Los Angeles – The Civil Justice Program (CJP) at Loyola Law School, Los Angeles will host its 11th- Annual Tribute to the Champions of Justice dinner and award ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 8, at the Beverly Hilton. This year’s event honors attorneys Richard (Dick) Carroll, founding partner at Carroll, Kelly, Trotter, Franzen, McKenna & Peabody; and Amy Fisch Solomon, partner at Girardi | Keese. The reception begins at 6 p.m.; dinner starts at 7 p.m.
The awards are designed to honor those who make significant contributions to the civil justice system. Honorees’ careers are marked by professional excellence, technical proficiency and uncompromising integrity.
“Both Dick and Amy are amazingly talented trial lawyers. They’ve both also served as visionary leaders of major bar organizations,” said John Nockleby, Loyola Law School professor and director of the Civil Justice Program. “We are delighted to honor two icons of the trial bar.”
Carroll has established himself and his firm as preeminent defense representatives for medical professionals. A past president of the California Medical Legal Community, he was named one of the top 10 medical malpractice attorneys in Southern California by the Los Angeles Business Journal. He has served as lead counsel in more than 125 cases. Universally known for his collegial work ethic, Carroll earned the Lee Wenzel Civility Award in recognition of his high moral character.
Brandon Zucker v. Walt Disney Company, she secured a settlement that included compensation to the family of a toddler severely injured on a theme-park ride, as well as improved safety at Disney parks. Outside court, she serves on the boards of the Western Justice Center and the Inner City Law Center. At the CJP, she serves on the Steering Committee and regularly lectures at its annual Journalist Law School.
“Having been a part of the Civil Justice Program at Loyola Law School since its inception, and chairing the dinner for several years, it was especially touching and meaningful to me to be tapped for this award. I am humbled beyond belief,” said Solomon.
“I am as proud of this award as anything I’ve ever accomplished professionally,” said Carroll. “To be considered in the company of lawyers that have received this honor is humbling. I love the profession and everything about it. To be acknowledged at this level is such an honor, and I am grateful for it.”
Solomon, a 1987 alumna of Loyola Law School, tenaciously pursues justice and obtains remedies not only for her clients, but the public at large. In Brandon Zucker v. Walt Disney Company, she secured a settlement that included compensation to the family of a toddler severely injured on a theme-park ride, as well as improved safety at Disney parks. Outside court, she serves on the boards of the Western Justice Center and the Inner City Law Center. At the CJP, she serves on the Steering Committee and regularly lectures at its annual Journalist Law School.
“Having been a part of the Civil Justice Program at Loyola Law School since its inception, and chairing the dinner for several years, it was especially touching and meaningful to me to be tapped for this award. I am humbled beyond belief,” said Solomon.
Past recipients include: 2014 – Duke DeHaas, senior trial lawyer and shareholder, La Follette, Johnson, DeHaas, Fesler & Ames and William M. Shernoff, senior and founding partner of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP; 2013 – Paul R. Fine ’72, founding partner, Daniels, Fine, Israel, Schonbuch
& Lebovits, LLP and Christine D. Spagnoli ’86, partner, Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP; 2012 – David J. O’Keefe, Bonne, Bridges, Mueller, O’Keefe & Nichols and Gary M. Paul ’74, Waters, Kraus & Paul, LLP; 2011 – Michael J. Bidart, Shernoff Bidart Echeverria LLP and Donna Marie Melby, Paul Hastings LLP; 2010 – Samuel A. “Skip” Keesal Jr., Keesal, Young & Logan and Brian Panish, Panish Shea & Boyle; 2009 – Bob Baker, Baker Keener & Nahra LLP and Gretchen Nelson, Kreindler & Kreindler LLP; 2008 – Raymond Boucher, Kiesel, Boucher & Larson, LLP and John Collins, founding partner of Collins, Collins, Muir & Stewart LLP; 2007 – Thomas Jerome Nolan, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP and Mark P. Robinson Jr., Robinson Calcagnie & Robinson, Inc.; 2006 – Bruce A. Broillet, Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP and Edith Matthai, Robie & Matthai, A Professional Corporation; 2005 – James J. Brosnahan Jr., Morrison & Foerster LLP- San Francisco and Thomas V. Girardi ’64, Girardi | Keese.
The Beverly Hilton hotel is located at 9876 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Learn more atwww.lls.edu/tributedinner. Members of the media who wish to attend should contact Brian Costello, assistant director of marketing & communications, at 213-736-1444 (o) or brian.costello@lls.edu.
About the Civil Justice Program
The Civil Justice Program was created in 2005 to focus research and public attention on the civil justice system. The Civil Justice Program convenes periodic conferences, seminars and presentations; promotes and publishes scholarly research; and initiates cross-disciplinary projects. Its programs include the annual Journalist Law School, a four-day legal bootcamp for reporters, editors and producers that has educated more than 350 journalists.
About Loyola Law School, Los Angeles
Located on an award-winning Frank Gehry-designed campus in downtown Los Angeles, Loyola Law School is home to prominent faculty, dedicated students and cutting-edge programs. The Law School strives to instill in students the knowledge they need to excel on their chosen paths. It dedicates itself to preparing students for the rigors of practice with an extensive portfolio of practical-training opportunities, a 17,000-strong alumni network and a focus on social justice. Learn more at www.lls.edu.
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