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The Great Trials Podcast offers a series of laid-back, casual conversations with leading trial lawyers, taking listeners "behind the scenes" of America’s greatest trials. Hosted by acclaimed trial lawyers Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey, each podcast episode focuses on one important trial and includes in-depth, insightful interviews with the attorneys who successfully argued the case in front of a judge and jury.
Episodes
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
Tuesday Mar 03, 2026
This week, Steve and Yvonne interview David Yarborough and William Applegate of Yarborough Applegate Law Firm, LLC (https://www.yarboroughapplegate.com/).
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Case Details:
Yarborough Applegate secured a landmark jury verdict against Amazon for $44.6 million, including $30 million in punitive damages, after a man was catastrophically injured in a motorcycle collision with an Amazon van on Orangeburg Road in Summerville, South Carolina. This distracted driving case marks the first time Amazon has tested with a jury the issue of whether the online retail and global logistics giant will be held responsible for injuries caused by one of its 285,000 Amazon Delivery Associates (drivers) it calls independent contractors.
Yarborough Applegate attorneys David Yarborough, Alexandra Heaton, and William Applegate, working alongside Nick Clekis of the Clekis Law Firm in Charleston, represented a motorcyclist who sustained a traumatic brain injury and numerous orthopedic injuries in September 2021 when an Amazon Delivery Associate failed to yield to the right of way and turned left directly into his path. We filed suit against the driver, the local delivery company MJV Logistics, and Amazon, Amazon Services, and Amazon Logistics Inc. Source.
Guest Bios:
David Yarborough
David has a history of achieving record-breaking jury verdicts and settlements for his clients. In December 2023, David and partners obtained a $44.6 million jury verdict against Amazon.com, Inc. in the first case to hold Amazon vicariously liable under an agency theory for the vicarious and negligent acts of its delivery drivers, whom Amazon claims are independent contractors. This was the largest personal injury verdict ever awarded in conservative Dorchester County and is believed to be one of the largest jury verdicts in South Carolina history in an injury case not involving death. Read more about this case here.
In October 2021, David achieved the largest dram shop verdict ever in Charleston County, South Carolina, for the sale of alcohol to minors by a Sunoco gas station. David and the firm also achieved one of the top 100 jury verdicts in the United States from their $35.9 million verdict against PEPCO in conservative Montgomery County, Maryland.
David has collected jury verdicts and settlements totaling hundreds of millions of dollars for his catastrophically injured clients in cases involving bad faith against insurance companies; industrial plant injuries resulting in worker deaths; product liability from automobile rollovers and industrial machine injuries; toxic chemical spills by railroad companies; pool drownings; trucking and auto accidents; nursing home and daycare negligence; dram shop and alcohol liability negligence by bars and restaurants; and negligence by retail stores, energy companies, apartment complexes, hotels, and construction contractors for job-site, balcony collapse and premises injuries.
He is a member of the Charleston Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), the South Carolina Association of Justice, the American Association for Justice, the Charleston County Bar’s Mental Wellness Committee, Lawyers Helping Lawyers, and the Board of Regents of TriCounty Family Ministries. For the past twenty-five years, David has been heavily involved in mentoring and counseling people suffering from alcoholism and addiction who are seeking recovery. He places a large emphasis on giving back to the local community through free legal work and generous financial and service contributions to local charities each year. He and his wife, Jessica, are Charleston natives and have four children.
Prior to founding Yarborough Applegate, David was a partner at another Charleston-based law firm, where he was part of a national trial team defending products liability cases in trials across the United States. His experience handling national litigation and having represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal courts around the country provides him with a varied perspective in discovery strategy, negotiations, and trial.
William Applegate
With nearly twenty years of experience in the courtroom, William is a seasoned trial lawyer with a track record of success. He has successfully litigated complex cases involving toxic torts, electrocutions, police negligence, medical negligence, and premises liability, representing clients suffering from the most severe catastrophic injuries. Beyond having had numerous trial victories, he has also achieved two record-breaking verdicts, been recognized by his peers as one of the top litigators in the state, won numerous awards as a leader in the law, and has been consistently given Martindale-Hubbell’s highest ranking as an AV lawyer.
