Butler Snow LLP is pleased to announce that attorneys Richelle W. Kidder and Trent A. Mansfield have been named recipients of Law360’s 2026 Distinguished Legal Writing Awards, as part of the Burton Awards Program.
Kidder and Mansfield’s article, “Turnabout is Fair Play – ‘Junk Science’ Litigation Aftermath: Requisite Retractions and Dubious Do-Overs,” was recognized as one of 20 articles chosen from the nation’s top 1,000 largest law firms. Selected articles must illustrate the highest caliber in technical skill and effective writing while also exemplifying an elevated standard of excellence.
The article was published in Pro Te: Solutio, Butler Snow’s award-winning publication that offers a collection of analysis, information and insights designed specifically for the pharmaceutical, medical device and healthcare industries.
Awards will be presented at the 27th Annual Burton Awards at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. on June 1, 2026. The awards ceremony will be followed by a cocktail reception, a gala dinner, and a special performance by Tony-Award winning Nicole Scherzinger.
Richelle W. Kidder
Kidder is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation Group. A graduate of The Ohio State University (bachelor’s degree) and the University of Houston Law Center (Juris Doctor). Kidder first developed a love for legal writing during her clerkship with the Honorable David Hittner in the Southern Division of Texas, Houston Division (2000-2002).
Since joining Butler Snow in 2011, she has engaged in written advocacy covering every aspect of civil litigation. In conjunction with internal and external counsel, she has prepared thousands of pleadings, motions, and responses, ranging from legal memoranda and strategic analyses to nearly every type of motion-related work product. Kidder has extensive experience with federal notices of removal, as well as federal and state discovery motions, motions to dismiss, summary judgment motions, Rule 702 motions to exclude, motions in limine, motions to bifurcate, jury instructions and post-trial filings.
She also has extensive experience coordinating motions-related practice in mass torts and in consolidated federal and state court proceedings. This work has enabled Kidder to develop a strong working relationship with co-counsel at defense firms across the country, often in cases requiring hundreds of sometimes-simultaneous filings. As one example, she was the lead motions coordinator for several of the Ethicon Pelvic Mesh MDL “wave” case management orders, including one wave where the Court originally ordered workup of more than 10,000 cases, and where 21 different law firms were involved in case workup and motions practice under a single case management order.
Kidder has a passion for legal writing. Beyond the work she performs for Butler Snow’s clients, she cherishes the opportunity to lead legal writing seminars and mentor new associates to enhance their written advocacy skills. She also participates in Butler Snow’s pro bono initiatives, presents on topics including substantive legal issues and best practices, and leads internal workshops on written advocacy. Kidder has authored litigation-related articles, including submissions to Pro Te: Solutio, Butler Snow’s publication for clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, and healthcare industries.
Trent A. Mansfield
Mansfield is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation Group and focuses his practice on pharmaceutical and medical device products liability litigation. He has experience in various aspects of discovery and deposition preparation in such actions.
Mansfield was recognized by BL Rankings, The Best Lawyers in America®, as ‘One to Watch’ for appellate practice in 2026. He obtained his J.D., magna cum laude, from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law, where he served as Acquisitions Editor for the Cumberland Law Review. He obtained his B.S. and B.A., summa cum laude, from Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he served as President of the Student Government Association and as a member of the varsity golf team.
He is admitted to the Alabama State Bar and the U.S. District Court for the Northern, Middle, and Southern Districts of Alabama.
