Speakers listed in alphabetic order. Scroll to navigate.
Drew Ashby, Ashby|Thelen|Lowry, Marietta, GA
Drew Ashby is a trial lawyer specializing in catastrophic personal injury, defective products, and chemical exposures. He has litigated these issues in 15 states. Drew is one of the only trial lawyers in the country to have secured a seven-figure verdict, eight-figure verdict, and nine-figure verdict, all before the age of 40. He holds the record verdict in two Georgia counties (both of which are rural, conservative counties), the largest pain and suffering verdict in Georgia history, and the largest punitive damages award in an injury case in Georgia history. He holds the 7th largest premises liability verdict in the Southeast in 2019, the 8th largest vehicle crash verdict in the Southeast in 2020, and the third largest verdict of any kind in the Southeast in 2021. To date, product manufacturers have issued four separate nationwide recalls as a result of his work in cases; most of which were issued in almost unprecedented fashion – in the middle of litigation.
Paul Byrd, Paul Byrd Law Firm, PLLC, Little Rock, AR
Paul Byrd has been representing deserving injured victims for 30 years. After clerking for a trial court, Paul went into private practice in 1988. Paul's practice has focused on civil litigation with an emphasis on representing consumers in product liability actions and personal injury cases. He is a Past Chair of the AAJ Product Liability Section and on the Board of Governors of AAJ. He has spoken on “How to Talk to Conservatives” all over the United States and has a current video on the topic published by Trial Guides.
In November of 2000, he was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal due to his work in the case of Brownlee/Whitaker vs. Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. He also appeared in a Dateline NBC documentary regarding the same case in January of 2001.
Paul has also represented farmers in agricultural litigation regarding genetically modified crop contamination that had global as well as national and local implications. He works on products failure cases, tractor-trailer truck crashes, industrial injuries and automobile crashes.
Paul is a past President of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. His message to his fellow members as President was "You went to law school to make a difference!".
In 2012, Paul was a co-recipient of the Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association.
He is the managing member of the Little Rock, Arkansas office of Paul Byrd Law Firm, PLLC.
He has an "AV" rating in the Martindale-Hubble Legal Directory, has been recognized by the Mid-South Super Lawyers, and is also a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Affiliations: Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, St. Thomas More Society
In November of 2000, he was featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal due to his work in the case of Brownlee/Whitaker vs. Cooper Tire and Rubber Company. He also appeared in a Dateline NBC documentary regarding the same case in January of 2001.
Paul has also represented farmers in agricultural litigation regarding genetically modified crop contamination that had global as well as national and local implications. He works on products failure cases, tractor-trailer truck crashes, industrial injuries and automobile crashes.
Paul is a past President of the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association. His message to his fellow members as President was "You went to law school to make a difference!".
In 2012, Paul was a co-recipient of the Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association.
He is the managing member of the Little Rock, Arkansas office of Paul Byrd Law Firm, PLLC.
He has an "AV" rating in the Martindale-Hubble Legal Directory, has been recognized by the Mid-South Super Lawyers, and is also a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
Affiliations: Arkansas Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, American Bar Association, Arkansas Bar Association, Pulaski County Bar Association, St. Thomas More Society
Meg Christensen, Dentons Bingham Greenbaum LLP, Indianapolis, IN
Meg leads Denton Bingham Greenebaum’s largest office as Office Managing Partner, while also serving as Co-Chair of the Firm’s Professional Responsibility Committee and Lateral Hiring Chair of the Firm’s Recruiting Committee.
Meg concentrates her full-time legal practice on three main areas of law: lawyer ethics, appeals and business litigation.
Her focus includes:
Ethics – Meg has represented lawyers in all stages of the disciplinary process pending before the Indiana Supreme Court. Additionally, she has represented other professionals in front of various state licensing boards, and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.
Appellate – Meg brings a fresh perspective to identifying and analyzing issues on appeal. Meg’s experience includes representing clients in the appellate phase of complex business disputes, contract and insurance coverage disputes, and shareholder liability.
Business Litigation – Meg assists clients in litigation in both state and federal courts in claims involving multi-million dollar contract disputes, shareholder liability, enforcement of employee restrictive covenants, inter-governmental disputes, unfair competition claims, dissolutions, administrative enforcement and licensing. She is experienced in media law issues including defamation defense, reputation management,
and social media harms. Meg also represents the media in pursuing access to public records and enforcing open door laws.