Beyond his experience and hard work, he is a passionate advocate for his clients, who are defined by determination and perseverance. William understands that his clients, many of whom find themselves in desperate situations following serious trauma, such as the death of a loved one or experiencing life-altering injuries, are relying on him, and he takes this responsibility personally.
In 2014, William and his team represented 28-year-old paralyzed construction worker Hugo Hernandez against PEPCO (Potomac Energy and Power Company). After a two-week trial against PEPCO in Montgomery County, Maryland, the jury awarded Mr. Hernandez $35.9 million in damages in compensation for the overwhelming cost of Mr. Hernandez’s future medical care as a young, C4 paraplegic as well as for his pain and suffering and loss of income. This was the largest verdict in Montgomery County history and was one of the largest verdicts in American history for an undocumented worker.
In 2019, William represented an undocumented worker who was killed when electrocuted by a power line that was hidden by vegetation, which Dominion Energy had failed to maintain, and a jury returned a $21 million dollar verdict, the largest verdict in the history of Colleton County, SC.
In 2021, William represented a Claflin College student who suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of a car crash caused by a road construction defect. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a $13.1 million dollar verdict against the road contractor Archer Western and the Department of Transportation, also awarding punitive damages against Archer Western. In all three of these cases, William refused offers of millions of dollars to ensure his clients were fully compensated by a jury.
William was born in Charleston, SC, and with the exception of studying abroad to become fluent in Spanish, he has remained in SC his entire life. He is a graduate of the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina School of Law. As a law student, he received the Public Interest Law Society Grant to work in Washington, D.C., served as vice-president of the Pro Bono Board, and was a student member of the John Belton O’Neal Inn of Court. Following law school, he served as law clerk to the Honorable James R. Barber, III, of the Fifth Judicial Circuit of the State of South Carolina before starting in private practice with Motley Rice, one of the largest plaintiff’s firms in the country.
William has a deep commitment to South Carolina and is very involved in his community in Charleston. He serves on the board of the Historic Charleston Foundation and actively supports numerous charitable organizations, including One80 Place, in their fight against homelessness, Communities in Schools, the Coastal Conservation League, and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
William is a regular speaker at various legal conferences, is a member of the American Bar Association and Charleston County Bar Association, and is an active member of the South Carolina Association for Justice. When not working, William and his wife, Lydia, enjoy raising their two children in South Carolina.
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Yarborough Applegate IG: @yarboroughapplegate
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Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
On this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey interview trial lawyers Todd Poses, Adam Boumel, and Doug Eaton about Benavides (on behalf of Bel Benavides Leone) and Dylan Angulo v. Tesla, Inc., described as the first “enhanced autopilot” case against Tesla to reach a verdict.
CASE SUMMARY:
The case stems from an April 25, 2019 crash on Card Sound Road where Tesla driver George McGee, using Enhanced Autopilot, dropped his phone and, while reaching for it with his foot on the accelerator, ran a stop sign at a T-intersection and struck an SUV and the two people nearby—killing 22-year-old Bel Benavides Leone and catastrophically injuring Dylan Angulo (including traumatic brain injury/brain bleed, jaw fractures, and multiple fractures to his back, hip, and pelvis). READ MORE
GUEST BIOS
Todd Poses: He started his practice as a lawyer with his father who was one of Miami’s premier plaintiff trial lawyers and has himself been practicing now for over 30 years. In that time, he has tried dozens of cases to verdict, including high profile cases and catastrophic injury cases, most recently before the Tesla verdict a $7.7 million verdict for DJ Laz stemming from non-surgical injuries suffered in an elevator malfunction case.
Adam Boumel: Adam Boumel is a skilled trial attorney known for delivering results in high-stakes personal injury cases across Florida and California. Born in Boston and raised in South Florida, Adam began his career in the entertainment industry, working as a successful talent agent and promoter for large-scale music festivals. Initially planning to become an entertainment lawyer, he earned his J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, California.
