On May 10, the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) hosted its annual CLE at ASU’s College of Law Downtown. This year’s event, “It’s All About the Money,” drew more than 100 lawyers from throughout the state, who learned from some of Arizona’s best trial lawyers what resonates with jurors — approaches to take, phrases to use, and exhibits to display to increase or decrease the potential for a large verdict. JSH attorney Phil Stanfield presented two sessions: “Punitive Damages in the 21st Century: A Sledge Hammer or a Rubber Mallet,” and “From Jury Selection to Closing Argument: Addressing Damages and Avoiding Ethical Violations.” JSH partner Georgia Staton presented “Beyond Pain and Suffering: Hedonic Damages/Loss of Enjoyment of Life — What is it and How do You Prove It?”
Staton is serving her third year as Chair of the Arizona Chapter of the ACTL. She was inducted as a Fellow in 2010 and served as Vice-Chair 2015-2017. ACTL is an invitation-only fellowship of exceptional trial lawyers who demonstrate the very highest standards of trial advocacy. Membership does not exceed 1% of the total lawyer population of any state or province. JSH is proud to have five lawyers as Fellows of this prestigious group, including Steve Bullington, Mel McDonald, Russ Skelton, Phil Stanfield and Georgia Staton.