Mark Lanier, with Lanier Law Firm.

Tell us about your biggest client wins this year. The asbestos/talc ovarian cancer case in St. Louis against Johnson & Johnson was [the firm's] biggest win that year. Defended by the formidable Peter Bicks of Orrick, [this] was the first talc case to argue the asbestos in J&J talc caused ovarian cancer. [The firm] showed that J&J skewed testing to hide asbestos for decades. The jury awarded $4.7 billion. Subsequently, Reuters independently studied the evidence (documents and testimony) publishing its independent determination that J&J talc possesses asbestos, the report resulting in a double-digit drop in the stock price of J&J.

What's the best lesson you learned as a young lawyer? Do it! Don't wait. Don't delay. Just put your effort into whatever task is before you and get results!

What's been the most significant change in your practice area, and how have you adjusted? Hello internet! Hello email! Good-bye paper. Good-bye snail mail. Adjusting is hard, because now you can truly work 24/7.

Share an interesting fact about your firm that few know. We do both plaintiff and defense work! We handle every kind of case save criminal and family law.

Submitted by Mark Lanier, Lanier Law Firm owner.