Shows
Just VerdictsTrial Nugget: Shanin Specter’s Punitive Damage Blueprint: Reframing Net WorthIn the second Trial Nugget devoted to punitive damages, host Brendan Lupetin breaks down Goretzka v. West Penn Power, in which a woman was fatally electrocuted when a power line fell on her. Brendan reads key moments from the punitive section of Shanin Specter’s closing argument, including when he reframed West Penn Power’s $244 million net worth. Shanin showed the jury a $10 bill and suggested that the appropriate way of considering damages would be to say, “‘What would it be if it were a guy with $10? How much would that be to make him feel it? To make him not...
2025-08-1213 minJust VerdictsSmoking Guns that Turned $300K into $4.4M, with Blankingship & KeithAt Blankingship & Keith, they often say: "There's a smoking gun in every case; just, sometimes, you don't find it." With tenacity and strategy, a firm team found smoking guns in their recent case against a commercial trucking company. The team – Rob Stoney, Chidi James, Barkley Horn, and Matt Tsun – uncovered inspection failures that allowed a truck with inadequate brakes and safety features to be on the road. It collided with their client’s vehicle, causing her life-altering injuries. Listen to this case breakdown with host Brendan Lupetin to learn how they turned a $300,000 insurance policy into a $4.4 million jury verdic...
2025-08-091h 11Just VerdictsFrom Policy Violation to $5.25M Verdict, with Dorothy Dohanics, Carmen Nocera, and Ben CohenThe hospital had a good policy that would have prevented a 67-year-old woman from being prematurely discharged. Instead, she was discharged and found dead 12 hours later. Host Brendan Lupetin unpacks this wrongful death case with the trial team of Dorothy Dohanics, Carmen Nocera and Ben Cohen. Tune in to hear how Dorothy's meticulous discovery work and Carmen and Ben's strategic courtroom work drove their $5.25 million verdict. Learn More and Connect☑️ Ben Cohen ☑️ Dorothy Dohanics | LinkedIn☑️ Carmen Nocera | LinkedIn☑️ Harry S. Cohen & Associates on LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube☑️ Brendan Lupetin | Link...
2025-07-2358 minJust VerdictsTrial Nugget: Arguing Punitive Damages - Mark Lanier's ApproachIn the first of a two-part series about approaches to arguing punitives, host Brendan Lupetin focuses on Mark Lanier's $9 billion verdict against Takeda Pharmaceuticals. Brendan breaks down the three-part strategy that ensured Mark’s success: emphasizing the purpose of punitive damages beyond compensation, empowering jurors to understand their verdict will travel globally within 30 seconds, and making astronomical corporate wealth comprehensible by converting $60 billion into relatable $60,000 scenarios. Come back for the second installment, when Brendan will analyze how Shanin Specter won $109 million from West Penn Power Company in the Goretzka case.Produced and Powered by LawPods.
2025-07-0911 minJust VerdictsTrial Nugget: Chorus, Not Clutter: What to Repeat at TrialHost Brendan Lupetin tackles the strategic paradox every trial lawyer faces: how to emphasize your strongest evidence through repetition without annoying jurors who hate lawyers who "say the same thing over and over." Drawing extensively from David Ball's "Theater Tips and Strategies for Jury Trials," Brendan explains the critical distinction between strategic repetition that wins cases and mindless repetition that loses them. He reveals Ball's gold standard for what to repeat—only what you want favorable jurors to say in deliberations—and shares the cautionary tale of a lawyer who said "in the blue Honda Civic southbound on US Inte...
2025-06-3008 minJust VerdictsDavid v. Goliath: Solo Practitioner’s $25.9M Victory against Temple University, with Jordan StrokovskyWhen Jordan Strokovsky received a call about a 27-year-old medical assistant who lost his leg at Temple University Hospital, he knew within minutes something wasn't right. In this breakdown of his career-defining $25.9 million verdict in Parks v. Temple University Hospital, Jordan reveals to host Brendan Lupetin how he transformed a damages-only case into one of Philadelphia's largest amputation verdicts. Learn More and Connect☑️ Jordan Strokovsky | LinkedIn | Facebook☑️ Strokovsky LLC on LinkedIn | Facebook☑️ Brendan Lupetin | LinkedIn☑️ Lupetin & Unatin, LLC☑️ Connect: Facebook | LinkedIn | YouTube☑️ Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTubeR...
2025-06-231h 09Just VerdictsExposing a Scam Medical Helpline and Winning $4.2M, with Helen LawlessWhile representing a client who lost his foot after relying on his employer’s medical helpline, Helen Lawless and the trial team realized that the helpline did “exactly what it was supposed to do.” And their strategy was born. In this case breakdown with host Brendan Lupetin, Helen explains that the helpline was actually a lucrative business model designed to keep workers from getting proper medical care. Their “constant refrain” to the jury, Helen says, was that the company benefited from the deceptive helpline just as it intended. Ultimately, a Philadelphia jury awarded her client $4.2 million.Learn More and C...
