Elizabeth Underwood is a proven litigator who is skilled in aggressively prosecuting and defending complex commercial and antitrust, white collar, toxic tort and environmental exposure and contamination, mass tort product liability, and wrongful death and other catastrophic injury claims in state and federal courts nationwide. Elizabeth has served on national trial teams and as defense liaison counsel in multidistrict litigation proceedings and California Judicial Council Coordinated Proceedings. Her representation spans various industries including pharmaceutical, medical device, cosmetics, automotive, internet, technology and engineering, banking and finance, media and entertainment, biotechnology, home appliance, food and beverage, insurance, transportation, and aerospace and defense.

Regarded for her intellectual rigor, pragmatism, and grit, Elizabeth also provides clients with strategic advice for navigating high-stakes risk management and compliance matters that often occur in tandem with litigation such as intense government investigations, monitorships, internal and whistleblower probes, and crisis communications.

Beyond litigation, Elizabeth is an adjunct law professor – teaching courses in constitutional law, contacts and sales, contract drafting, and civil procedure. Elizabeth has authored publications for Defense Research Institute and The National Law Review. Her pro bono work includes representing clients in domestic disputes, immigration, wrongful conviction, and erroneous sentencing matters.

Prior to practicing law, Elizabeth amassed a diverse portfolio of work that includes conducting genetics research to inform pharmaceutical drug therapies, advising state congressional members on emerging healthcare issues impacting low-income communities, and drafting healthcare legislation.

Elizabeth enjoys leisure reading, horseback riding, music concerts, performing arts, “foodieing,” and travel.

Bar Admission

• California
• Indiana
• New York
• Texas (Pending)

Court Admissions

• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
• US. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana
• US. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
• US. District Court for the Central District of California
• US. District Court for the Eastern District of California
• US. District Court for the Northern District of California
• US. District Court for the Southern District of California

• Indiana University – Paul H. O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs
• University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D.
• Indiana University School of Medicine, M.S., medical science
• Saint Mary’s College, B.A., psychology

• The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch, 2024
• Lawyers of Color Wonderful Women List, 2023
• The National Black Lawyers, Top 100, 2020
• The National Black Lawyers, 40 Under 40, 2016