From the very beginning, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to develop a reputation for being more than willing to take a case to trial. I learned this from some great lawyers (including my dear friend and mentor, Clayton Undercofler): Prepare to the hilt. So I always looked at going to trial as an opportunity to place the fruits of our preparation in a vehicle for persuasion. Every case is about being willing to make the big commitment, about making the passionate defense.

We have great relationships with all the companies and institutions we represent. I work to try to cultivate confidence, in a case, and in a defense. There can be many, many professionals involved in the matters we handle – clear, consistent communication is essential.

No matter what, though, we are honest with our clients. If we are looking at negative reviews from experts on a case, we have to report that our position is more difficult to defend. The stakes are quite high -- just look at the size of some verdicts. When you lose a professional-liability case, you can really lose.

There is a perception that fewer jury trials are taking place. I have not seen much of a decline. Our trial attorneys are still selecting ten, sometimes 15, juries for trial each year.

Jurors everywhere are much more free-thinking and independent than a decade or two ago. There was more deference of the process. Now – partly because of what is seen on television – jurors see themselves as having certain rights. Trial attorneys – on both sides, really -- must be careful how to package their advocacy.

Our firm has enjoyed great growth. That we have made it this far I think is a tribute to our staff, especially our administrative and support staff. We are fortunate to have an extraordinary nucleus of people. Our people are business-savvy. And that is not an innate characteristic for most professional liability insurance defense attorneys – including me.

I love teaching the law. My law students are smart and eager. I always feel I am learning as much from them as they from me. That is exhilarating and very rewarding.