Keker, Van Nest & Peters

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

In 2019, I tried and won a $150 million class action brought by 700,000 California plaintiffs against my client, Public Storage. The plaintiffs claimed Public Storage deceived tenants when offering them the option of purchasing insurance for their self-stored goods. After a one-week trial, we won a total defense verdict. I credit our success to the fact that we have been thinking about trial since the day we responded to the complaint four years ago. All of our discovery, depositions, and strategic motions were designed to whittle the case down to one that could be tried and won.

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

1) Diversity of voices: Our trial team was 100% women and lawyers of color, and our expert and witnesses were also diverse. Every lawyer and witness had a significant role at trial.

2) Efficiency: Decide what testimony and documents are essential for you to win, and rely on those alone. There is no need to waste time with weak, duplicative or inferior evidence