Doug Eaton: Doug Eaton has a wide-ranging litigation practice, with his primary focus on plaintiff’s catastrophic injury cases and appeals. These include medical malpractice, products liability, motor vehicle accidents, nursing home negligence, and other serious personal injury matters. He litigates matters at both the trial and appellate levels and provides trial and appellate support to other attorneys throughout the state. Mr. Eaton has briefed and argued appeals in state and federal courts throughout Florida. Mr. Eaton is a founding member of Eaton & Wolk.
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Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey are joined by renowned trial and jury consultant Robert Hirschhorn.
They discuss a variety of topics ranging from Hirschhorn's journey into the field, insights into high-profile cases, and practical tips for selecting juries in complex trials. Robert shares stories from notable cases, including a landmark verdict in Cox vs. the State of Washington and strategies that led to a $440 million verdict in Grantham vs. Stewart Petroleum Testers.
He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between liability and damages juries and introduces Verdict Hub, a new AI-driven tool for trial preparation.
GUEST BIO:
Robert Hirschhorn of Cathy E. Bennett & Associates, Inc., is an attorney and a nationally recognized expert in jury and trial consultation. A jury consultant since 1985, Robert has selected juries that have returned tens of billions of dollars in verdicts. Jury verdicts since 2018 include:
1. $2.065 Billion awarded by a Georgia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2025)
2. $109.5 Million for severe burns due to a house explosion. (2025)
3. $60 Million Verdict against Mead Johnson in the first Enfamil Baby Formula case. (2024)
4. $2.25 Billion awarded by a Philadelphia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2024)
5. $175 Million awarded by a Philadelphia state court jury in a RoundUp case. (2023)
Robert has also authored four books and several articles for Law360, Texas Lawyer, and AAJ. He has appeared on Good Morning America, MSNBC, Court TV, CNN, HLN, Dateline NBC, 48 Hours, Nightline, and many national radio programs. He lectures nationwide to lawyers and judges on the art of jury selection.
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Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1
Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey welcome guest Eric Fong to discuss a significant case involving Jessica Hilton versus the Washington Department of Corrections and Child Protective Services.
CASE SUMMARY:
**TRIGGER WARNING**
The case in focus deals with severe instances of sexual abuse, specifically involving Jessica Hilton and multiple failures of state agencies to protect her and her siblings.
ERIC FONG BIO:
Eric has obtained the two largest general damages jury verdicts for one person in Washington state history; $91,000,000 for a premise liability matter that resulted in a TBI and $42,000,000 for the governmental neglect of a child that resulted in abuse and PTSD. Eric began his career as a public defender, dedicating 11 years advocating for those in need — work he remains most proud of to this day. With nearly three decades of trial experience, Eric has tried over 100 cases to verdict and has received state and national trial lawyer of the year awards. In addition to his legal practice, Eric loves teaching and has been an instructor of the Gerry Spence Method for over 20 years. Eric loves working with his wife on their cut flower farm, hiking and fishing. (READ MORE)
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Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1
Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2
Tuesday Jan 06, 2026
Tuesday Jan 06, 2026
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, host Steve Lowry interviews John Rushing, a prominent trial lawyer and partner at Rushing McCarl, LLP. The discussion delves into a significant business dispute case, Virgin Scent Inc. dba ArtNaturals vs. BT Supplies West Inc., tried in federal court in Los Angeles in November 2022.
CASE SUMMARY:
Rushing McCarl LLP secured a $17.8 million jury verdict on behalf of cosmetics manufacturer Virgin Scent, Inc. dba Artnaturals. The jury found that defendant BT Supplies Inc. had breached contracts to buy millions of hand sanitizer bottles and masks during the COVID-19 pandemic. BT Supplies was represented by Nixon Peabody LLP, an Am Law 100 firm. (READ MORE)
JOHN RUSHING BIO:
John Rushing is a premier trial attorney and oral advocate who, as the leader of Rushing McCarl’s trial team, has secured multimillion-dollar jury verdicts in several state and federal jury trials since co-founding the firm in 2020. These victories included wins in contract and partnership disputes brought for California businesses, including a unanimous $17.8 million jury verdict won for a large manufacturer. Mr. Rushing was named to Super Lawyers in 2025. (READ MORE)
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Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1
Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
In this 200th EPISODE of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry hosts a detailed discussion with Randy Jordan, an experienced trial lawyer from HunterMaclean in coastal Georgia. The focus is on the complex case of Poppell v. Cardinal Health, McKesson Corporation, and Smith Corporation, which involved 21 plaintiffs and highlighted the opioid crisis.
