Adam Trop delivers opening statements in Roland Ledoux's suit against Philip Morris and R.J. Reynolds for the lung cancer death of Ledoux's wife Patricia Ledoux. 

Miami—Attorneys for a Florida widower whose wife died from lung cancer told jurors her disease was caused by a tobacco industry conspiracy that addicted her to nicotine for more than 40 years, as trial opened Monday against the nation’s two largest cigarette makers. Roland Ledoux v. R.J. Reynolds, et al. 2007-CA-43991.

As critical as a well-prepared closing is, sometimes the moments with the biggest impact are delivered as a counterpunch to a remark by opposing counsel.  That’s how James Butler framed the 60 seconds of silence during rebuttal argument in Walden v. Chrysler Group LLC.

During opening statements, Bruce Anderson tells jurors that lack of communication between Drs. Gregory Pavlat and Benjamin Moore caused Margaret Roberts' stroke.

Jacksonville, FL—As trial began Wednesday in a suit over a stroke that left a woman with life-long brain damage, attorneys argued whether lack of communication between doctors who treated the woman for blood clots ultimately caused the stroke.  Roberts v. St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2011-CA-007017.

By the time opening statements begin, the average juror has already been overwhelmed with information. Voir dire, instructions from the bench, even the courtroom environment are all new and confusing to many jurors, making it difficult for them to fully understand details delivered in an opening. Under these circumstances, too many charts, models, and graphs intended to explain key terms can, in the wrong circumstances, confuse and distract the overwhelmed juror. Particularly where complex terms and ideas are central to a case, opting for a basic, simple demonstration of a theory can often be a powerful tool. That's the route The Cochran Firm's Jane Lamberti took in explaining the deadly buildup of fluid in a sleep center patient's lungs. 

Larry Stewart tells jurors Gwinnett County's control of a drainage pipe renders it responsible for flood damage to Jay and Lori Swift's property. 

 Lawrenceville, GA—A $189,000 October verdict against Gwinnett County capped nearly a half-decade of litigation by a couple who claimed the county refused in bad faith to pay for flood damage a drain system caused to their property. Swift v. Gwinnett County, 11-C-08314-S2.