2025-06-0952 minJust VerdictsTrial Nugget: Focus on the Framing EffectHost Brendan Lupetin breaks down two powerful psychological principles that can transform your trial strategy: the focusing illusion and the framing effect. Drawing from cognitive research and courtroom experience, Brendan explains that jurors focus on what's presented as most important – and lawyers who don’t control the jurors’ focus leave their case to chance. Using examples from a recent medical malpractice victory involving critical limb ischemia, he demonstrates how deliberate focusing—rather than presenting every available fact—leads to stronger verdicts and more persuasive arguments. Produced and Powered by LawPods.
2025-06-0610 minJust VerdictsThe Surprising Trial Tactics That Won $25 Million, with Katie Bertram and Kieran MurphyA $25 million medical malpractice verdict came from strategies most attorneys would reject: omitting economic damages entirely, using minimal medical literature, and framing informed consent to transcend political divides. Katie Bertram and Kieran Murphy of Bertram & Murphy dissect their victory with host Brendan Lupetin. The attorneys reveal how focus groups guided their decision to withhold a $7 million economic loss claim that could have anchored the jury to a lower amount. Tune in for an inside look into their methodical approach to cross-examination that avoided battles over medical literature while exposing expert credibility issues.Learn More and Connect
2025-05-231h 21Just VerdictsFrom $10,000 Offer to $130,000 Verdict, with Eric Chaffin and Justin Joseph"We're big believers in looking at cases and trying to drive the value we believe they're worth," says Eric Chaffin about the $130,000 verdict he and Justin Joseph secured when the insurance company offered just $10,000. Host Brendan Lupetin explores how the trial partners transformed a "typical" meniscal tear case into a compelling human story. Using psychodrama techniques and focusing on the emotional impact of the injury, they convinced jurors to look beyond minimal vehicle damage and limited medical treatment to see the true impact on their "quintessential Pittsburgh" beer delivery driver client.Learn More and Connect☑️ Eric...
2025-05-091h 01Just VerdictsThe Hidden Warning Label that Won $19M, with Mike Calder and Jon Perry"We don't know and we don't care how Mike came into contact with that raft," trial lawyer Mike Calder told jurors in a case many attorneys had rejected. In this conversation with host Brendan Lupetin, Mike and trial partner Jon Perry of Perry Calder dissect their $19 million verdict for a 21-year-old who became quadriplegic after a swimming pool accident. Originally signing the case with limited expectations, the team persevered after homeowners who initially expressed responsibility later denied fault. Tune in as they reveal how they overcame premises liability challenges, identified a critical warning label, and built a case that...
2025-04-231h 15Just VerdictsTwo Young Lawyers, One Career-Making Verdict: $856,000 for Stroke VictimWhen a 64-year-old man with classic stroke symptoms was misdiagnosed with Bell's Palsy, his care was delayed by 19 critical hours. Host Brendan Lupetin interviews classmates-turned-colleagues Ben Cohen and Carmen Nocera about their $856,000 medical malpractice verdict in Washington County, PA. The young attorneys reveal how they exposed contradictions in the defense's position, leveraged a damning phone call recording, and maintained credibility with the jury through a grueling two-week trial against experienced defense lawyers.Learn More and Connect☑️ Ben Cohen | LinkedIn☑️ Carmen Nocera | LinkedIn☑️ Harry S. Cohen & Associates on LinkedIn | Facebook | YouTube☑️ Brendan...
2025-04-091h 02Just VerdictsTrial Nugget: Power ReadingIn this trial nugget, Brendan Lupetin challenges the notion that trial lawyers must deliver openings and closings completely from memory. Drawing inspiration from James Humes' book "Speak Like Churchill, Stand Like Lincoln," Brendan introduces the "power reading" technique used by communicators from Ronald Reagan to Rick Friedman. This approach combines written precision with conversational delivery through two key principles: "memorize, then conversationalize" and the "see, stop, say" method. Brendan shares how he successfully implemented these techniques in his recent trial victory, offering a practical alternative for attorneys who want to sound natural while maintaining complete control over their message.
2025-04-0309 minJust VerdictsThe “Only Doctor in Town” Defense? We Cracked the Code"It's a stroke of the leg, ladies and gentlemen." When critical limb ischemia struck their client Kirt, every minute counted—yet the county's only vascular surgeon remained at a wound care center despite multiple emergency calls. In this breakdown of their recent $2.2 million verdict, host Brendan Lupetin, partner Greg Unatin, and associate Garrett Trettel reveal how they overcame challenges including COVID-related defenses, contradictory timeline claims, and the fear of alienating the only specialist serving their rural community. Learn More and Connect☑️ Greg Unatin | LinkedIn☑️ Garrett Trettel | LinkedIn☑️ Brendan Lupetin | LinkedIn☑️ Lupetin...
