Benedict Morelli’s path to becoming a trial lawyer was set during his tenure as a law clerk at a personal injury firm in the 1970s. Witnessing the profound impact of courtroom proceedings, he knew that his calling lay in representing clients and delivering justice. After gaining admission to the New York State Bar, Morelli climbed the ranks at the firm, ultimately attaining the position of senior partner, before leaving to found his own practice in 1998.
“I wanted to establish a dynamic personal injury firm where we see every case as an opportunity to refine our skills, deepen our understanding of the legal profession and best represent our clients,” says Morelli. “Each case demands a unique approach tailored to its specific circumstances; to be successful, you have to think on your feet and adapt to the situation at hand.”
This approach has resulted in notable verdicts, including a $102 million judgment for a worker who sustained severe injuries after a fall at Live Nation’s Jones Beach Theater, a $95 million verdict in a high-profile sexual harassment trial (one of the largest single-plaintiff sexual harassment verdicts on record), a $62 million verdict in a construction accident involving a 20-year-old worker, a $22.5 million verdict in a polio vaccine case (among the largest vaccine verdicts in U.S. history) and a $41 million verdict against the City of New York in a wrongful death case.
One of the most important aspects of our representation is the respect we show in the courtroom.”
“We understand the vital role of storytelling in the courtroom,” notes partner David Sirotkin. “It’s essential for an attorney to convey a client’s experiences and identity to effectively connect with the jury and ensure they fully understand the case; we take pride in developing close relationships with our clients and their families, which enables us to best communicate their stories to the jury.”
“One of the most important aspects of our representation is the respect we show in the courtroom,” says partner Alexander Morelli. “We cultivate a genuine connection with the jury, establishing a trust and mutual understanding that allows them to connect with our clients and their case and understand their life-altering injuries and suffering.”
Given its success in the courtroom, the Morelli Law Firm was recently selected by Trial Lawyer’s University to establish a trial skills program in the Northeast. The program, which was held in New York, brought together lawyers from across the country to learn from Benedict Morelli and his team, as well as other attorneys, about essential trial practice skills. Topics included “The Playbook for How We Upheld the Largest TBI Pain and Suffering Award in New York State History,” “Opening Statements and Perspective on Being a Successful Trial Lawyer” and “The Anatomy of a Trial.”
