Robins Kaplan LLP is pleased to announce that partner Rayna Kessler has been selected for inclusion in Crain's New York Business’s 2026 Notable Women in Law list. The list honors standout women attorneys across New York who demonstrate excellence in the legal profession while making meaningful contributions to their communities.
Kessler is Deputy Chair of the firm’s National Mass Tort Group and a nationally recognized leader in emerging mass tort litigation and advocacy for survivors of child sexual abuse. She has held court-appointed leadership roles in complex, high-profile matters, including the Taxotere, Abilify, and Olmesartan multi-county litigations. She currently serves as MDL Liaison Counsel in the Exactech knee and hip replacement litigation in the Eastern District of New York.
In October 2025, Kessler secured a $5 million jury verdict on behalf of a survivor of child sexual abuse against the Order of St. Benedict of New Jersey, which operates the prestigious Delbarton School in Morristown. The verdict is the first known in New Jersey against an entity of the Catholic Church for the sexual abuse of a minor, marking a significant milestone in institutional accountability litigation.
Beyond her courtroom achievements, Kessler serves on the Executive Committee of Public Justice, is a Board Trustee of the National Civil Justice Institute, a member of American Law Institute, and a Board Member of Collective Liberty. She also founded a New York–based plaintiff attorney networking group focused on fostering collaboration across diverse practice areas.
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