Susman Godfrey

Tell us about your biggest trial win from January 2018 through June 2019 and how you achieved the result for your client.

I was scheduled to try two lawsuits on two coasts back-to-back. In the widely-publicized Google/Waymo v. Uber trial, my strategy to strike Waymo's billion-dollar damages expert worked—and led Uber to a favorable settlement during trial. But, right before the Uber trial began, I was back in the [Southern District of New York] trying a $160 million breach-of-contract case for a GE subsidiary. After mock jury testing and brain-storming sessions, I concluded the key to winning was convincing the jury to focus less on the contract language and more on the post-contract course of dealing. This resulted in a full GE victory, and jury polling confirmed that my strategy to win this $160M case worked.

Share two trial tips that have been key to your success.

1) Marketing 101 is "Play to your audience." I spend a significant amount of time knowing my jury so that my case themes resonate with them.

2) I may not be the smartest lawyer in the room, but I am always the most prepared. A prepared lawyer has the advantage every time.