14 x The Trial Lawyer

Finding ways to top last year’s Trial Lawyers Summit may have been challenging, but organizers rose to the challenge! The 2019 Trial Lawyers Summit was an exciting event, brimming with positive energy, and if you missed it, you missed one monumental good time! But it wasn’t just fun — it was also an unmatchable opportunity to meet, greet and learn from the most celebrated trial attorneys in America! In addition to a huge Summit Kickoff Party, six-time NCAA championship-winning coach Nick Saban was the keynote speaker for the 2019 National Trial Lawyers Awards Luncheon. At the President’s Reception Grammy-winning Vocal Group Hall of Famers America performed their greatest hits like “A Horse with No Name” and “Sister Golden Hair.” This year’s event, held once again at the fun and fabulous Loews Miami Beach Hotel from January 20-23, was yet another win for those attending! Nearly 1,000 people attended this year’s Summit, with weather in the mid-70s and wind gusts off the Atlantic. With top attorneys from across the country sharing expertise and wisdom, and marketing specialists teaching new, innovative ways to improve law firm marketing, the 2019 Summit was a fantastic, energetic and dynamic gathering!

2019 Trial Lawyers Summit

By Staff Reports

16 x The Trial Lawyer The Trial Lawyer x 17

Attendees raved about this year’s Summit. “This year’s energy was unparalleled!” said Michelle Swanner, executive director of The National Trial Lawyers. Mark O’Mara of The O’Mara Law Group and the 2019 president of The National Trial Lawyers said, “The NTL Summit is, without question, the best gathering of the finest lawyers in the country. It is three

days of learning from, socializing with and networking among the highest echelon of true trial lawyers.”

This year’s Summit kicked off on Sunday with The Courtroom Playbook, a day-long seminar on the fundamentals of building a successful practice, moderated by John and Eric Romano. Crowds flocked to the Digital Marketing Workshop

moderated by Harlan Schillinger Sunday afternoon. The NTL Executive Committee had its annual meeting where they decided that next year will be the year of the woman in celebration of the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage rights.

While the Young Lawyers Happy Hour was also a crowd favorite, Sunday closed with the 2019 Summit Kickoff Party with Special Entertainment from Michael Cavanaugh who was

sponsored by Tom Girardi! This year’s party was once again sponsored by Counsel Financial.

Monday began bright and early with Complementary Pilates Class with Jennifer O’Mara followed by Sunrise Litigation Tips moderated by Douglas Beam and John Romano. The day’s general sessions began with Words of Wisdom from the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, moderated by the Honorable

Top left: NTL team Cathy Corbo, Darlene Lane and Mark Corbo enjoying the entertainment Middle left: National Black Lawyers- Past President Karen Evans working the crowdMiddle: Summit Kickoff Party with special entertainment by Michael Cavanaugh from the Billy Joel jukebox Broadway musical Movin’ Out Bottom left: 2019 NTL President Mark O’Mara entertaining the crowdRight: NTL Executive Director Michelle Swanner thanking NTL Past-President Tom Girardi for the incredible entertainment he provided.

Top Photo: Summit Kickoff Party was sponsored by Counsel Financial Left: Tom Girardi and Seth Price networking during a breakRight: NTL Diplomats Fred Cunningham, Gabe Zambrano, Mike Burg (NTL Past- President & Member of the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame) and the Honorable Judge Sandra Moss (Member of the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame)

18 x The Trial Lawyer The Trial Lawyer x 19

Sandra Moss and Lisa Blue. Attendees listened to Hall of Fame inductees as they drew upon their experiences and shared their knowledge.

At noon, the awe-inspiring and moving National Trial Lawyers Awards Luncheon was held with six-time NCAA championship-winning coach Nick Saban delivering the keynote speech. The Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer of the Year award was given to Mark Lanier for Ingham, et al v. J&J et al., and the Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year was

awarded to Benjamin Brafman. The Mass Torts Trial Team of the Year award was given to Michael Baum, Mark Burton, David Dickens, Jeff Travers and Brent Wisner for Johnson v. Monsanto, et al. Frank Branson, Debbie Branson, Chip Brooker and Eric Stahl received the Product Liability Trial Team of the Year award for Reavis v. Toyota, et al. Steve Blonder, Bob Clifford and Thomas Thrash were given the award for Class Action Trial Team of the Year for Hale v. State Farm, et al.. The Medical Malpractice Trial Teams of the Year are Brian McKeen

for Tran v. William Beaumont Hospital, et al. and The National Trial Lawyers member Kennan Dandar, Thomas Dandar and Timothy Dandar. The Truck Accident Trial Team of the Year is The National Trial Lawyers member Brent Goudarzi, Geoffrey Hoover, John Hull and Marty Young for Patterson v. FTS International, et al. and McPherson v. Jefferson Trucking, et al.

Later that afternoon, a good crowd turned out for the “Champions of Justice” Panel/Press Conference in Honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Afterward, Harlan Schillinger

and Mike Burg moderated The Business of Law 2019: The Good, the Bad and the Opportunity where attendees learned best practices for marketing themselves and their firms.