2025-03-231h 14Just VerdictsTrial Nugget: Winning the Causation Battle: How to Make 'Increased Risk of Harm' Work for YouBrendan Lupetin offers a practical strategy for explaining "increased risk of harm" causation to jurors in medical negligence cases. Using relatable examples like a Steelers game and a house fire, he demonstrates how to transform this challenging legal concept from a technical hurdle into a powerful asset. Brendan emphasizes the importance of introducing this concept in opening statements and reinforcing it during closing arguments to ensure juror comprehension.Produced and Powered by LawPods
2025-03-1909 minJust VerdictsVerdict Whisperers: How Alicia and John Campbell Are Winning Big With DataTrial lawyers John and Alicia Campbell join Brendan Lupetin to discuss how data analytics is transforming case evaluation and jury selection. The founders of Campbell Law and co-authors of “Jury Ball: The Big Data Revolution Is Here” explain their pioneering approach of using large sample studies to predict jury behavior, identify case values, and develop winning strategies. With over 900 civil cases analyzed, they share how their methods have helped attorneys secure multimillion-dollar verdicts, avoid costly mistakes, and make informed settlement decisions based on statistical evidence rather than gut instinct.Learn More and Connect☑️ John & Alicia Campbell...
2025-03-091h 15Just VerdictsTrial Nugget: AI in OpeningIn this Trial Nugget, host Brendan Lupetin discusses how trial lawyers can leverage AI tools like ChatGPT to simplify complex legal concepts for juries. As one example, he focuses on the "increased risk of harm" causation framework in medical malpractice. What’s a compelling, relatable way to explain that legal standard to a jury? Brendan shares a prompt that he gave to ChatGPT. Tune in to hear the result.Produced and Powered by LawPods
2025-03-0507 minJust VerdictsCrack the Jury Code: How a New Tool Is Driving Verdicts and SettlementsHost Brendan Lupetin interviews the creators of Predict, a jury research and analytics tool available through Precise Trial. Pete Mansmann is the CEO of Precise Trial and Rich Epstein and Oscar McKnight founded a consulting firm called Scientific Legal Services that uses statistical data to predict the outcome of litigation. As Rich explains, Predict has many applications for lawyers throughout the trial process. The guests break down the science behind Predict, describe how it uses AI and "human-assisted AI,” and outline its different products. Ultimately, they suggest that the real value for lawyers is the case concepts that Predict re...
2025-02-231h 08Just VerdictsTrial Nugget: Perfection is the Enemy of ProgressPerfectionism isn’t just unrealistic; it can also be your undoing. In this Trial Nugget, Brendan Lupetin describes the dangers of clinging to illusions of a “perfect” trial. One risk? Missing opportunities at the real one. Tune in as Brendan recaps Chapter 9 of Rick Friedman’s "Becoming a Trial Lawyer" and offers a cure for perfectionism. Spoiler: It’s about preparation.Produced and Powered by LawPods
2025-02-2007 minJust VerdictsMastering Medical Malpractice Arbitration: Insider Strategies from a Top Trial LawyerIn two decades of practicing law, host Brendan Lupetin hasn’t undertaken binding arbitration in a med-mal case. Sud Patel, past president of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice and leading trial lawyer at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, recently had two successful outcomes. So Brendan invites him to share his insights for plaintiffs’ lawyers with little or no experience in the process. In both of Sud’s cases, the arbitrator ruled in his clients’ favor, and the defense paid on time.Learn More and Connect☑️ Sud Patel | LinkedIn☑️ Fanelli, Evans & Patel on LinkedIn | X | Facebook☑️ Brendan...
2025-02-0956 minJust VerdictsTrial Nugget: Rick Friedman's Advice on Distilling Your Case to the EssentialsBrendan discusses the concept of simplicity in trial advocacy, drawing from the book "Becoming a Trial Lawyer" by Rick Friedman. He emphasizes the importance of presenting a simple, easy-to-understand case theme and streamlining evidence to connect with the jury.Produced and Powered by LawPods
2025-02-0608 minJust VerdictsBurning the “Trash Contract” and Winning $4.2M, with Gary GreenWhen the software developer for Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana system decided to fire its minority-owned subcontractor after three years, it pointed to a provision in an old contract. Representing the subcontractor, Gary Green called the contract “trash.” Over and over, maybe 50 times.“They're going to come in here blowing smoke like crazy. And you have to remember two things,” Gary told the jury. “The trash contract and the smoke.”In his visit with host Brendan Lupetin, Gary describes how he laid out the complex contract dispute with such clarity that jurors “got it.” They returned a $4.2 million ver...
2025-01-231h 01Just VerdictsNo Such Thing as a Good or Bad Juror, with Harry PlotkinDon’t ask prospective jurors if they hate lawsuits; you won’t learn anything about them. Don’t talk about damages early on; you’ll only rub them the wrong way. And don’t make rules like, “I never have ‘X’ on a jury”; you could waste a peremptory strike on a potentially great juror.Renowned jury consultant Harry Plotkin, of Your Next Jury, has seen plaintiffs’ lawyers make these mistakes and others through over two decades of mastering the art of jury selection. In this conversation with host Brendan Lupetin, Harry offers solutions and insights on everything from an e...
