The Great Trials Podcast

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey are joined by renowned trial and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn.   They discuss a variety of topics ranging from Hirschhorn's journey into the field, insights into high-profile cases, and practical tips for selecting juries in complex trials. Robert shares stories from notable cases, including a landmark verdict in Cox vs. the State of Washington and strategies that led to a $440 million verdict in Grantham vs. Stewart Petroleum Testers.   He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between liability and damages juries and introduces Verdict Hub, a new AI-driven tool for trial preparation.   GUEST BIO: Robert Hirschhorn of Cathy E. Bennett & Associates, Inc., is an attorney and a nationally recognized expert in jury and trial consultation. A jury consultant since 1985, Robert has selected juries that have returned tens of billions of dollars in verdicts. Jury verdicts since 2018 include: 1. $2.065 Billion awarded by a Georgia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2025)2. $109.5 Million for severe burns due to a house explosion. (2025)3. $60 Million Verdict against Mead Johnson in the first Enfamil Baby Formula case. (2024)4. $2.25 Billion awarded by a Philadelphia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2024)5. $175 Million awarded by a Philadelphia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2023) Robert has also authored four books and several articles for Law360, Texas Lawyer, and AAJ. He has appeared on Good Morning America, MSNBC, Court TV, CNN, HLN, Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, Nightline, and many national radio programs. He lectures nationwide to lawyers and judges on the art of jury selection. TAP HERE TO READ MORE   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Cathy E. Bennett & Associates, Inc. VerdictHub   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2  

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey welcome guest Eric Fong to discuss a significant case involving Jessica Hilton versus the Washington Department of Corrections and Child Protective Services.   CASE SUMMARY:  **TRIGGER WARNING** The case in focus deals with severe instances of sexual abuse, specifically involving Jessica Hilton and multiple failures of state agencies to protect her and her siblings.    ERIC FONG BIO: Eric has obtained the two largest general damages jury verdicts for one person in Washington state history; $91,000,000 for a premise liability matter that resulted in a TBI and $42,000,000 for the governmental neglect of a child that resulted in abuse and PTSD.  Eric began his career as a public defender, dedicating 11 years advocating for those in need — work he remains most proud of to this day. With nearly three decades of trial experience, Eric has tried over 100 cases to verdict and has received state and national trial lawyer of the year awards. In addition to his legal practice, Eric loves teaching and has been an instructor of the Gerry Spence Method for over 20 years.  Eric loves working with his wife on their cut flower farm, hiking and fishing. (READ MORE)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: FONG LAW   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2  

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry interviews John Rushing, a prominent trial lawyer and partner at Rushing McCarl, LLP. The discussion delves into a significant business dispute case, Virgin Scent Inc. dba ArtNaturals vs. BT Supplies West Inc., tried in federal court in Los Angeles in November 2022.   CASE SUMMARY:  Rushing McCarl LLP secured a $17.8 million jury verdict on behalf of cosmetics manufacturer Virgin Scent, Inc. dba Artnaturals. The jury found that defendant BT Supplies Inc. had breached contracts to buy millions of hand sanitizer bottles and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. BT Supplies was represented by Nixon Peabody LLP, an Am Law 100 firm. (READ MORE)   JOHN RUSHING BIO: John Rushing is a premier trial attorney and oral advocate who, as the leader of Rushing McCarl’s trial team, has secured multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in several state and federal jury trials since co-founding the firm in 2020. These victories included wins in contract and partnership disputes brought for California businesses, including a unanimous $17.8 million jury verdict won for a large manufacturer. Mr. Rushing was named to Super Lawyers in 2025. (READ MORE)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Rushing McCarl LLP on LinkedIn Rushing McCarl LLP on YouTube Rushing McCarl on X Rushing McCarl LLP on Facebook   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2  

