Attorney Biography
As the founder and Managing Partner of The Potts Law Firm, Derek Potts dedicates his legal practice to complex litigation and trials, particularly in mass torts, pharmaceutical matters, and medical device cases. His esteemed reputation in the legal community is marked by his numerous national litigation leadership roles, frequent seminar presentations across the country, and securing landmark jury verdicts and settlements for his clients.
Derek’s accolades include being named among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, one of the Best Lawyers in America, and receiving the Best of the Bar by the Kansas City Business Journal and American Lawyer Media. In 2013, Martindale-Hubbell recognized him as a Top Rated Lawyer in Mass Torts.
His professional affiliations are extensive. Derek has served on the Board of Governors for New Lawyers of the American Association for Justice, as well as the Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys and the Kansas Association for Justice. He is also a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association.
Derek’s academic journey began at William Jewell College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History. His academic excellence earned him membership in Phi Alpha Delta, the largest co-ed professional law fraternity in the country, and Mortar Board, a national honor society recognizing outstanding students. He then pursued his Juris Doctor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law, where he was on the Dean’s List, participated in the National Appellate Advocacy Team, and received the Judge Conrad B. Duberstein Appellate Advocacy Award.
Among the many cases he has been a part of, Mr. Potts has served in leadership positions for multiple national litigations, including acting as Liaison and Co-Lead Counsel in In Re Mentor Corp. Obtape Transobturator Sling Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2004 and leading the bellwether trial team in In Re Kugel Mesh Hernia Patch Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 1842 where he was also a member of the Plaintiffs’ Steering committee. He currently serves as a member of the Executive Committee for the plaintiffs in transvaginal mesh consolidated litigation, including In Re C.R. Bard, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2187; In Re American Medical Systems, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2325; In Re Boston Scientific Corp., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2326; In Re Ethicon, Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2327; In Re Coloplast Corp., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2387; In Re Cook Medical Inc., Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2440; and In Re Neomedic Pelvic Repair System Products Liability Litigation, MDL Case No. 2511. He was appointed Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel in California’s Judicial Council Coordinated Proceedings for all Xarelto cases. He is also Plaintiffs’ co-lead counsel in the CR Bard and Neomedic MDLs.
He is licensed in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, New York, and Texas, as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of Kansas, Eastern District of Missouri, Western District of Missouri, Eastern District of Arkansas, Western District of Arkansas, Southern District of New York, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, and the District of West Virginia, and the Middle District of Georgia.
Practice Areas
Personal Injury (25%)
Medical Malpractice (25%)
Mass Tort (25%)
Class Action (25%)