2025-01-091h 06Just VerdictsCapitalizing on Defense Gifts to Secure $29M Verdict, with Clancy BoylanThe gods gave Clancy Boylan and his team at Morgan & Morgan a few gifts in their case against a truck driver and his employer. Clancy’s client was riding his mountain bike across a road when the truck hit him, leaving him with catastrophic injuries.One gift was the defense’s tone-deaf examination of Clancy’s client. Another was Clancy catching a trooper’s inaccurate testimony about his client. Tune in as Clancy breaks down the case with host Brendan Lupetin. It went to trial after the insurance company offered $500,000. It ended with the jury’s gift of $29 mil...
2024-12-2350 minJust VerdictsInside $15M Verdict in Challenging Van Rollover Case, with Tom Bosworth and Ben PhelpsTom Bosworth and Ben Phelps, of Bosworth Law, took calculated risks in their case against a staffing company and the driver it hired, who was taking employees of a potato chip factory to work when his van rolled over in a downpour. Several workers were injured or killed.They did not, for example, call an expert on economic damages. Nor did they put their clients on the stand.In this case analysis with host Brendan Lupetin, Tom and Ben outline why those strategies and others worked. The jury awarded a total of $15 million in damages...
2024-12-0955 minJust VerdictsChance of Life Lost; Justice Found, with Rudy Massa and Devyn LisiCheryl Pschirer was a lifetime smoker, at the end of her working life, adult children, no surviving spouse. “So some of the facts were stacked against us,” recalls Rudy Massa. “We had to, in essence, try to make this case about something more than that, and that’s where the early detection and the lost chance of life comes in.” Rudy and Devyn Lisi took St. Clair Hospital providers to trial for their failure to inform Cheryl that an x-ray had detected a mass on her lung. She wouldn’t learn of the radiology report for seven months. Eight...
2024-11-231h 03Just VerdictsRadiologist Misread Image; Patient Blinded; Jury Awards $7.1 Million, with Dominic GuerriniDominic Guerrini of Kline & Specter discusses the $7.1 million verdict he recently secured for a young woman rendered legally blind after a radiologist misread a CT scan image. With host Brendan Lupetin, Dominic breaks down how he managed the case with multiple defendants, why he decided not call the defendant radiologist to testify, and how consultants prepped his client for testifying. Among other strategies, they had the 23-year-old woman write a letter to younger self to prepare herself for what eventually unfolded. Dominic read the letter at trial. “It was one of the most moving pieces of evidence that I ha...
2024-11-091h 05Just Verdicts$9.1 Million Verdict for Estate of Golf Pro Killed During Storm, with David KwassWhen David Kwass represented the estate of a golf pro who was killed during a fierce storm that swept through the Philmont Country Club, he faced at least three significant hurdles. Was Justin Riegel’s infant, born out of wedlock to Justin’s girlfriend, really his heir? Who was Justin’s employer? And was an “act of God” responsible for the storm?But the biggest question David faced was how could an 83-foot-tall, 36,000-pound tree – the tree that killed Justin when it toppled onto a cart storage building where he was sheltering during the storm – be both healthy and ha...
2024-10-231h 06Just Verdicts$1.5M Verdict in Challenging Nursing Home Death Case with Reza DavaniDespite challenges including an absent plaintiff, an expert witness’ last-minute withdrawal, and a death certificate identifying Covid as the cause of death, Reza Davani secured a $1.5 million verdict for pain and suffering. In this conversation with host Brendan Lupetin, Reza shares how he exposed the nursing home’s negligence that led to the death of a patient – not from Covid, but rather from staff’s failure to properly turn the patient in his bed, which caused pressure wounds. Reza discusses how he centered his strategic opening and closing on principles of right and wrong and how he trusted the jury to...
2024-10-0952 minJust Verdicts“Invisible injuries” lead to $15 million verdict, with Dan PurtellAlmost 6,000 pounds of copper wire falls on a railroad electrician, causing debilitating personal injuries. Defendant Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority admits liability. The catch? The injuries aren’t clearly visible, and the defense leans into this. How does the plaintiff’s lawyer convey the catastrophic extent of the injuries to the jury and go on to win a $15 million verdict?In this episode of Just Verdicts, Daniel Purtell, founding partner of McEldrew Purtell, tells host Brendan Lupetin how he did just that, using the defense’s strategy against it to prevail.Tune in as Brendan and Daniel...
2024-09-2356 minJust VerdictsJury Awards $21 Million in Civil Rights Case, with Noah Geary“Come and get me! Come and get me!” That’s what the 34-year-old man suffering from a mental health breakdown told state troopers responding to his family’s call for help.At least that’s what one of the troopers testified during cross-examination in federal court. Attorney Noah Geary brought civil rights claims against the trooper, arguing that he used excessive force when he fatally shot Anthony Gallo during that tragic encounter in 2017. In this unique episode of Just Verdicts, Noah and host Brendan Lupetin dramatically re-enact the exchange between Noah and the trooper, Chad Weaver.
