Sorcha Whyte

Sorcha Whyte advises global manufacturers in high-value product liability, mass tort claims, and product safety matters in the United Kingdom.

Sorcha has a particular interest in group litigation and is involved in high-profile and commercially sensitive matters, which are often multijurisdictional and, as a result, liaises with local counsel around the world to coordinate strategy with respect to cross-border claims and represents clients from across the globe. She handles a range of product claims and related actions arising from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, consumer goods, machinery, and automotives.

Sorcha assists client communication teams with conveying legal developments to key stakeholders, including investors, as well as working to manage brand reputation. She has experience in assessing advertisements to ensure they comply with the Advertising Standards Authority's Codes. Sorcha is currently working on the Johnson & Johnson talc-related claims, taking on a significant role in the day-to-day management of this litigation.

Prior to joining Jones Day in 2025, Sorcha acted on behalf of a blue-chip company in pursuing its former agent in a dispute worth tens of millions of pounds. She also assisted with a case related to allegedly defective batteries in electrical vehicles and represented foreign car manufacturers in the NOx emissions litigation, where the number of claimants ran into the thousands, and was a member of a team ranked Band 1 in Chambers for product liability and life sciences.

While Sorcha primarily focuses on product liability work, she also advises clients on regulatory developments and the potential implications on clients' portfolios of products. She has extensive pre-action experience, resolving disputes at an early stage including at mediation or following settlement negotiations.