Monday’s session concluded with the Monday Mix & Mingle with World Renown Mentalist Lior Suchard, sponsored by The Nations Law Firm, American Law Firm Capital and Dalimonte Rueb, LLP. Following the mind-boggling performance, attendees gathered at The Villa, formerly known as the Versace Mansion, for the Annual Awards

Middle Right: Hall of Fame Photo Inductee – James F. Boccardo-- Keith Givens, Mike Papantonio, and Leanne Rees (daughter of James F. Boccardo)Right: 2018 Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year- Ben Brafman with NTL Past President and Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame member, Mark Geragos

Hall of Fame Inductee – Francis Hare, Sr.-- Keith Givens, Mike Papan-tonio, Francis Hare III, (grandson of Francis Hare,Sr.) and Ashley Peinhardt

Product Liability Trial Team of the Year: Chip Brooker, Debbie Branson, Michelle Swanner, Frank Branson and Eric Stahl

2018 NTL President Mark Lanier earned the 2018 Civil Plaintiff Trial Lawyer of the Year Award and the President’s Award given by NTL Executive Director Michelle Swanner

Left: Medical Malpractice Trial Team of the YearThomas Dandar, Kennan Dandar, Timothy Dandar, and Michelle SwannerMiddle Left: Class Action Trial Team of the Year Michelle Swanner and Kristofer Riddle (accepting on behalf of Bob Clifford)Below: Truck Accident Trial Team of the YearJeff Hull, Marty Young, Brent Goudarzi, and Michelle Swanner

Above: Bobby Ken-nedy speaking at the NTL Awards LuncheonBottom left: Mass Torts Trial Team of the Year--Mark Bur-ton, Michael Baum, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Brent Wisner, Michelle Swanner, and David Dickens

20 x The Trial Lawyer The Trial Lawyer x 21

Reception sponsored Girardi|Keese, co-sponsored by The Cochran Firm, Levin Papantonio Thomas Mitchell Rafferty & Proctor, P.A., Baron and Blue, and Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley.

Tuesday started with Lessons from Lanier, a sneak peek of what attendees can expect at the Lanier Trial Academy. That was followed by the morning session Trial Skills from the Legends, Masters and Giants of Trial Law, moderated by

Mark Lanier and Howard Nations. At the NTL for Women’s Rights Breakout Session, attendees enjoyed lunch and a private screening of Gloria Allred’s Netflix documentary, Seeing Allred. At noon, Mark Lanier, Mike Papantonio, Mike Burg, Michael Waddington, Michael Mogill and Judge Milton Hirsch autographed copies of their latest books at the “Meet the Author” Book Signing.

Tuesday afternoon, Karen Evans and Ibiere Seck moderated

Six-time NCAA championship-winning coach Nick Saban speaking at the NTL Awards Luncheon

Joseph Drayton and Past NTL Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Morris Dees

Left: The Business of Law with Randy Nordstrom, Felix Eckhardt, and Harlan SchillingerAbove: Micheal Mogill with Crisp Video

22 x The Trial Lawyer The Trial Lawyer x 23

The National Black Lawyers breakout session, Elevating Your Practice from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be 2.0. Harlan Schillinger and Seth Price also moderated Intake and Conversion, explaining how attendees can increase net profits by 25 percent. NTL Past President Mark Geragos and NTL Executive Committee member Mark O’Mara hosted a Criminal Defense Cocktail Hour following the afternoon session. That

was followed by the Women’s Networking & Cocktails with guest speaker Bridie Farrell, athlete and advocate, sponsored by Filevine. That evening, attendees had the option to attend The National Black Lawyers Cocktail Hour or the Criminal Defense Cocktail Hour, which was co-sponsored by O’Mara Law Group and Geragos & Geragos, before heading to the National Hotel for the President’s Reception sponsored by HMR Funding.

Awards Reception sponsor Tom Girardi at The Villa (formerly known as Versace Mansion)Middle: Mike and Terri Papantonio with Judge Sandra Moss Right: Four-time Heavyweight World Champion Evander Holyfield networking like a champ!

Guests were AMAZED at World Renowned Men-talist Lior Suchard on Monday night!

NTL Executive Committee Member Betsy Miller participates in the show

24 x The Trial Lawyer

Attendees filled the venue for excellent food, drinks and networking, leading up to the night’s big entertainment: America, sponsored by Mark and Becky Lanier. Concertgoers raved at America’s performance, singing along and dancing to so many songs they knew by heart!

Wednesday’s Rise and Shine Session moderated by Eric Romano focused on innovative approaches to depositions, damages and more. The general sessions featured Expand Your Practice — Med Mal, Mass Torts and Class Action sponsored by Simpluris. In The Winning Edge in Truck and Auto Litigation Breakout Session, Joe Fried, Michael Leizerman, Breck McDaniel, F. Tom Langley, John Givens,

Shean Williams, Joe Camerlengo and Tim Whiting gave tips on the basics of working trucking cases, persuading millennial jurors, cross examining trucking company corporate designees, how to get past defense blocks and what to do afterward. The trucking session was well organized, very informative, highly entertaining, and held the crowd.

Make plans now to attend the 2020 Trial Lawyers Summit! It will be held January 19–22, 2020, once again at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. For more information, go to ntlsummit.com. We hope to see you there next year for an event you won’t want to miss that will be even bigger and better!

Right: National Women Trial Law-yers President Kim Dougherty with Athlete and Advocate Bridie Farrell at the Women’s Networking reception

Top Right:Tuesday night’s President’s Reception took place at the National HotelTop Left: Guest enjoyed great food, networking and a private concert by AMERICA poolside at the National HotelMiddle: Mark Lanier joined the band onstage and fit right in!

Special thanks to Mark and Becky Lanier for providing the concert by AMERICA!

Below: Attendees participated in “Zen with Jen” as Jennifer O’Mara showed them stretches they could do at work throughout the day

Private screening of the Netflix Documentary, “Seeing Allred,” followed by a Women’s Rights Breakout Session