2024-09-091h 13Just VerdictsExposing ExxonMobil and Winning $725.5 Million, with Andrew DuPontGasoline is refined from crude oil that contains benzene, a known carcinogen, but oil companies have long considered removing benzene from the gasoline manufacturing process a “dollars-and-cents” decision. Jurors considering whether ExxonMobil’s gasoline caused a Pennsylvania man’s leukemia made this decision: $725.5 million for the plaintiff.Andrew DuPont, partner at Locks Law Firm, won that verdict by framing his argument as ExxonMobil’s failure to warn consumers about benzene’s health hazards, even though its dangers were known by the time his client was using gasoline as a solvent to clean automotive parts in the 1970s. Breaking dow...
2024-08-2356 minJust Verdicts$7 Million Verdict for Misdiagnosis with Richard Godshall and Christine ClarkeAn inexperienced physician’s assistant misdiagnosed Richard Godshall and Christine Clarke’s client. But when they tried the case, they took it in an opposite direction than many would expect: not from the incident up, but from the top down.In the end, the Clarion County jury awarded their client $7 million. In this conversation with host Brendan Lupetin, Richard, owner and managing partner of Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, and Christine, partner and head of the firm’s medical malpractice division, reveal the “secret sauce” to winning that verdict. Tune in to hear how they proved that their...
2024-08-0957 minJust Verdicts$1.4M Med-Mal Verdict on Arm Fracture Case with Sandra NeumanPeople go to hospitals to have their injuries treated. Unfortunately, however, sometimes patients are injured through the hospital’s negligence.On this episode of Just Verdicts, host Brendan Lupetin is joined by Pittsburgh med-mal attorney Sandra Neuman of Sandra Neuman Law to discuss a $1.4 million verdict she recently secured for an injured client. Listen as Sandy breaks down the case, describes what she did to show how the hospital violated its standard of care, and provides insight on how to establish non-economic damages without suggesting a number.Learn More and Connect☑️ Sandra Neuman | Linked...
2024-07-231h 05Just VerdictsWinning Massive Verdicts on Transvaginal Mesh Cases with Kila Baldwin“There's no glory in trying to make something out of nothing. Cases are won and lost on the facts. If you don't have a good case, you're not going to win that case 99.9 percent of the time.”In this episode of Just Verdicts, host Brendan Lupetin is joined by Kila Baldwin, shareholder at Anapol Weiss. Kila has been involved in a number of high-profile cases, including as lead counsel in trials that resulted in verdicts of $80 million, $57.1 million, and $41 million against Johnson & Johnson in transvaginal mesh cases.Tune in as Brendan and Kila discuss Kila’s expe...
2024-07-0951 minJust Verdicts“Off-Code” Strategy Nets $1.3 Million Non-Economic Verdict in Slip-and-Fall Case with Scott PerlmuterSlip-and-fall cases benefit from being “off code”–dialing down aggression and slowing things down. Especially when there’s no clear evidence of a premises violation, building credibility (yours and your client’s) is the best way to proceed. In this episode of Just Verdicts, host Brendan Lupetin is joined by slip-and-fall attorney Scott Perlmuter of Tittle & Perlmuter to break down how Scott (and trial attorney Katie Harris) recently won a $1.3 million all non-economic damages verdict on a slip-and-fall premises liability case–despite no evidence of a clear violation. Tune in as Brendan and Scott discuss the importance...
2024-06-231h 01Just Verdicts$2.5M Verdict on Two Shoulder Surgeries: Motivating the Jury with Clancy Boylan“Another one for the books.” How do you get a $2.5M verdict on two shoulder surgeries? It comes down to telling a compelling story to motivate the jury. In this episode of Just Verdicts, host Brendan Lupetin is joined by the show’s first returning guest, trial attorney Clancy Boylan of Morgan & Morgan. Tune is as Brendan and Clancy break down Clancy’s recent trucking case including, how he turned down a settlement offer more than double the medicals, the question he asked the defendant’s corporate designee which froze the witness into silence, how he structure...
2024-06-0954 minJust VerdictsNear $1B Verdict on Defective Seat Belt Case in Philadelphia with Wesley BallA product intended to ensure safety should not be the source of an injury. In 2023, veteran trial attorney Wesley Ball of Farrar & Ball LLP helped secure a verdict against a car manufacturer that put defective seat belts in their cars. In this episode of Just Verdicts, Wes tells host Brendan Lupetin how he prevailed on behalf of a client whose devastating injuries caused by a defective seat belt left him a quadriplegic. Wes recalls how focus groups helped him prepare his trial strategy, the process of picking a Philadelphia jury, and the challenges of anchoring a case f...
2024-05-231h 03Just VerdictsFailure to Diagnose Leads to $19.7 Million Verdict in Pennsylvania with Tom BosworthFighting for what is right can be difficult. But that fight is worth it when justice is done.In this episode of Just Verdicts, host Brendan Lupetin is joined by Philadelphia injury attorney Tom Bosworth to discuss the case of Diane Melendez, whose undiagnosed condition caused her to experience extreme pain and lose her job. Tom recalls impeaching Ms. Melendez’s primary care physician, attacking the credibility of defense witnesses, and showing the jury how the defendants’ bad behavior had far-reaching ramifications on Ms. Melendez’s health.Tune in to hear how Tom’s fight for just...
