Attorney Trial Experience
When choosing a personal injury attorney, trial experience matters. At Lawrence & Associates, our attorneys don’t just settle cases; we are prepared to take them to trial when it means fighting for the compensation our clients deserve. With years of courtroom experience in Ohio and Kentucky, our legal team understands the strategies, procedures, and pressure of litigation. Whether it’s a car accident, workers’ compensation, or complex injury claim, we know how to present a strong case to a jury. If you’re searching for a law firm with proven trial success, Lawrence & Associates is ready to stand up for you in negotiations or in court.
Justin Lee Lawrence
Between 2005 and 2010, Justin focused heavily on criminal defense work, trying approximately 100 cases. While most were one-day trials, this period provided him with extensive courtroom experience early in his career. He also handled several personal injury trials during that time, including two significant admiralty cases, one in Pittsburgh and another in Cincinnati, each lasting about a week. In 2009, Justin successfully represented the first Black personal injury plaintiffs to win a trial in Gallatin County, where his office was then located.
In 2012, he experienced one of the most intense stretches of his litigation career, handling six personal injury trials over the course of eight months. Each case lasted between three days and two weeks, with most either going to trial or resolving just days before.
Justin tried a significant case in the Southern District of Ohio involving a barge worker who was rendered quadriplegic after falling from a cell at an unloading facility. The incident occurred because the worker had been forced to climb without proper safety equipment. During trial, a pivotal moment arose when the defense’s medical expert attempted to argue that the plaintiff’s emotional trauma predated the accident, relying on fabricated childhood abuse records. Through effective cross-examination, Justin and his team exposed the falsehoods, demonstrating that the emotional suffering was a direct result of the workplace injury. The jury responded with a verdict of over $11 million. One of the judge’s rulings during the case was later published in federal case law.
Justin represented an African American couple in what became the first personal injury trial involving Black plaintiffs in Gallatin County. The clients were respected small business owners whose integrity and professionalism were evident throughout the proceedings. The defense attempted to undermine their credibility by casting doubt on their financial success. However, during cross-examination of the defense’s expert accountant, Justin methodically refuted the claims demonstrating that the couple’s tax returns accurately reflected healthy business income and that the deductions in question were standard, legitimate accounting practices. The jury recognized the truth and ultimately delivered a favorable verdict, securing justice for the couple.
In one of his most complex cases, Justin led a two-and-a-half-week trial involving a catastrophic workplace fall from a conveyor belt. Central to the case was helping the jury understand exactly how the incident occurred and why the safety measures failed. To make the mechanics of the fall clear, Justin constructed a full-scale model of the conveyor system inside the courtroom, complete with lanyard attachment points. This physical demonstration allowed jurors to see firsthand how the safety equipment failed to protect the worker. The compelling visual evidence played a critical role in helping the jury grasp the severity of the hazard and contributed significantly to the successful outcome of the case.
Why These Cases Matter—and Why You’d Choose Lawrence & Associates
“Across these trials, one thing stands out: I don’t just tell juries what happened—I show them. Whether by exposing falsehoods, dismantling distortions, or physically rebuilding the scene, I aim to bring truth into the courtroom in the clearest, most compelling way.
- In the barge case, I confronted dishonesty head-on—not just the accident, but the lies meant to blur it.
- In Gallatin County, I stood alongside clients who dared to break barriers and refused to let their integrity be questioned.
- In the conveyor belt case, I translated complex workplace realities into visceral, unforgettable evidence.
Behind me stands a team that shares my commitment:
- Peter Tripp, my partner and Chief Operations Officer, brings unwavering empathy, communication, and trial discipline. He understands that when families are destabilized by injury, they need clear answers, firmness, and support.
- Meagan Tate, my partner leading our Property & Casualty Insurance Claims Team, brings a rare insider perspective. After years representing insurance carriers, she switched sides—and now she uses that inside knowledge to dismantle their games and get real justice for clients.
At Lawrence & Associates, we live by our Client Bill of Rights—including the right to understand, to a full analysis, and to prompt responses. We’re not just your attorneys—we’re your allies, here to walk every step of the journey with you.” – Attorney Justin Lawrence
Trusted by Clients. Respected in the Courtroom.
Meagan Tate has served as second chair in two trials during her time as a defense attorney, one in 2013 and another in 2020. Since joining Lawrence & Associates, she has led two trials: a bench trial which involved a workers’ compensation appeal, and a personal injury jury trial.
In addition to her trial experience, Meagan has handled two appellate matters. One involved a personal injury case, and the other concerned a property and casualty dispute, reflecting her range of experience in both trial and appellate litigation.
Peter Tripp has successfully handled four jury trials and one bench trial, in addition to representing clients in dozens of administrative hearings. His experience spans a broad range of proceedings, reflecting his strong advocacy skills in both courtroom and administrative settings.
Final Thoughts from Justin Lawrence
“I tried these cases not because they were easy—but precisely because they needed someone who would fight. I don’t settle for the defense’s half-truths, I don’t accept shortcuts, and I never lose sight of the people they represent. If you’re hurt, you deserve a lawyer who will stand against deception, who will bring clarity in the courtroom, and who won’t rest until your story is told and your justice is secured.”