The Orange County Trial Lawyers Association (OCTLA) recently announced the winners of this year’s Trial Lawyer of the Year awards. The winners are:
- Gregory G. Rizio, Trial Lawyer of the Year; Personal Injury
- Jerry N. Gans, Trial Lawyer of the Year; Medical Malpractice
- Richard E. Donahoo, Trial Lawyer of the Year; Government Liability
- Jeffrey J. Greenman, Trial Lawyer of the Year; Young Gun
- Anne Andrews, Distinguished Achievement
According to the association, these attorneys have demonstrated exceptional trial skills, commitment to their clients and dedication to the principals of legal ethics and preserving access to the civil justice system. The award winners will be honored at the annual Top Gun Trial Lawyer of the Year Awards Program on Saturday, November 21, at the Fairmont in Newport Beach.
In conjunction with the awards program, OCTLA will be holding a Silent Auction. All auction proceeds will benefit Miracles for Kids, a nonprofit serving children living with life threatening illnesses and their families by creating stability when families are crumbling from the financial and emotional devastation of fighting for their child’s life.
Richard E. Donahoo is being recognized for his work in Hernandez v. County of Orange, a governmental liability case involving an auto-pedestrian accident in which a mother and her daughter were struck in an Orange County crosswalk by a hit-and-run driver. The 3-year old daughter was killed. The surviving mother sued the negligent driver and the County of Orange, alleging the crosswalk was a dangerous condition. The County argued there was no liability and that liability was shared by the driver and the plaintiff. At trial, the jury returned a verdict of $7.43 million, and the court entered judgment, including over $3.05 million in damages against the County. The case resolved before appeal.
Read more about the case in our earlier blog “Jury Finds County of Orange Shares Liability in Crosswalk Death, Awards $7.4 Million”.
