Courage. Trial lawyers have lots of important traits and skills, and courage is at the top of the list. To be able to speak confidently to the jury who holds your client’s case in its hands, to tell that story in a way that makes sense, to inspire and win the day — courage is what you have to have. When the venue or case is a really tough one, it’s being the one to raise your hand and say, “I’ll try that case.” When I read that quote from Roosevelt, it reminded me of great trial lawyers.

Welcome back to our yearly article, this one about what trial lawyers and their clients achieved in Arizona in 2014. The largest verdict of $30 million was in a case brought by the family of a college student who was killed during a car crash as police chased a suspect. Also among the highest Arizona verdicts were those involving an ex-husband who hired a hit man (twice) to kill his wife; a dispute between Arizona State University and fraternity-house owners over the value of a key parcel of land; northern Arizona residents who alleged they were denied utility services based on religious discrimination; and two different medical malpractice verdicts regarding leg injuries. Two of the largest verdicts were on counterclaims.

Originally published in Arizona Attorney - June 2015.