Christopher Morrison, left, and Kate Wallace, right, of Jones Day.

Christopher Morrison and Kate Wallace, Jones Day

Tell us about your biggest trial win from January 2017 to July 2018 and how you achieved the result for your client.

In June 2018, Jones Day secured a verdict for the Boston Red Sox in a foul ball injury trial that was the first of its kind in Massachusetts. Such cases are rare even on a national level, because the “baseball rule” historically has limited a ballpark's duty under general negligence principles. Here, in an attempt to change the game, the plaintiff pleaded a premises liability theory. The Jones Day team proffered extensive evidence, including expert testimony, about the reasonable precautions undertaken by the Red Sox to ensure the safety of their fans and how unlikely such an accident was—thereby disproving any negligence and deterring future such claims.

1. Teamwork works. There's no rule that says there can only be one “first chair.” Great trial teams share responsibility and work together. Juries respond to teamwork in action.
2. Be flexible. Trials rarely go exactly according to script. You can write your outlines, study expert reports, and have your exhibits ready, but you may lose the trial without several backup plans.