Jade A. Haileselassie

Jade represents individual clients in multidistrict litigation against social media platforms such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram), Google (YouTube), Snap and TikTok. Plaintiffs in In re Social Media Adolescent Addiction/Personal Injury Products Liability Litigation have alleged the defendants’ platforms are defective because they are designed to maximize screen time, which can lead to addictive behavior in adolescents and result in various emotional and physical harms, including death. Jade also helps lead the firm’s work on behalf of school district clients in the social media litigation. The public clients she represents have joined MDL 3047 to help abate the alleged public nuisance caused by social media products.

Jade serves as part of the team representing dozens of cities, towns, counties, and townships in the National Prescription Opiate MDL targeting opioid manufacturers, distributors, pharmacies, and others accused of causing the opioid crisis. She represents terror victims in litigation against alleged financiers of the Tamil Tigers terrorist organization in Sri Lanka, September 11, 2001 victims, and survivors in litigation against material sponsors of terrorism for their role in the attacks, and victims with claims filed with the U.S. Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund. Jade recently participated in briefing in opposition of Saudi Arabia’s renewed motion to dismiss litigation alleging liability in the September 11th attacks. In addition, Jade litigates against businesses that allegedly failed to protect the private information of consumers, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft and other crimes. Jade also litigated vehicle emissions fraud claims against Volkswagen and Fiat-Chrysler and represented drivers allegedly injured by exploding Takata airbags.

Prior to joining Motley Rice, Jade founded Jade Blum Law in Baltimore representing clients in criminal, business, personal injury, bankruptcy, and consumer fraud cases and provided pro bono services for Baltimore’s underserved communities. She also was an associate and settlement officer for a Maryland firm where she focused on real estate, title law and estate planning. Jade interned for the Honorable Judge John C. Themelis, Baltimore City Circuit Court, while completing her legal studies and was a research assistant for multiple University of Baltimore professors and the University Conflict Management Service.

On a community level, Jade is concerned with alleviating hunger and food insecurity and supports East Cooper Meals on Wheels, including in participating in meal delivery through Motely Rice’s Project GO! outreach program. Additionally, she supports the mission of Charleston HALOS, a local organization that supports children and their caregivers with tools and resources to improve their lives. She also serves on multiple internal committees within Motley Rice to help guide a variety of initiatives. While in Baltimore, Jade assisted Baltimore’s Iron Crow Theater in obtaining nonprofit status and served on its Board of Directors. She also volunteered with the city’s Homeless Persons Representation Project, actively supported the Community Law Center, and traveled to disaster areas to volunteer with the Red Cross.

Certifications:
*IAPP CIPP/US, awarded to certified professionals with proven knowledge of U.S. privacy laws and regulations