I recall our first $1 million verdict, more than 20 years ago. It involved a man driving down the Sawmill River Parkway. He was killed when his car rolled off the road in a heavy rainstorm. We proved that the car’s stabilizer bar was not properly assembled in the factory and not addressed by the dealer when the owner complained about poor handling. GM spent a fortune vigorously defending that case. The result made a huge difference in the lives of the victim’s children, one of whom was born after the accident. I recall telling the jury: “It is memory that brings us roses in December—this child will never know his father.”

In another case we obtained a $46.8 million verdict in Rockland County, which is still a record for verdicts outside the City of New York. I keep in touch with the family, who can now afford the best care and attention at a private group home for their brain-injured son. The actual recovery in that case resulted from waging a successful bad-faith action brought against the insurance carrier for the party that caused the accident.

Litigation is all about passion for the right cause. Faith in your ability and belief in the cause is essential. I recently obtained a large recovery for a young man who fell off a backyard trampoline – and was left a quadriplegic. As a result of that case, every manufacturer today offers a safety cage with the sale of its backyard trampoline.

Finally, I love courtrooms - and some are especially impressive. I often think, “What a Workshop”, I wish my father could see me now.