Russ Herman to speak at Bar's Annual Meeting.

A New Orleans trial lawyer who has won nearly 80 verdicts of at least $1 million will address a special program at this year's Bar Annual Meeting.

At a Saturday, June 24, event Russ M. Herman will discuss using the art of the storyteller to present cases to juries. His appearance is sponsored by the Palm Beach Gardens law firm of Slawson Cunningham Whalen & Stewart. Partner Jeanmarie Whalen is chair of this year's Annual Meeting Committee.

In addition to Herman's presentation, a new feature at this year's Annual Meeting is the "President's Showcase" that will highlight two events designed to help lawyers in their professional and personal lives.

Those events focus on elder law and tax law issues, with an emphasis on helping lawyers face those issues in their own lives. Like all CLE courses at the convention, there is no-charge for the three courses beyond the Annual Meeting registration fee. (A- schedule and registration form will be in the May Bar Journal.)

Bar President Edith Osman said the showcase seminars came about at the suggestion of Bar sections, who wanted help underwriting courses at the Annual Meeting that would be of particular benefit to Bar members.

"The idea was also to have some sort of competition; the best ones would get the President's blue ribbon award," Osman said. "These were particularly attractive because they could help lawyers in their everyday lives and practices."

With the Herman program, Osman noted it's the second year in a row the Bar has offered a high profile speaker on Saturday, which avoids conflicts with other convention events and also encourages Bar members to stay at the convention. Last year's seminar was very successful, she said, adding, "Herman is a nationally renowned speaker that normally you would have to pay a lot of money to hear."

A past president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Herman has tried over 125 cases to jury verdict, winning awards in all but three. He also has handled more than 75 cases where verdicts of $1 million or more were returned.

His three-hour...