Meg’s clients are primarily concerned about the impact their legal disputes will have on their business or
personal lives. Recognizing that litigation introduces uncertainty into her client’s plans, Meg prides herself in
clearly communicating with clients about the practical effect of various strategies. Meg’s goal is to help busy
clients focus on what they do best while she works to present their strongest arguments in pursuit of the best
possible result.
Between the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA), the Indianapolis Bar Association (IBA), the Indiana
Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF) and Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL),
Meg presents on ethics at over a dozen continuing legal education seminars each year. As part of ISBA’s
Ethics Committee, she considers and issues advisory opinions, recommends rule changes and facilitates
lawyer education events. Meg is an active member of the APRL and devotes her time to researching trends
in disciplinary enforcement and lawyer ethics.
In her free time, Meg enjoys cooking, hosting dinner parties, and attending yoga or barre class. She’s an avid
NPR listener, loves old homes and house rehabs and attending camp with her two children. She has a vested
interest in voting advocacy and once served as a member of the United Nations Election Protection
Delegation, monitoring the polls in El Salvador’s National Election.
Meg concentrates her full-time legal practice on three main areas of law: lawyer ethics, appeals and business litigation.
Her focus includes:
Ethics – Meg has represented lawyers in all stages of the disciplinary process pending before the Indiana Supreme Court. Additionally, she has represented other professionals in front of various state licensing boards, and the IRS Office of Professional Responsibility.
Appellate – Meg brings a fresh perspective to identifying and analyzing issues on appeal. Meg’s experience includes representing clients in the appellate phase of complex business disputes, contract and insurance coverage disputes, and shareholder liability.
Business Litigation – Meg assists clients in litigation in both state and federal courts in claims involving multi-million dollar contract disputes, shareholder liability, enforcement of employee restrictive covenants, inter-governmental disputes, unfair competition claims, dissolutions, administrative enforcement and licensing. She is experienced in media law issues including defamation defense, reputation management,
and social media harms. Meg also represents the media in pursuing access to public records and enforcing open door laws.
Meg’s clients are primarily concerned about the impact their legal disputes will have on their business or
personal lives. Recognizing that litigation introduces uncertainty into her client’s plans, Meg prides herself in
clearly communicating with clients about the practical effect of various strategies. Meg’s goal is to help busy
clients focus on what they do best while she works to present their strongest arguments in pursuit of the best
possible result.
Between the Indiana State Bar Association (ISBA), the Indianapolis Bar Association (IBA), the Indiana
Continuing Legal Education Forum (ICLEF) and Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL),
Meg presents on ethics at over a dozen continuing legal education seminars each year. As part of ISBA’s
Ethics Committee, she considers and issues advisory opinions, recommends rule changes and facilitates
lawyer education events. Meg is an active member of the APRL and devotes her time to researching trends
in disciplinary enforcement and lawyer ethics.
In her free time, Meg enjoys cooking, hosting dinner parties, and attending yoga or barre class. She’s an avid
NPR listener, loves old homes and house rehabs and attending camp with her two children. She has a vested
interest in voting advocacy and once served as a member of the United Nations Election Protection
Delegation, monitoring the polls in El Salvador’s National Election.
Michael Cowen, Cowen Rodriguez Peacock, San Antonio, TX
Michael Cowen is a trial lawyer with a nationwide practice. He has over 120 jury trials and has handled over 1,000 trucking and company vehicle cases. Michael is board certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and in personal injury trial law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Michael also hosts Trial Lawyer Nation, one of the leading podcasts for plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Michael also hosts Trial Lawyer Nation, one of the leading podcasts for plaintiffs’ attorneys.
Sean Domnick, Domnick Cunningham & Whalen, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Sean C. Domnick is an experienced civil trial lawyer and shareholder
in the law firm of Domnick Cunningham & Whalen. He has a statewide and national practice devoted solely to trial work with a practice dedicated to seeking justice for clients who have suffered catastrophic injury. His areas of specialization include litigating cases involving wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability and nursing home abuse.
