How does it feel when the appeal of a $44.7 Million dollar jury verdict is finally all the way over.
What does it feel like for a trial attorney on Jan. 7, 2026. When the State Supreme Court publishes its denial of a petition for review by the Defendant who is insured by Allstate. After the Court of Appeals previously denied Defendant’s appeal of an October 2022 jury verdict for $44.7 Million less 5%. On behalf of a plaintiff whose life forever changed when they were 26 and injured in a motorcycle v. SUV crash.
What does it feel like to see the email from the Supreme Court. To click it open. And see the words - “review denied.”
Does your heart begin to beat hard. Do you start screaming. Do you cut yourself off. Pull out your phone and immediately call the client. Does your client who is driving, have to pull over. And listen to you screaming and laughing. And do they join in just as equally boisterous. Do you call Kristin who considers herself another mom to the client - and the client fully agrees. Does she start screaming and laughing.
Do you try to merge the calls and fail ten times before giving up. Do you try to teams the whole office. But can’t find the right button and start cold calling everyone. Are you all jumping up and down in your little hollywood squares.
Do you email your kids and call your partner. And run around like a wild banshee - delighted and unfocused. Do you get a grip and run out the door to walk 2 miles to meet out of town cocounsel on an Amazon case for dinner. Then afterwards walk back. Do you talk to Stritmatter and Kahler and Moore. And smile at every single person you encounter.
When you are home do you email again with the client and with Kristin. Do you rewatch the music video from closing statement to remember the entire experience of that trial. S. v. Holguin - Stritmatter Law.
Do people ask you how much interest has accrued on $42 M and then you make them guess.
Do you laugh with delight knowing that in exactly one week you will be back in trial against the same defense lawyer.
Yes. You do all of these things and more. You rejoice.