CASE SUMMARY:
In the case of Poppell, et al, vs McKesson, et al, twenty-one plaintiffs sued three wholesale medicine and medical supply distributors, including McKesson Corporation, Cardinal Health, and J.M. Smith. Under Georgia’s Drug Dealer Liability Act, the plaintiffs claimed that the three companies acted as illegal drug dealers in filling orders for opioid medications placed by pharmacies and hospitals in Coastal Georgia. The plaintiffs, mostly children of the addicts, claimed extensive mental and psychological damage resulting from their parents’ addictions. (READ MORE)
RANDY JORDAN:
He is a uniquely experienced trial attorney, having tried well over one hundred
jury cases in state and federal courts across the country. For over thirty years,
Randy has defended some of America’s largest railroads in a wide array of
business and tort matters, including the defense of hundreds of asbestos
and other toxic exposure claims. In recent years, Randy has served as lead
trial counsel for a major medical supply and distribution company in its opioid
litigation. Randy frequently appears in state and federal appellate courts
throughout the Southeast and is a frequent speaker on issues relating to the
transportation industry. (READ FULL BIO)
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Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
Tuesday Dec 09, 2025
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey welcome two remarkable guests, trial lawyer Nick Liakas and jury consultant Jessica Brylo. They dive deep into the fascinating case of Maruf Hossain vs. the New York City Transit Authority, resulting in a $22,750,000 verdict.
CASE SUMMARY:
The case revolves around Hossein, a caterer who suffered catastrophic injuries, including the amputation of his foot, after falling onto subway tracks due to a known defective rubbing board at the Parkchester station. Nick and Jessica share their strategies in overcoming significant defense arguments, which included claims of suicide and witness testimony from a dubious eyewitness. (Read more on the case)
Nicholas Liakas, Esq. Senior Partner:
Nicholas Liakas is a Senior Partner at Liakas Law, where he leads the firm’s most complex and high-profile litigation. A nationally recognized personal injury and civil rights trial attorney, he is known for securing some of the top verdicts and settlements in New York State. Over the course of his career, Nicholas has been responsible for recovering hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims and their families. He has represented thousands of clients,
achieving successful outcomes in both State and Federal courts.
In 2020, he was named to The National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40,” a distinction awarded to fewer than one percent of attorneys who demonstrate outstanding skill, knowledge, and results in the field of personal injury law. He has maintained this recognition every year since, reflecting his continued excellence in high-stakes litigation. Widely regarded as a commanding presence in the courtroom, Nicholas is known for his tireless preparation, persuasive advocacy, and ability to distill complex issues into compelling narratives. Jurors can rely on his authenticity, clarity, and deep sense of purpose, making him a trusted and
credible advocate in the courtroom. (FULL BIO)
Jessica Brylo:
Jessica Brylo is the owner and lead litigation consultant at Trial Dynamics, a consulting firm dedicated to plaintiff’s civil litigation. She specializes in case framing, jury research, focus groups, mock trials, big data studies, opening statement development, witness preparation, and jury selection. Over the past two decades, Ms. Brylo has spoken to thousands of jurors and conducted hundreds of mock trials, the results of which she uses to guide case strategy and framing on several 7-9 figure catastrophic injury cases and multi-billion dollar class-action lawsuits. (FULL BIO)
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Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
This week Steve and Yvonne interview Brian Beckcom of VB Attorneys (https://www.vbattorneys.com/).
