John Rushing | Virgin Scent, Inc. DBA Artnaturals v. BT Supplies West, Inc.| $17.8 Million Verdict

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 hundred jury 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 of business and tort matters, including the defense of hundreds of asbestos and other toxic exposure claims. In recent years, Randy has served as lead trial counsel for a major medical supply and distribution company in its opioid litigation. Randy frequently appears in state and federal appellate courts throughout the Southeast and is a frequent speaker on issues relating to the transportation industry. (READ FULL BIO)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: HunterMaclean on X HunterMaclean on LinkedIn 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 and credible 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

This week Steve and Yvonne interview Brian Beckcom of VB Attorneys (https://www.vbattorneys.com/).   Remember to rate and review GTP in iTunes: Click Here to Rate and Review   View/Download Trial Documents   Case Details: The crew of the Maersk Alabama was attacked and taken hostage by Somali pirates. The events were depicted in a Hollywood blockbuster called “Captain Phillips” starring Tom Hanks. Brian and his firm countered a massive Hollywood publicity campaign that portrayed Captain Phillips as a hero and the crew as lazy layabouts, when in fact the exact opposite was true. The case resulted in a confidential settlement for each crew member. It also changed the way the shipping industry provides security to the men and women who travel in dangerous, pirate-infested waters   Guest Bio: Brian Beckcom Brian Beckcom is one of the leading lawyers of his generation. Brian's peers have voted him a Texas Super Lawyer 14 years in a row, and every single year he has been eligible. Brian is also a Board Certified Expert in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a recognition shared by less than 2% of lawyers. Brian has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and he and his law firm have obtained record-setting settlements and verdicts in a wide variety of significant legal cases. Brian is also a Computer Scientist & Philosopher. He created and hosts the popular podcast "Lesson from Leaders with Brian Beckcom." Brian is a military "brat," a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a single-digit golfer, a former college basketball player at Texas A&M, a four-year member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and an accomplished freshwater and saltwater fly fisherman. Brian is an honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is the author of 6 books and hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics. Brian has successfully prosecuted many high profile cases. The national and international media has covered Brian's work on these complex cases. Read Full Bio   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 sits down with Margaret Battersby Black and Seth Cardeli from Levin & Perconti about their successful $20 million verdict in a birth trauma case. CASE SUMMARY: The case involved Anthony Harris, who was born with severe brain damage due to alleged medical errors during labor. Margaret and Seth discussed the complexities of birth trauma cases, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in monitoring fetal heart rates and recognizing signs of distress. They highlighted the multiple errors made by the medical team, including delayed C-section and misinterpretation of fetal heart monitor readings. The case was tried over three weeks in Cook County, Illinois, resulting in a significant verdict for the family. (Full details on the case) Margaret Battersby Black BIO:  Margaret Battersby Black is an award-winning attorney who has played a key role in a number of nursing home and medical malpractice cases at Levin & Perconti. Her commitment to her practice has achieved noteworthy results for clients in all types of personal injury, nursing home and malpractice matters. Margaret is also committed to the advancement of women in the legal profession and serves as a mentor to law students and younger lawyers. In 2023 she was bestowed the “Carole K. Bellows Women of Influence” award which honors those who are advocates for action addressing women’s issues and promote involvement by women in the legal community at all levels. (READ FULL BIO) Seth Cardeli BIO: With more than a decade of experience, Seth L. Cardeli is a skilled trial attorney representing families across the country who have suffered as a result of medical negligence and malpractice, including children who have been injured during labor and delivery. Seth is well-versed in the many complex legal and medical issues surrounding birth injury claims. He regularly conducts educational seminars for other attorneys on important aspects of litigation, such as taking depositions and dealing with obstacles to the discovery process. Seth recently gave a lecture on Basic Fetal Heart Rate Patterns, Nomenclature, and Etiology, in which he taught lawyers how to interpret electronic fetal heart rate tracings used to gain valuable information about babies during labor. (READ FULL BIO) CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Levin & Perconti on INSTAGRAM Levin & Perconti on FACEBOOK Levin & Perconti on TIKTOK Levin & Perconti on LINKEDIN 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 talk to renowned trial lawyer Joe Fried from Fried Goldberg LLC about the landmark case, Bradfield vs. Amazon Logistics, which resulted in a $16.2 million verdict. The case involved an 8-year-old boy, Gabe Bradfield, who suffered severe injuries after being struck and dragged by an Amazon delivery van. (More details on the case here)   Joe Fried Joe Fried is one of the original truck accident lawyers in the country and is widely recognized as a top attorney in the field. His passion for what he does shines through, and his reputation and record-setting results speak for themselves. Joe has litigated cases in more than 43 states, which gives him an unmatched perspective, and his leadership in the field of truck accident law and trucking safety is second to none. Joe is known as one of the principal founders of truck accident law as a unique field. He has changed the way truck crash cases are handled, helping Fried Goldberg LLC earn a national reputation. Joe is credited with developing many of the best practices used by lawyers nationally in truck accident investigation and truck accident litigation. (Read full bio)   CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Fried Goldberg LLC Fried Goldberg on LinkedIn Joe Fried on LinkedIn  Fried Goldberg on Facebook Fried Goldberg 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

