How we handle cases

We pride ourselves as trial lawyers, not discovery litigators. Everything we do is to prepare us to persuade a jury. Moreover, fifty percent of our time as a firm is spent in handling contingent fee matters for plaintiffs. Preparation in these cases is on our own nickel. We cannot afford to lose. And we cannot afford to win inefficiently.

From this, we have two guiding principles for complex litigation, which sets us apart from our competitors and adversaries. First, less is often best. Second, early discovery is effective discovery.

Neither compromise our chances of success on your case. Excess discovery is not just unproductive, it is counterproductive to the extent it educates the other side or forces them to get prepared earlier than they otherwise would. And minimal discovery doesn't mean being ill-prepared. It means learning the case quickly and by other means, such as thoroughly interviewing our client's employees and the other side's ex-employees, and conducting jury simulations.

When we walk into the courtroom, we believe we are at a natural advantage. All of our efforts are designed to retain that natural advantage. We are great believers in jury simulations or mock trials, and we conduct them early and frequently in most cases. They help us predict the outcome, hone our arguments, and conduct discovery with an eye to telling a simple story to a jury. They let our clients see how their lawyers will look and sound during the real thing. The cost is well worth the information and strategic guidance we gain.

In trial, we are tireless. Distractions are cut away. All of our focus and attention is on victory at trial. We set up and staff a "war room" close to the courthouse. Our attorneys move to the venue several weeks in advance of trial. Witness Q&As and cross-examinations are in the can. Demonstratives are ready to go. We have already determined who our optimal jurors will be, and a voir dire or jury questionnaire is ready to help us select and seat them. Anticipated evidentiary or legal points have been researched and briefed. Opening arguments are polished.

How do we handle cases? To win.