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2021 Webinar: Lights, Camera, Objection!
April 28, 2021 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The Future Leaders Forum Practice Group hosted a complimentary webinar on April 28, 2021, at 12:00 p.m. Central Time titled, “Lights, Camera, Objection!” CLE credit is available for this webinar.
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Webinar Materials:
About the Webinar:
No matter where you practice, jury trials are not going anywhere. COVID has, however, impacted the way jurors see the world and how we see and assess jurors from jury selection through the end of trial. In this presentation, we will discuss preparing for jury trials post-COVID, both in-person and remotely, focus on who is more likely to appear for jury duty, and understand the impact COVID has and will continue to have on jury trials. We will also look at suggested voir dire questions and advise how to refine your trial strategy post-COVID.
Panelists:
D.J. BURRUS is an associate attorney with ALFA International member firm Lorance Thompson in Houston, Texas. D.J. has been with Lorance Thompson since passing the Texas Bar in 2016 after receiving a bachelor’s degree in Ag. Communication and Journalism from Texas A&M University and his J.D. from Oklahoma City University School of Law. D.J.’s practice focuses on litigation of civil lawsuits resulting from premises liability, dram shop and motor vehicle accident claims. D.J. has handled cases ranging from minor slip and falls to fatality accidents and was second chair on the trial team for Harris County’s second post-COVID in-person jury trial, which resulted in a defense verdict on a $2 million claim. D.J. is a member of ALFAI’s Future Leaders Forum and the Texas Trucking Association’s Emerging Leaders Council. His experience has led to testifying by request on a variety of legal issues before the Texas Senate and House of Representatives. D.J. has also been featured in the Texas Bar Journal and on KERA FM radio.
DONNA SIMMS is the senior corporation oversight manager for Albertsons Companies. Donna began her career with Iowa National Insurance and has worked in the insurance industry for more than 25 years. She started with Albertsons Companies in 1991. In 2006, Albertsons Companies was sold, and she left to work as a manager for Avis Budget Group for two years. Albertsons Companies has been through many transitions and called her back in 2008 to oversee the General Liability Litigated Claims program. Donna serves in the Risk Management department and oversees all claims and litigation for the Albertsons’ family of companies. She attended Seminole State College, is married and is an avid golfer.
ANDRE J. WEBB is a partner with ALFA International member firm German, Gallagher & Murtagh, P.C. (GGM) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he defends insured and self-insured entities in a variety of litigation matters. Prior to joining GGM, Andre was trial counsel for a large insurance company where he handled a wide variety of cases, including premises liability, product liability, dram shop/liquor liability cases and motor vehicle accidents, including UM/ UIM claims. Andre has considerable jury trial experience in both state and federal courts. The diverse nature of Andre’s practice provides him with a unique perspective when advising and counseling clients towards attaining the best and most cost-effective resolution. Andre’s professional activities extend beyond the courtroom as he is very active in the legal community. Andre is an elected member of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Board of Governors; he also serves as chair of the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) and is an Executive Committee member of the Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel (PADC). Andre is also active with the Pennsylvania Bar Association, where he serves in the House of Delegates.