2024-05-091h 03Just Verdicts$1M Verdict in Pennsylvania’s Fayette County With Tom Crenney and James TallmanIn Pennsylvania, plaintiff lawyers call Fayette County “Fayette-Nam.” They say jurors are anti-establishment. They say it’s one of the toughest counties in the Commonwealth. They say job one is to get their case out of Fayette County. James Tallman and Tom Crenney tried their med mal case in Fayette County. They won. In this episode of Just Verdicts, James and Tom tell host Brendan Lupetin how they prevailed on behalf of the family of a 35-year-old woman who died after what should have been a routine gallbladder surgery. They recall jitters, such as when their ex...
2024-04-2355 minJust VerdictsHow to Find Your Flaws Before the Jury Does With Trial Consultant Mark SchultzMark Schultz has regularly utilized focus groups for over 35 years and has become a firm believer in their necessity as part of the discovery and trial preparation process.On this episode of Just Verdicts, host and med mal litigator Brendan Lupetin, is joined by Attorney Mark Schultz, founder of Keystone Focus Trial Consulting. After four decades of law practice, Mark began a trial consulting practice, organizing and conducting focus groups for lawyers, and providing strategic input in both discovery and trial preparation.Mark reveals what sparked his interest in focus groups, shares pro-tips for formatting...
2024-04-0948 minJust VerdictsNo Apologies: A Deep Dive Into a $26 Million Trucking Verdict with Clancy BoylanWe’ve heard for a while now that the “piss-off factor”–getting the jury angry, is probably the single biggest factor in driving verdicts in most cases. But what is the biggest driver of the “piss-off factor”? Defendant’s refusal to accept responsibility when there’s clear liability. On this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), host and med mal litigator Brendan Lupetin, is joined by trial lawyer Clancy Boylan, the managing partner of the New Jersey and Philadelphia offices of Morgan & Morgan. Clancy comes on the show to share the secrets to success that helped him and hi...
2024-03-2348 minJust VerdictsFrom Mundane Facts to a Shocking Verdict with Kelly Ciravolo and Jamie AnzaloneHow do you go from a $130k settlement offer to a $3M verdict on a case that was originally a garden variety slip-and-fall-hip-fracture-in-a-nursing-home case? On this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), host and med mal litigator Brendan Lupetin, is joined by personal injury attorneys Kelly Ciravolo and Jamie Anzalone of Anzalone & Doyle Trial Lawyers. Kelly and Jamie discuss the strategies and tactics they used to turn mundane facts into a $3M verdict against a nursing home group ($2.7M of which was for punitive damages).Tune in to hear Kelly and Jamie talk a...
2024-03-091h 14Just VerdictsFocus Groups, Big Data, and How to Look for the System Failure in Your Med Mal Case with Ben GideonThe best trial lawyers are the ones who can spot the big picture and then figure out a strategy to use that to tip the case to their side.On this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), Brendan Lupetin interviews Ben Gideon, a med mal trial attorney from Maine who is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates and co-host of Elawvate, a podcast for trial lawyers. Tune in as Ben shares an interesting way to frame an individual doctor case as a system failure, how to overcome confirmation bias in your c...
2024-02-231h 00Just VerdictsA Trailblazing Victory in Rural Pennsylvania: Victor Pribanic Explains his $3.25M VerdictWhile there are certain venues you’d like to avoid, if possible, you just can't control where your client was injured. Our clients deserve justice no matter where malpractice happened.On this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), Brendan Lupetin interviews Victor Pribanic, a trial lawyer at Pribanic & Pribanic in Western Pennsylvania. Victor shares how he and his associate, Sherie Cannin, won the first medical malpractice verdict in McKean County, the different hurdles they had to overcome, and the role that his client’s personality played in the trial. Victor also talks about his ph...
2024-02-0958 minJust VerdictsMediation Master Class: Advising Clients and Winning Negotiations with John NobleThere's nothing “alternative" about the mediation process anymore. Trials are the alternative because settlements and mediations far outweigh the cases that are being tried.In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigator Brendan Lupetin talks with John Noble, a prolific and highly sought-after mediator in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. John has done at least 250 mediations and arbitrations each year since about 2007. John is also a longtime trial attorney who has worked on both sides of the fence. Tune in to hear John share his experiences as a litigator and a med...
2024-01-231h 12Just VerdictsTactics For a $100 Million Verdict with Ryan McKeenBeing prepared for trial conveys the message that your case is important. So when you have a limited window of time to present your case to the jury, you better not wing it. On this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigator Brendan Lupetin interviews Ryan McKeen, the Co-founder and CEO of Connecticut Trial Firm, LLC. A first-generation lawyer, Ryan is the author of multiple personal injury books including, Tiger Tactics. He also mentors lawyers on how to be better firm owners through the Lawyerist. Additionally, Ryan is a nationally recognized speaker and a...
