’s New York office. Under his leadership, the office grew into a robust operation spanning three floors and housing a team of 17 attorneys. He later transitioned to the firm’s Houston office, where he handled complex commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, and class action matters. In 2023, he embarked on his latest venture with the founding of The Meadow Law Firm in Phoenix, while maintaining his valuable relationship with The Lanier Law Firm as Of Counsel.
National Leadership in Mass Tort Litigation
Rick has served in leadership positions in numerous significant mass tort litigations, including:
- In re: Levaquin Products Liability Litigation – MDL 1943
- In re: Chantix Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2092
- In re: Yasmin and Yaz (Drospirenone) Marketing Sales Practices Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2100
- In re: Zimmer Durom Hip Cup Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2158
- In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. ASR Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2197
- In re: DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc. Pinnacle Hip Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2244
- In re: Zimmer NexGen Knee Implant Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2272
- In re: American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2325
- In re: Boston Scientific Corp. Pelvic Repair Systems Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2326
- In re: Propecia (Finasteride) Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2331
- In re: Mirena IUD Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2434
- In re: Bextra – MDL 1699
- In re: Zyprexa Products Liability Litigation – MDL 1596
- In re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation – MDL 2738
National Influence & Media Presence
In 2008, Rick was honored with an invitation to testify before the United States Congress regarding the Sunshine in Litigation Bill, which proposed amendments to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure concerning protective orders in discovery and confidentiality provisions in settlement agreements. As a distinguished member of The Sedona Conference and a frequent lecturer at legal forums, he regularly shares his expertise with the legal community.
His insights and expertise are frequently sought by major media outlets, including:
- The New York Times
- Bloomberg News
- Reuters
- CBS
- ABC
- Wall Street Journal
- Law 360
Educational Background
Rick earned his Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law (1984) and his Bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University.
Commitment to Justice
What sets Rick apart is his client-centric philosophy. He approaches each case with a deep understanding that behind every lawsuit is a human story deserving of attention and advocacy. His commitment extends beyond individual cases to the broader pursuit of justice, as evidenced by his instrumental role in enhancing consumer protection measures that continue to benefit society at large.
Through The Meadow Law Firm and his Of Counsel role with The Lanier Law Firm, Rick continues to demonstrate that effective legal advocacy can drive positive societal change. His work has not only secured justice for individual clients but has also contributed to safer products, better medical practices, and stronger consumer protections. Rick remains dedicated to upholding the highest standards of legal advocacy while fighting for the rights of those who have been wronged.