For Immediate Release: Wednesday, July 23, 1997

For More Information Contact: TLPJ, 202-797-8600

Lawrence Baron of Oregon Wins 1997 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

Attorney Lawrence Baron of Portland, Oregon, was awarded the 1997 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award by The Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ) Foundation at its 15th Anniversary Gala July 22 in San Diego for his work on Kirkwood v. General Motors. The nationally prestigious award is bestowed annually upon the trial lawyer or lawyers who have made the greatest contribution to the public interest by trying or settling a precedent-setting case.

"Larry's work on this case illustrates the ability of trial attorneys to bring justice to those who need representation to fight the most powerful and wealthy corporations in this country," said outgoing TLPJ Foundation President William E. Snead of Albuquerque, New Mexico. "We are indeed proud to honor him for his tireless work and successful verdict."

Baron took on a case that virtually no one else would have pursued, persuaded the Oregon state legislature to change the law so it could be brought, and then fought off over 150 motions by the defendant to win justice for his client in Kirkwood v. General Motors.

Plaintiff Anne Kirkwood was horribly burned and disfigured when, through no fault of her own, her car collided with a 1976 General Motors (GM) pickup truck with side-saddle gas tanks. Her granddaughter burned to death, and her grandson suffered serious burns in the crash. But Oregon's statute of repose -- which banned any lawsuit against a manufacturer whose product was more than eight years old -- simply precluded any suit.

Baron took the case anyway and launched an effort to have the law changed -- even though the Oregon state legislature was in the midst of passing "tort reform" measures. GM hired eight lobbyists to fight the effort, but Baron hired a lobbyist, effectively "tried" the case to the legislature, and prevailed. He then engaged in a knock-down, drag-out litigation battle with GM. Finally, on the eve of trial, GM agreed to settle the case on terms that are confidential, but that plainly make sure that all of Ms. Kirkwood's needs have been cared for.

Baron's legislative and legal victories paved the way for other suits based on injuries sustained from exploding side-saddle gas tanks and also prompted the introduction of a bill to revise Oregon's statute of repose into a statute of useful life.

The other finalists for the 1997 Trial Lawyer of the Year Award were also honored at the gala for their contributions:

Daniel C. Cathcart of Los Angeles' Magana, Cathcart & McCarthy, for his work on Roxas v. Marcos.

Paul R. Cox of Burns, Bryant, Hinchey, Cox & Rockefeller in Dover, New Hampshire, for his work on Irving v. United States.

James Ferraro of Miami's Ferraro & Associates, for his work on Castillo v. E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company and Pine Island Farms.

Michael D. Hausfeld and Cyrus Mehri of Cohen, Milstein, Hausfeld & Toll in Washington, D.C., and Max W. Berger, Daniel L. Berger, and Steven B. Singer of Bernstein, Litowitz, Berger & Grossmann, for their work on Roberts v. Texaco, Inc.

Walter J. Lack, Gary A. Praglin, and Jill P. McDonnell of Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack in Los Angeles, Thomas V. Girardi, Robert W. Finnerty, and Carrie J. Rognlien of Girardi & Keese in Los Angeles, and Edward Masry of Masry & Vititoe in Toluca Lake, California, for their work on Anderson v. Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Aaron Simon of Kazan, McClain, Edises, Simon & Abrams in Oakland, California, for his work on Rosario v. Diamond Shamrock Corp.

Robert A. Swift of Philadelphia's Kohn, Swift & Graf, and Sherry P. Broder of Honolulu, for their work on Ferdinand E. Marcos Human Rights Litigation.

Nathalie M. Walker of the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund in New Orleans and Diane Curran of Harmon, Curran & Spielberg in Washington, D.C., for their work on In the Matter of Louisiana Energy Services, L.P.

Reed Zars, of Laramie, Wyoming, for his work on Sierra Club v. Public Service Company of Colorado.

Other program highlights at the TLPJ Foundation's 15th Anniversary Gala included a keynote speech by consumer advocate Ralph Nader, the induction of Dallas' Fred Baron as the new TLPJ Foundation President, and the presentation of the Public Justice Achievement Award to the entire litigation team in Cox v. Shell Oil. This award is presented to volunteer attorneys who have won major victories in TLPJ cases concluded during the past year.