2024-01-0950 minJust VerdictsJohn Fisher – How to Create the Med Mal Law Firm of Your Dreams“Being good at what you do is enough to make you successful.” If only. If you want to build a thriving law practice in the modern legal marketplace, business and marketing chops are a must.Tune in as John Fisher provides a masterclass for young lawyers hungry to make (and keep) more money, develop a referral-based practice, and cultivate a valuable referral network.John is the owner and founder of The New York Injury and Malpractice Law Firm in Kingston, New York, where he specializes in the representation of catastrophically injured persons. He’s also the au...
2023-12-2358 minJust VerdictsJohn Perkosky’s $16 Million Birth Injury Verdict ExplainedHaving the facts on your side doesn’t always keep a case from going to trial. There are always arguments on the defense side, and even the strongest facts have to be presented effectively to get a good case result. In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin welcome Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania based trial lawyer, John Perkosky, to the show. The trio discuss the record setting $16 million jury verdict John obtained in a Pennsylvania medical malpractice wrongful death case, that resulted in the death of a baby in her...
2023-12-091h 28Just VerdictsSlip and Fall Trial Strategies that WorkA good trial lawyer, like a good storyteller, knows how to use narratives to connect with their audience. Often, the simplest stories are the most powerful. The challenge can be cutting out the extraneous details and focusing on what is strongest in a case. In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Maggie Cooney share their insights and successes in a recent slip and fall trial. They discuss effective discovery strategies, how to craft authentic testimony, establishing credibility for both the client and the legal team, and ways of s...
2023-11-231h 00Just VerdictsWork Your Case Up to Win at Trial – How We Do ItWhether you’ve tried dozens of cases or are preparing to try your very first case, establishing an effective trial preparation process is key to a successful outcome for you and your client. In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin discuss the process they go through every time they try a case. Beginning with establishing a trial team and creating a detailed checklist, they go on to discuss the role of organization, the advantage of having a trial support team, the importance of mental preparation, and how...
2023-11-0946 minJust VerdictsVirtual Focus Groups Explained – Part 2While it’s okay to look for positive feedback, don’t try to win the focus group. That’s a mistake. Instead you want that first presentation to be really tough so that you find all the problems, all the ways that the jury hates your case, hates you, hates your client, whatever it is. And then you can iterate, fix, repair, and patch. In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin discuss how virtual focus groups can be used to analyze different aspects of your case, identif...
2023-10-2356 minJust VerdictsVirtual Focus Groups Explained – Part 1Anybody can do a focus group. With the prevalence of virtual platforms nowadays, it is so much easier to do focus groups that there’s really no excuse not to. And it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, either. If you aren’t doing focus groups, you’re probably doing yourself, your case, and your client a disservice.In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin discuss the nuts and bolts of putting together, conducting, and using the knowledge from virtual focus groups. What’s an effec...
2023-10-0952 minJust Verdicts“System Failures” the Secret to Winning Medical Malpractice CasesIn a med mal case, it's easier for people to hold an entity responsible–like a hospital–and make them pay, rather than blaming an individual–like a doctor. Therefore, how you work up a med mal case matters. It’s the difference between working up a case that is easier to win versus a case that is harder to win. What kind of case do you want? In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), hosts Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin discuss the difference between a “system failure” case and an “event” case. The hosts explain the...
2023-09-2325 minJust Verdicts“Rules” for Winning Medical Malpractice TrialsMedical malpractice cases are complicated for the jury. You have to help them understand the medicine, the deviation, how the mistake was made, and why the mistake led to the harm. You have to try to simplify the case as much as possible.In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Greg Unatin and Brendan Lupetin discuss using the “reptile” in their medical malpractice cases, a “rule” approach to trial. They reflect on what has and hasn’t worked for them in the courtroom as well as their opinions on using one or multipl...
2023-09-0928 min
David vs. GoliathMedical Malpractice and Contingency Fee Business Litigation with Brendan LupetinNo one wonders how to get an attorney if they get into an auto accident, but when someone has a business contract issue and can’t afford to litigate, it can feel like the walls are closing in.In this episode of David v. Goliath, hosts Matt Dolman and Stan Gipe are joined by Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania litigator Brendan Lupetin. Brendan discusses his experiences in both medical malpractice and business litigation, going in depth on contingency fees in these types of cases as well as how to choose which cases to take. Brendan also recounts courtroom successes he ha...
2023-08-2544 minJust VerdictsMedical Malpractice Missteps – Lessons from a LossLearn from your losses. It’s the same for med mal trial attorneys as it is in life.In this episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin discuss a recent orthopedic medical malpractice case they took to verdict–a case they felt had real merit, but did not end up going their way. Brendan reflects on what he would have done differently, what he would have done the same, and why he feels the verdict was not in their client’s favor. Tune in to hear the lessons Brenda...
