(Huntington Beach, CA.) (September 18-20, 2024)- Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that Keith Smith, a distinguished partner, will be participating in a highly anticipated session at the upcoming Construction Litigation Management (CLM) Construction Conference. The conference will be held at the Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, CA., from September 18-20, 2024.
This session, titled "Navigating the Fallout: Lessons Learned from Nuclear Verdicts for Construction Professionals", will feature a panel of experts including a trial lawyer, a claims manager, a jury consultant, and a builder. Specifically, Paul Balentine, Associate Vice President of Nationwide; Lee Wright, Vice President-Primary Casualty Claims of Tokio Marine HCC; David Zehner, Founding Partner of Zehner Trial Consulting and WSHB's own Partner Keith Smith. This engaging presentation will delve into the complexities of nuclear verdicts, with a specific focus on issues relevant to the construction industry.
Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights as the panel dissects a selection of recent high-profile cases. By examining what went wrong and identifying the factors that contributed to these runaway verdicts, the session will offer invaluable practice pointers and lessons aimed at avoiding unfavorable outcomes. Additionally, the panel will provide guidance on facilitating early resolutions and establishing best practices for future claims handling.
"Nuclear verdicts pose a significant challenge in the construction industry, and understanding the dynamics behind these cases is crucial for effective claims management," said Smith. "This session aims to provide professionals with the knowledge and strategies necessary to mitigate risks and enhance claims handling practices."
The CLM Construction Conference has been a leading event for over a decade, bringing together insurance and litigation professionals dedicated to the claims industry. This year's conference promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for networking, education, and professional development.
About Keith Smith
Keith Smith is a skilled trial lawyer known for his expertise in handling a wide variety of complex matters for both public entities and private clients. His practice areas span complex commercial litigation including issues involving construction, securities/FINRA, employment, directors and officers, catastrophic injury and professional liability matters. He also handles numerous matters involving sureties, including payment and performance bond claims, mechanic’s lien release bonds, litigation bonds, surety takeovers and defaults on construction projects.
Keith is regularly retained by public entities and private clients for his litigation prowess handling high exposure catastrophic injury matters. These include traumatic brain injury, wrongful death, amputations and disfigurement claims. Keith acts as National Coordinating Counsel for a major motion picture studio for all injury claims nationwide, is regularly retained as monitoring counsel by clients and insurers to oversee and then take to trial large exposure claims. Under this umbrella are all facets of injury matters for motor carriers, public entities and private companies in growing out of transportation related issues. He is a sought out speaker at regional and national conferences where he shares his knowledge and experience on cutting edge trial issues ranging from nuclear verdicts to the reptile theory.
In the construction arena, Keith regularly represents residential and commercial builders, public and private owners, construction managers and design professionals in complex construction law matters. He has a proven record of results in matters involving almost every conceivable issue that can arise from a construction project. This includes payment disputes, mechanic’s lien, stop notice, bond claims, construction defects, delay, acceleration and inefficiency claims, extra work, differing site, changed condition and change order claims, construction site injuries, bid protests, debarment proceedings and False Claims Act disputes. He returned a defense verdict in one of the first construction cases to proceed to trial in California involving SB800, another first as that trial was completely paperless. A compliment to Keith’s construction practice, he is also an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne Law School, where he teaches California Construction Law.
Wood Smith Henning & Berman: Your Trusted Partner
Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of over almost 500 lawyers across 41 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
At WSHB, our strength lies in our diverse and accomplished team of attorneys. We boast thought leaders and defense specialists in over 40 fields of practice, covering an extensive range of specialties. Founded in 1997, we are proud to be among the top ten law firms in the nation for diversity, female partners, female lawyers, and Hispanic lawyers. This rich tapestry of diversity forms the foundation of our success when presenting cases to juries of our peers, ensuring we understand the unique nuances underlying each claim.
Our expansive geographic footprint allows us to provide effective and efficient representation to clients nationwide, regardless of their location, background, or legal expertise. By prioritizing strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation, our dedicated attorneys work tirelessly to protect the interests of our clients. We have a track record of success, securing numerous victories such as summary judgments and defense verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a trial firm, we have taken over 2,000 cases to verdict, making us well-equipped to handle even the most complex and high-stakes litigation matters across the country.