San Diego (July 22, 2024) – Nationwide civil litigation and insurance defense firm Tyson & Mendes LLP today announced the conclusion of its third annual Nuclear Verdicts Defense Institute aimed at ending the surge of skyrocketing jury verdicts across the country. The Institute teaches defense attorneys and claims professionals how to stop Nuclear Verdicts® – large, unsubstantiated jury awards that typically exceed $10 million.
Tyson & Mendes is the only U.S. defense firm that offers an immersive, four-day trial academy to train defense lawyers and claims professionals in proven Nuclear Verdicts® Defense Methods for driving down damage awards. Through an intensive psychology workshop, expert panel discussions, keynote presentations, small group activities, and demonstrations, Institute participants of all experience levels, firm sizes, and locations learn advanced trial skills for defusing juror anger and innovative strategies to counter evolving plaintiff’s bar tactics. Upon graduating from the Institute, each participant receives certification as a Nuclear Verdicts Defender, an accreditation endorsed by the University of San Diego School of Law’s Office of Graduate Programs.
This year’s Institute, hosted in San Diego, California, welcomed carriers for the first time to become certified in the Nuclear Verdicts® Defense Methods alongside their defense counsel.
“Taught by an esteemed faculty of legal defense experts, the Institute is designed to increase much-needed collaboration and communication across the defense community so we can work together to minimize these astronomical and unjust jury verdicts,” says Robert Tyson, Strategic Managing Partner of Tyson & Mendes. “Nuclear Verdicts® are proliferating because the defense industry has been slow to change. There is a pattern to what is driving Nuclear Verdicts® across the country. We are dedicated to breaking that pattern by teaching the defense bar the proven methods we employ that have saved the insurance industry nearly $3 billion over just the past four years.”
This year’s featured speakers included:
Robert Tyson, a noted trial attorney and author of “Nuclear Verdicts®: Defending Justice for All,” which presents the set of unique defense methods taught at the Institute which are designed to drive down damage awards. Focused on sharing his successful trial methods with the insurance and defense industries, Tyson is especially known for his groundbreaking work on Howell v. Hamilton Meats, a reverberating decision that set the stage to save insurers and corporate defendants over $10 billion each year – reshaping personal injury litigation across California. Tyson is also co-founder of Schaefer City Technologies, a revolutionary AI company whose innovative first product, NaVel™, is designed to identify potential Nuclear Verdicts® in live claim files.
Jennifer Staples, Ph.D., a clinical psychologist and adjunct professor with clinical expertise focused on promoting preventative mental health. To combat plaintiffs’ attorneys’ efforts to drive up damage awards through juror anger – the number one emotional motivator of a nuclear verdict – Staples helps attendees understand the psychology of anger at the heart of plaintiff trial tactics.
The faculty also included Tyson & Mendes Partners Lynn Allen, Kristi Blackwell, Daniel Fallon, Ashley Paige Fetyko, Edward Leonard, Cayce Lynch, Mina Miserlis, and Richard Somes.
Participant Bill Daw, Partner at Texas-based Daw and Ray, graduated the Institute. “In this changed world of outsized verdicts and psychological strategy, the defense needs every arrow in their quiver. I came away from this program with more and better ammunition.” Daw is an esteemed trial lawyer and professor. He added, “The most significant and unanticipated benefit was the incredible exchange of ideas and collaboration. Our abilities were enhanced every single day. I am always learning, and I learned practical skills I will take not only to my clients, but to my students. The experience was incredible.”
Rachel Beauchamp, Partner at Cousineau Malone agreed. “The Institute provided both psychological evidence and practical application of proven methods to use in trial. The combination gave me the tools to start using these methods immediately. I started writing closings for cases I have upcoming over these four days to put this valuable learning into practice.”
Planning for the 2025 Nuclear Verdicts Defense Institute has already started. Visit nuclearverdictsdefense.com or email info@nuclearverdictsdefense.com for more information and to subscribe to receive updates.
About the Nuclear Verdicts Defense Institute
Based on the principles in the best-selling book, Nuclear Verdicts®: Defending Justice for All, the Nuclear Verdicts Defense Institute is the only trial academy developed to teach defense attorneys and claims professionals how to stop Nuclear Verdicts® – large, unsubstantiated jury awards that typically exceed $10 million. Through psychology workshops, expert panel discussions, small group activities and demonstrations, participants practice and learn advanced trial skills for defusing juror anger and defending against astronomical jury verdicts. At its conclusion, each participant receives certification as a Nuclear Verdicts Defender, an accreditation endorsed by the University of San Diego School of Law’s Office of Graduate Programs. The Institute is hosted by nationwide civil litigation and insurance defense law firm Tyson & Mendes LLP. For more information, visit nuclearverdictsdefense.com.
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