In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry interviews Nathan Werksman of Merson Law and Sam Martin of Patrick Malone & Associates to dissect their recent $2.3 million medical malpractice verdict in the case Weil v. Dr. Alhindawi. (More details on the case) Guest Bio: Nathan Werksman As a trial attorney at Merson Law PLLC, Nathan Werksman fights for the injured and wronged in catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death litigation and is a leader in the New York legal community. His work on behalf of injured New Yorkers has been featured on Good Morning America and Eyewitness News ABC 7 New York and in The New York Times, The New York Post, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Nathan is very involved in the New York legal community and in making New York a more just place for the injured. He is the Deputy Treasurer of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association, is the Chair of the Products Liability Committee at the New York City Bar Association and is on the Executive Committee of the UJA’s Young Lawyers Division. He was also selected to serve on the 2024 Supreme Court Independent Judicial Screening Panel, which plays a critical role in selecting the Supreme Court judges in Manhattan. Read Full Bio Sam Martin Sam Martin joins the team at Patrick Malone & Associates having already represented plaintiffs in a variety of cases including individual injuries, discrimination lawsuits, consumer class actions and mass torts. Sam grew up in West Warwick, Rhode Island. He earned a B.A. in Political Science at Yale University. While at Yale, he captained the men’s varsity basketball team, and he received the Roosevelt L. Thompson Prize for his dedication to serving his class and community. Sam earned his J.D. from Stanford Law School, where professors awarded him the Gerald Gunther and John Hart Ely Prizes for outstanding performance in classwork, including receiving the top grade in Federal Courts. Sam has been named as a top "40 under 40" lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers. Read Full Bio CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS: Nathan Werksman on LinkedIn Merson Law, PLLC on Instagram Sam Martin on LinkedIn 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, hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey sit down with Jim Tuxbury from Hinckley, Allen and Snyder to discuss the landmark Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower retaliation case of Carlos Domenech vs. Terraform Power and Terraform Global. Case Details: Hinckley Allen secured a historic victory with a $34.5 million recovery in favor of its client, Carlos Domenech Zornoza (Mr. Domenech), marking the culmination of a nine-year legal battle. This is the largest documented recovery for a Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower retaliation claim since the statute was enacted in 2005 following the Enron scandal. (More details on the case) Guest Bio: Jim Tuxbury Jim is a partner and trial lawyer in our litigation practice, focusing primarily on complex commercial business disputes and securities litigation, as well as product liability, white-collar defense, and government investigations. As a trial lawyer, Jim has litigated and tried cases in state and federal court in Massachusetts and throughout the country. Recently, Jim prevailed in the trial of a Sarbanes Oxley Whistleblower case on behalf of the former CEO of Terraform Power Inc. and Terraform Global, Inc. and obtained a $34.5 million recovery for his client after the Court found the defendants were liable for unlawfully terminating their former CEO in retaliation for his whistleblowing activities. Read Full Bio CONNECT WITH OUR GUEST: Jim Tuxbury on LinkedIn 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