Mr. Domnick has tried cases throughout the country and recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts for his clients. In 2014, he obtained a $20M jury verdict returned in favor of his client, Darian Wisekal, who died of cervical cancer due to a medical misdiagnosis in which the lab failed to accurately read her pap smear results. His record of results has earned him #1 ranking on the Jury Verdict Round-Up “Top Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2014” and the Daily Business Review “Verdicts Hall of Fame” Award in 2015.
Mr. Domnick has earned Florida Bar Board Certification, which is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar for competency and experience within civil trial law. His considerable jury trial experience and demonstrated knowledge of the law have resulted in several high-profile cases that attracted local, state and national attention. His legal accolades include recognition as Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation, an award given to one lawyer in each discipline and geography with the highest
overall peer-feedback. He has also been named to the Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers® list numerous times and as one of the top 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers by Lawdragon.
He is also the 2015 recipient of the BJ Masterson Award, an award distinguishing attorneys who display the highest degree of ethical professionalism. Mr. Domnick serves as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, two prestigious and highly selective organizations that are only accessible to distinguished members of the trial bar.
In addition to his professional success, Mr. Domnick has a record of leadership born from his commitment to professional service. He currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice and as Past President of the Palm Beach County Justice Association. He has served on the Board of the Florida Justice Association since 1996 and is Past President of the Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Domnick received both his Juris Doctorate and undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.
in the law firm of Domnick Cunningham & Whalen. He has a statewide and national practice devoted solely to trial work with a practice dedicated to seeking justice for clients who have suffered catastrophic injury. His areas of specialization include litigating cases involving wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability and nursing home abuse.
Mr. Domnick has tried cases throughout the country and recovered multi-million-dollar verdicts for his clients. In 2014, he obtained a $20M jury verdict returned in favor of his client, Darian Wisekal, who died of cervical cancer due to a medical misdiagnosis in which the lab failed to accurately read her pap smear results. His record of results has earned him #1 ranking on the Jury Verdict Round-Up “Top Medical Malpractice Verdicts of 2014” and the Daily Business Review “Verdicts Hall of Fame” Award in 2015.
Mr. Domnick has earned Florida Bar Board Certification, which is the highest level of recognition by the Florida Bar for competency and experience within civil trial law. His considerable jury trial experience and demonstrated knowledge of the law have resulted in several high-profile cases that attracted local, state and national attention. His legal accolades include recognition as Best Lawyers® “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury Litigation, an award given to one lawyer in each discipline and geography with the highest
overall peer-feedback. He has also been named to the Top 100 Florida Super Lawyers® list numerous times and as one of the top 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers by Lawdragon.
He is also the 2015 recipient of the BJ Masterson Award, an award distinguishing attorneys who display the highest degree of ethical professionalism. Mr. Domnick serves as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, two prestigious and highly selective organizations that are only accessible to distinguished members of the trial bar.
In addition to his professional success, Mr. Domnick has a record of leadership born from his commitment to professional service. He currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice and as Past President of the Palm Beach County Justice Association. He has served on the Board of the Florida Justice Association since 1996 and is Past President of the Miami Dade Trial Lawyers Association.
Mr. Domnick received both his Juris Doctorate and undergraduate degree from the University of Florida.
Eric Fong, Fong Law, Port Orchard, WA
Decades of experience, over 100 cases tried to a jury with monumental failures and success, Eric uniquely tries civil and criminal cases with equal passion and sophistication. Landmark cases include the creation of the constitutional right to Intimate Association (Eric protected the rights of low-income housing residents against oppressive “crime control” measures) and his historic $91,000,000 verdict is the largest compensatory damages verdict for one person in Washington State. His representation of George Clinton, the iconic funk musician/artist, is the definitive copyright case in American jurisprudence.
Eric’s passion is to create and move juries in the courtroom, seek out truth, and deliver justice. A teacher of over 16 years at the Trial Lawyers College and a student there for 21, Eric is committed to the grace of continued learning. Eric’s deep friendships and mentors, Gerry Spence, Paul Luvera, Rick Friedman, Nick Rowley and Bill Barton, gift reciprocity of thought and offer tapestries of insights that inspire and guide him every day.