In this 200th EPISODE of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry hosts a detailed discussion with Randy Jordan, an experienced trial lawyer from HunterMaclean in coastal Georgia. The focus is on the complex case of Poppell v. Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation, and Smith Corporation, which involved 21 plaintiffs and highlighted the opioid crisis.   CASE SUMMARY:  In the case of Poppell, et al, vs McKesson, et al, twenty-one plaintiffs sued three wholesale medicine and medical supply distributors, including McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health, and J.M. Smith. Under Georgia’s Drug Dealer Liability Act, the plaintiffs claimed that the three companies acted as illegal drug dealers in filling orders for opioid medications placed by pharmacies and hospitals in Coastal Georgia. The plaintiffs, mostly children of the addicts, claimed extensive mental and psychological damage resulting from their parents’ addictions. (READ MORE)   RANDY JORDAN: He is a uniquely experienced trial attorney, having tried well over one hundredjury cases in state and federal courts across the country. For over thirty years,Randy has defended some of America’s largest railroads in a wide array ofbusiness and tort matters, including the defense of hundreds of asbestosand other toxic exposure claims. In recent years, Randy has served as leadtrial counsel for a major medical supply and distribution company in its opioidlitigation. Randy frequently appears in state and federal appellate courtsthroughout the Southeast and is a frequent speaker on issues relating to thetransportation industry. (READ FULL BIO)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: HunterMaclean on X HunterMaclean on LinkedIn HunterMaclean on Facebook HunterMaclean on YouTube HunterMaclean Online   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey welcome two remarkable guests, trial lawyer Nick Liakas and jury consultant Jessica Brylo. They dive deep into the fascinating case of Maruf Hossain vs. the New York City Transit Authority, resulting in a $22,750,000 verdict.   CASE SUMMARY:  The case revolves around Hossein, a caterer who suffered catastrophic injuries, including the amputation of his foot, after falling onto subway tracks due to a known defective rubbing board at the Parkchester station. Nick and Jessica share their strategies in overcoming significant defense arguments, which included claims of suicide and witness testimony from a dubious eyewitness. (Read more on the case) Nicholas Liakas, Esq. Senior Partner: Nicholas Liakas is a Senior Partner at Liakas Law, where he leads the firm’s most complex and high-profile litigation. A nationally recognized personal injury and civil rights trial attorney, he is known for securing some of the top verdicts and settlements in New York State. Over the course of his career, Nicholas has been responsible for recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims and their families. He has represented thousands of clients,achieving successful outcomes in both State and Federal courts.In 2020, he was named to The National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40,” a distinction awarded to fewer than one percent of attorneys who demonstrate outstanding skill, knowledge, and results in the field of personal injury law. He has maintained this recognition every year since, reflecting his continued excellence in high-stakes litigation. Widely regarded as a commanding presence in the courtroom, Nicholas is known for his tireless preparation, persuasive advocacy, and ability to distill complex issues into compelling narratives. Jurors can rely on his authenticity, clarity, and deep sense of purpose, making him a trusted andcredible advocate in the courtroom. (FULL BIO)   Jessica Brylo:  Jessica Brylo is the owner and lead litigation consultant at Trial Dynamics, a consulting firm dedicated to plaintiff’s civil litigation. She specializes in case framing, jury research, focus groups, mock trials, big data studies, opening statement development, witness preparation, and jury selection. Over the past two decades, Ms. Brylo has spoken to thousands of jurors and conducted hundreds of mock trials, the results of which she uses to guide case strategy and framing on several 7-9 figure catastrophic injury cases and multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuits. (FULL BIO)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Nicholas Liakas - Liakas Law Liakas Law on Facebook Liakas Law on Instagram Liakas Law on LinkedIn Jessica Brylo - Trial Dynamics Jessica Brylo on LinkedIn Jessica Brylo on Instagram   LISTEN TO PREVIOUS EPISODES & MEET THE TEAM: Great Trials Podcast Show Sponsors: Legal Technology Services  Harris Lowry Manton LLP - hlmlawfirm.com Production Team: Dee Daniels Media Podcast Production   Free Resources: Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1 Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2