This week, Steve and Yvonne interviewed Lee Hunt of Hunt Law Firm (https://huntlaw.com/).   Remember to rate and review GTP in iTunes: Click Here to Rate and Review   View/Download Trial Documents   Case Details: James Razo, age 55, suffered a spinal cord injury while working on Only the Brave, a movie about a group of elite hotshot firefighters filmed in 2016. Mr. Razo was transporting camera equipment, which tipped over, crushing him. He suffered a spinal cord injury, internal injuries, and brain damage.    Guest Bio: Lee Hunt You want to know more about your lawyer than whether he is capable of handling your case. By the end of the case, you and your lawyer better trust each other, know each and honestly care about each other. My belief is that to help a person in a legal crisis, I must know you as a person – not just another case.That means you should know more about me than where I went to school. I am a husband. My wife Kristi is a native New Mexican who grew up on a cattle ranch in Roy, New Mexico. Her family settled the ranch back in the early 1940s and have raised cattle and kids there ever since. I am a father. I have three wonderfully full of life children. I am also a Christian. My faith and my belief in redemption is what drives me to do this work. I don’t think that you have to be a trial attorney to make the world better and to live in the likeness of Jesus, but it is what makes sense to me. If I can help people in crisis and be a calm witness in the midst of the storm, then maybe God can use that to His Glory. I am also an athlete. I love to get away from everything with a hard run in early morning hours or a solitary bike ride. I have raced the Hawaii Ironman twice and ran 100 miles at the Leadville Trail 100. I think balance in life is difficult to find, but even harder to get back aligned when out of whack. Trust me when I say, that I work as hard as anyone I know, but I will always find time for my family and for myself. In the end that time away makes me a better lawyer. As a lawyer, I have always wanted to try difficult cases to juries. To be respected by the other side, they must know that we are willing to fight all the way to the end and get results in Court. Our track record at trial speaks to who we are and how far we are willing to go to make things right. Read Full Bio   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

This week Steve and Yvonne interview Jude Basile of The Basile Law Firm (https://www.basilelaw.com/).   Remember to rate and review GTP in iTunes: Click Here to Rate and Review   View/Download Trial Documents   Guest Bio: Jude Basille Jude first began practicing law in 1982. Over the years, he has earned numerous awards as a result of his fierce dedication to protecting families and people. Jude has been named Trial Lawyer of the Year four times, and Outstanding Trial Lawyer nine times by various trial lawyer organizations. He is the only lawyer between Los Angeles and San Francisco to be part of the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates, a national invitation-only organization that includes only the 100 top plaintiff trial lawyers in the United States. In addition, he has earned the highest rating among his peers in the legal community while enjoying the friendship and gratitude of his clients.  Nothing gives him more satisfaction, however, than finding out and overcoming injustice in the form of abuse of power and corporate greed - a mission he began in childhood. Those who know Jude best will tell you he demonstrates a depth of intensity that even those who oppose him in the courtroom cannot deny. He is simply the very best at what he does, and believes in quality over quantity when it comes to caseload, spending time with his clients in order to better understand each unique situation. Jude is an invited speaker and presenter at numerous State Bar Associations and invited to teach at various Trial Lawyer programs.  EDUCATION University of Notre Dame Edinboro University of Pennsylvania B.A. Social Science Indiana University of Pennsylvania M.S. Business Thomas Jefferson School of Law J.D. with honors BAR ADMISSIONS  US Supreme Court California 1982 Georgia 1982 (inactive) US Federal Court Read Full Bio   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