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10:30 am
Diplomat 1-2
Each year, there are highway accident trials that don’t result in a nuclear verdict, so what is the common factor that unites these defense wins? During this session, we will have an engaging and interactive discussion about how to get ahead of the tactics used by the plaintiff bar and how to combat those tactics and wrong messaging about the trucking industry for a defense win. Our dialogue will highlight the challenges faced when defending highway accident litigation as well as litigation techniques to counter a coordinated and sophisticated plaintiff’s bar.
Moderator: E. Holland "Holly" Howanitz
Panelists: Pamela Blass Bracher, Ed Leonard, Melissa Loberg, Ph.D.
Speaker
E. Holland "Holly" Howanitz
Managing Partner, Tyson & Mendes
Holly Howanitz joined Tyson & Mendes this year and is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Jacksonville office. She focuses her practice on defending claims in matters of general negligence, premises liability, transportation and construction defect litigation, retail,
Pamela Blass Bracher
Deputy General Counsel, American Trucking Associations
Within her 17 years in the transportation industry, Pam has held various leadership positions and defended truck accident and cargo claims. Pam began her transportation career by moving in-house with U.S. Xpress, Inc.
Ed Leonard
Partner, Tyson & Mendes
Edward Leonard is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Orange County office with 42 years of litigation and trial experience. His practice focuses on general liability matters with a long-term emphasis on transportation cases involving the trucking industry and logistics.
Melissa Loberg, Ph.D.
Principal Litigation Consultant, Loberg Litigation Consulting LLC
Dr. Melissa Loberg, Principal Litigation Consultant at Loberg Litigation Consulting, has been conducting research, speaking, teaching and publishing articles on the intersection of psychology and the law for the past twenty-two years.