Eric’s passion is to create and move juries in the courtroom, seek out truth, and deliver justice. A teacher of over 16 years at the Trial Lawyers College and a student there for 21, Eric is committed to the grace of continued learning. Eric’s deep friendships and mentors, Gerry Spence, Paul Luvera, Rick Friedman, Nick Rowley and Bill Barton, gift reciprocity of thought and offer tapestries of insights that inspire and guide him every day.
Steven Gursten, Michigan Auto Law, Farmington Hills, MI
Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has been selected a Michigan Lawyer of the Year and has been voted consistently among the top 50 attorneys in Michigan (out of over 65,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers.
Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Distracted Driving Litigation Group. He is a past-President of the Belli Society, the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, the AAJ Truck Accident Litigation Group, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been selected annually since 2018 as a JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award winner – Top Author in the Insurance category for his writing on Michigan’s auto No-Fault laws and insurance litigation. Steven Gursten speaks throughout the country every year, teaching lawyers on such subjects as trial advocacy, traumatic brain injury, truck accident litigation, and on maximizing auto accident settlements.
Auto accident attorney Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has recovered the largest ever auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. He has also received the top reported auto accident and truck accident settlements and jury verdicts in Michigan over multiple years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Verdict Reporter.
Steven Gursten is the current President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) Distracted Driving Litigation Group. He is a past-President of the Belli Society, the AAJ Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation Group, the AAJ Truck Accident Litigation Group, and the Motor Vehicle Trial Lawyers Association. He has also been selected annually since 2018 as a JD Supra Readers’ Choice Award winner – Top Author in the Insurance category for his writing on Michigan’s auto No-Fault laws and insurance litigation. Steven Gursten speaks throughout the country every year, teaching lawyers on such subjects as trial advocacy, traumatic brain injury, truck accident litigation, and on maximizing auto accident settlements.
Auto accident attorney Steven Gursten of Michigan Auto Law has recovered the largest ever auto and truck accident settlement of any Michigan lawyer or law firm. He has also received the top reported auto accident and truck accident settlements and jury verdicts in Michigan over multiple years, according to Michigan Lawyers Weekly and Verdict Reporter.
David Kirby, Edwards Kirby, Raleigh, NC
David F. Kirby is a partner at Edwards Kirby and limits his practice to catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of North Carolina (B.A. – History, 1973, J.D. – Law, 1977).
David was selected one of eight “Lawyers of the Year” nationally in 1996 by Lawyers Weekly USA. He received the national public service award by the American Trial Lawyers Association in 1997, the Stephen J. Sharp Public Service Award, for his work in promoting public safety.
He is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of the top 100 personal injury lawyers in America, a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a fellow in the International Society of Barristers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
He has been named to Best Lawyers in America, North Carolina Super Lawyers and Top 10 lawyers in North Carolina, Lawdragon – 500 leading litigators in the nation and to Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite.
David has served on the board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina and currently serves on the University of North Carolina School of Law Capital Campaign and Development Committees. He was inducted as a lifetime member of the William Horn Battle Society for his contributions and support of the UNC School of Law.
David was recognized by Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy as “2005 Philanthropist of the Year” for support of programs for children suffering from cerebral palsy.
David is married to Lyn Kirby and has three children, Emily, counsel for the Governor of North Carolina, James, a computer analyst, and Winston, who practices in his firm. David has four grandsons.
David was selected one of eight “Lawyers of the Year” nationally in 1996 by Lawyers Weekly USA. He received the national public service award by the American Trial Lawyers Association in 1997, the Stephen J. Sharp Public Service Award, for his work in promoting public safety.
He is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates, a group of the top 100 personal injury lawyers in America, a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, a fellow in the International Society of Barristers, and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
He has been named to Best Lawyers in America, North Carolina Super Lawyers and Top 10 lawyers in North Carolina, Lawdragon – 500 leading litigators in the nation and to Business North Carolina magazine’s Legal Elite.
David has served on the board of Visitors for the University of North Carolina and currently serves on the University of North Carolina School of Law Capital Campaign and Development Committees. He was inducted as a lifetime member of the William Horn Battle Society for his contributions and support of the UNC School of Law.