2023-08-231h 05Just VerdictsMild TBI Car Crash Jury Verdict Part 2“Trial is a battle of impression more than it is logic.” As a plaintiff’s attorney your job is to do a deep dive and understand the minutiae of the medicine–along with the specifics of the case, the claims, and the causation–so you can tell the story of the plaintiff in a language that the jury can understand.In part 2 of this 2-part episode series of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error), med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin outline their approach in trial during their recent concussion case victory. You’ll learn tips on how to be...
2023-08-091h 10Just VerdictsMild TBI Car Crash Jury Verdict Part 1Concussion cases can be difficult. The injury is invisible. The jury is skeptical. But there is a formula to success. Do you know it?Tune in to the debut episode of Just Verdicts (formerly Trial & Medical Error) as seasoned med mal litigators Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin share the tactics they used to win a favorable verdict in a recent concussion case. In this part 1 of a 2-part series, you’ll learn about the type of evidence that is crucial to get a strong verdict in this type of case, and more.Learn More and Co...
2023-07-2655 minJust VerdictsWelcome to Trial & Medical ErrorAre you a trial lawyer seeking a competitive edge in medical malpractice cases? This is the lawyer podcast for you. On Trial & Medical Error, we share novel insights and legal strategies to help you confidently tackle the most complicated cases.Hosted by Pennsylvania medical malpractice attorneys Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin, founders of Lupetin and Unatin, Attorneys at Law in Pittsburgh, this podcast delivers a wealth of knowledge derived from extensive experience in the courtroom. Every episode brings you closer to the heartbeat of medical malpractice law, offering unique insights into trial law strategies, in-depth analyses of...
2023-07-0700 min
Get in the Game Podcast from Jury AnalystJohn Gomez with Brendan Lupetin - Science backed virtual focus groups comparisonTrial Lawyers join the science group discussion and the post podcast results speak for themselves. As Brendan's case here resolved at $4.7m out of our predicted max of $4.3m!Send us a text
2021-02-111h 02Get in the Game Podcast from Jury AnalystJohn Gomez with Brendan Lupetin - Science backed virtual focus groups comparisonTrial Lawyers join the science group discussion and the post podcast results speak for themselves. As Brendan's case here resolved at $4.7m out of our predicted max of $4.3m!Send us a text
2021-02-111h 02
"The Jury Thinks What?" PodcastA Ten Million Dollar Medical Malpractice Verdict During the Pandemic w/ Brendan LupeGuest: Brendan Lupetin, Trial Lawyer from Meyers, Evans, Lupetin & Unatin, PIttsuburgh PA This is Part 2 of the Brendan Show! If you liked Part 1 where Brendan and Saul discussed how Brendan typically prepares his case for trial regarding themes and stories, you will love Part 2! Brendan will discuss his recent jury verdict of $10.83 million in a brain damage medical malpractice case. This trial took place in Pennsylvania during the COVID-19 pandemic. Brendan will discuss voir dire, how jury selection took place, the entire trial, and how he felt connecting with both the jury and his witnesses behind a...
2020-11-0950 min
"The Jury Thinks What?" PodcastTips on Preparing and Framing Your Case for Trial w/ Brendan LupetinGuest: Brendan Lupetin, Trial Lawyer from Meyers, Evans, Lupetin & Unatin, PIttsuburgh, PA Brendan is an outstanding trial lawyer and self proclaimed trial nerd! Brendan and Saul nerd out together on preparing for trial and determining themes and rules for trials. Brendan and Saul discuss all things trial including Focus Groups, Voir Dire, and what you need to do to frame your case to persuade jurors that your version is the only one. Brendan is so informative that we split this into two podcasts, look for part 2 discussing Brendan’s recent verdict in the COVID era, with his pa...
2020-10-2238 min
Case Autopsy: The Settlement and Verdict Podcast$10.8 Million Med Mal Verdict During COVID-19 w/ Brendan Lupetin & Greg UnatinJurors care. That’s patently obvious from a recent and righteous verdict obtained by medical malpractice trial attorneys Brendan Lupetin and Greg Unatin on behalf of a very deserving client. Despite the concerns many trial attorneys have about trying a case during COVID-19, Brendan and Greg went the distance and showed that despite the challenges we’re all facing, jurors can sit and listen to evidence, render a fair verdict, and hold medical providers responsible for reckless and negligent conduct even during a pandemic. Brendan and Greg break down the strategies they used in preparing for trial, as w...
2020-10-151h 11
Trial Lawyer Nation67 – Brendan Lupetin – Masked Justice: Part 1In this Trial Lawyer Nation podcast, Michael sits down with trial attorney Brendan Lupetin out of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Brendan, a self-proclaimed “trial nerd,” is one of just a handful of attorneys who has tried a case in the era of COVID-19, receiving a $10.8 million dollar jury verdict on his medical negligence case. They’ll discuss […]The post 67 – Brendan Lupetin – Masked Justice: Part 1 appeared first on Trial Lawyer Nation.
2020-10-011h 08