Edelson PC Receives Multiple Honors at Elite Trial Lawyer Awards

CHICAGO, July 15, 2024 – The National Law Journal recognized our firm, Edelson PC, for its outstanding work in multiple categories at its annual Elite Trial Lawyers (ETL) Awards ceremony. The firm won the Trial Strategy Innovation award based on our significant contributions to advancing an area of law, reshaping the way courts or companies operate, and innovating how cases are tried. In addition, ETL recognized three of our attorneys as Rising Stars of the Plaintiffs’ Bar: Lauren Blazing, Megan Delurey, and Schuyler Ufkes.

The Trial Strategy Innovation Award was for our groundbreaking work in Oregon wildfires, winning a historic liability trial for an entire class and $220 million so far in verdicts. There, the trial proceeded in two phases: first, a liability phase and then in individual damages trials for survivors. We helped spearhead the liability phase, achieving a landmark verdict in June 2023. The jury’s decision was unequivocal, finding PacifiCorp guilty of negligence, recklessness, and willfulness, and recognizing its actions as a direct cause of harm to the entire class. Moreover, the jury held PacifiCorp accountable with punitive damages to every member of the class.

In the second phase of trials, juries are asked what the damages should be for individual members of the class. This ensures a swift and comprehensive resolution for victims, grouping multiple plaintiffs together in successive trials. We were recognized for the efficiency and dedication we brought to this phase of trials, where we brought two consolidated damages trials to completion within a mere four months. The outcomes were historic: an $85 million verdict for nine plaintiffs in January 2024, followed closely by a $42 million verdict for ten plaintiffs, bringing the total to $220 million.