David was recognized by Easter Seals/United Cerebral Palsy as “2005 Philanthropist of the Year” for support of programs for children suffering from cerebral palsy.
David is married to Lyn Kirby and has three children, Emily, counsel for the Governor of North Carolina, James, a computer analyst, and Winston, who practices in his firm. David has four grandsons.
Steven Langer, Langer & Langer, Valparaiso, IN
Steven L. Langer with the law firm of Langer & Langer, now in his 42nd year of practice, concentrates on plaintiff’s medical malpractice law and complex litigation. Mr. Langer is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a past President of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Langer is a past President of the College of Fellows of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association.
Patrick Malone, Patrick Malone & Associates, Washington, DC
Patrick Malone is a leading trial lawyer, author and teacher of effective persuasion skills, based in Washington, D.C. Malone learned how to ask questions and get answers as an award-winning investigative journalist. Now he works on behalf of seriously injured people in lawsuits against hospitals, doctors, drug companies, government agencies, and other defendants. Over the last three decades, he has won a long string of exceptional results for his clients. Malone has written several books on effective advocacy. His latest: The Fearless Cross-Examiner: Win the Witness, Win the Case. In 2018-2019, Malone served as president of the Pound Civil Justice Institute, the national “think tank” of the plaintiffs’ bar which promotes the civil justice system and trial by jury. Patrick Malone is a graduate of Yale Law School and is a member of the Inner Circle of Advocates and a fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, both invitation-only organizations of leading trial lawyers. Malone is a member of the American Law Institute. Malone and his staff work out of offices in Washington, D.C. a few blocks north of the White House, and they represent clients throughout Maryland, Virginia and DC..
Elise Sanguinetti, Arias Sanguinetti Wang & Torrijos, LLP, Emeryville, CA
Bio coming soon!
Roy Tabor, Tabor Law Firm, LLP, Indianapolis, IN
Bio coming soon!
Andy Young, The Law Firm for Truck Safety, LLP, Cleveland, OH
Andy Young is the Managing Partner of the Cleveland office of The Law Firm for Truck Safety, LLP. His law firm exclusively represents the victims and survivors of commercial motor vehicle crashes. He was also the lead trial attorney for two brain-injured teenagers resulting in a trial verdict of $42.4 Million.
Andy was appointed by the United States Secretary of Transportation to serve on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). He has testified before committees in the U.S. Congress, the Ohio Senate, and the Ohio House of Representatives on trucking safety issues. He was invited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and two safety advocacy groups to help organize and act as a moderator for two industry-related Truck Underride Roundtables. He also serves on the Vision Zero Taskforce for the City of Cleveland, Ohio.
Andy is frequently a guest faculty member teaching CDL candidates at the Great Lakes Truck Driving School. He holds an active Class A Commercial Driver’s License and owns and drives his own Peterbilt semi-tractor and 45-foot car-hauler trailer.
Andy is Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is the founding Chair of the Ohio Association for Justice’s Truck Safety Section. He is an elected officer of both the American Association for Justice’s Trucking Litigation Group and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Andy is a past President and a past “Member of the Year” award recipient of the Lorain County Bar Association. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Andy consults with attorneys throughout the nation on truck law and trial strategy.
Andy was appointed by the United States Secretary of Transportation to serve on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Motor Carrier Safety Advisory Committee (MCSAC). He has testified before committees in the U.S. Congress, the Ohio Senate, and the Ohio House of Representatives on trucking safety issues. He was invited by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and two safety advocacy groups to help organize and act as a moderator for two industry-related Truck Underride Roundtables. He also serves on the Vision Zero Taskforce for the City of Cleveland, Ohio.
Andy is frequently a guest faculty member teaching CDL candidates at the Great Lakes Truck Driving School. He holds an active Class A Commercial Driver’s License and owns and drives his own Peterbilt semi-tractor and 45-foot car-hauler trailer.
Andy is Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. He is the founding Chair of the Ohio Association for Justice’s Truck Safety Section. He is an elected officer of both the American Association for Justice’s Trucking Litigation Group and the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Andy is a past President and a past “Member of the Year” award recipient of the Lorain County Bar Association. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell and is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Andy consults with attorneys throughout the nation on truck law and trial strategy.