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Case Details:
The crew of the Maersk Alabama was attacked and taken hostage by Somali pirates. The events were depicted in a Hollywood blockbuster called “Captain Phillips” starring Tom Hanks. Brian and his firm countered a massive Hollywood publicity campaign that portrayed Captain Phillips as a hero and the crew as lazy layabouts, when in fact the exact opposite was true. The case resulted in a confidential settlement for each crew member. It also changed the way the shipping industry provides security to the men and women who travel in dangerous, pirate-infested waters
Guest Bio:
Brian Beckcom
Brian Beckcom is one of the leading lawyers of his generation. Brian's peers have voted him a Texas Super Lawyer 14 years in a row, and every single year he has been eligible. Brian is also a Board Certified Expert in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, a recognition shared by less than 2% of lawyers.
Brian has obtained hundreds of millions of dollars for his clients, and he and his law firm have obtained record-setting settlements and verdicts in a wide variety of significant legal cases.
Brian is also a Computer Scientist & Philosopher. He created and hosts the popular podcast "Lesson from Leaders with Brian Beckcom."
Brian is a military "brat," a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, a single-digit golfer, a former college basketball player at Texas A&M, a four-year member of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets, and an accomplished freshwater and saltwater fly fisherman.
Brian is an honors graduate of the University of Texas School of Law. He is the author of 6 books and hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics.
Brian has successfully prosecuted many high profile cases. The national and international media has covered Brian's work on these complex cases.
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Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry sits down with Margaret Battersby Black and Seth Cardeli from Levin & Perconti about their successful $20 million verdict in a birth trauma case.
CASE SUMMARY: The case involved Anthony Harris, who was born with severe brain damage due to alleged medical errors during labor. Margaret and Seth discussed the complexities of birth trauma cases, emphasizing the importance of vigilance in monitoring fetal heart rates and recognizing signs of distress. They highlighted the multiple errors made by the medical team, including delayed C-section and misinterpretation of fetal heart monitor readings. The case was tried over three weeks in Cook County, Illinois, resulting in a significant verdict for the family. (Full details on the case)
Margaret Battersby Black BIO:
Margaret Battersby Black is an award-winning attorney who has played a key role in a number of nursing home and medical malpractice cases at Levin & Perconti. Her commitment to her practice has achieved noteworthy results for clients in all types of personal injury, nursing home and malpractice matters. Margaret is also committed to the advancement of women in the legal profession and serves as a mentor to law students and younger lawyers. In 2023 she was bestowed the “Carole K. Bellows Women of Influence” award which honors those who are advocates for action addressing women’s issues and promote involvement by women in the legal community at all levels. (READ FULL BIO)
Seth Cardeli BIO:
With more than a decade of experience, Seth L. Cardeli is a skilled trial attorney representing families across the country who have suffered as a result of medical negligence and malpractice, including children who have been injured during labor and delivery. Seth is well-versed in the many complex legal and medical issues surrounding birth injury claims. He regularly conducts educational seminars for other attorneys on important aspects of litigation, such as taking depositions and dealing with obstacles to the discovery process. Seth recently gave a lecture on Basic Fetal Heart Rate Patterns, Nomenclature, and Etiology, in which he taught lawyers how to interpret electronic fetal heart rate tracings used to gain valuable information about babies during labor. (READ FULL BIO)
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Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
In this episode of the Great Trials Podcast, Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey talk to renowned trial lawyer Joe Fried from Fried Goldberg LLC about the landmark case, Bradfield vs. Amazon Logistics, which resulted in a $16.2 million verdict.
The case involved an 8-year-old boy, Gabe Bradfield, who suffered severe injuries after being struck and dragged by an Amazon delivery van. (More details on the case here)
Joe Fried
Joe Fried is one of the original truck accident lawyers in the country and is widely recognized as a top attorney in the field. His passion for what he does shines through, and his reputation and record-setting results speak for themselves. Joe has litigated cases in more than 43 states, which gives him an unmatched perspective, and his leadership in the field of truck accident law and trucking safety is second to none.
Joe is known as one of the principal founders of truck accident law as a unique field. He has changed the way truck crash cases are handled, helping Fried Goldberg LLC earn a national reputation. Joe is credited with developing many of the best practices used by lawyers nationally in truck accident investigation and truck accident litigation.
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