GTP CLASSIC: John Duff & Alex Hilliard │Denise Marez and Juan Perez v. Isaac G. Rodriguez, Sr. d/b/a I & R Trucking and Rodriguez Trucking│$18 Million Verdict

The Great Trials Podcast

This week we’re replaying a classic episode where Steve and Yvonne interview John Duff and Alex Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzalez LLP (https://www.hmglawfirm.com/).

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Case Details:

Texas trial attorneys John Duff and Alex Hilliard of Hilliard Martinez Gonzales LLP share how they secured justice for the family of 60-year-old truck driver Juan Perez, who died after falling through Rodriguez Trucking’s rotted roof onto a cement floor 12 feet below. Juan was a dedicated employee of Rodriguez Trucking for 17 years, contrary to the defense’s claims that he was not employed by the company at the time of the incident, and was asked to help repair the roof without a safety harness or training of any kind, both of which resulted in a serious Office of Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) violation. A San Patricio County, Texas jury found Rodriguez Trucking owner Isaac G. Rodriguez, Sr. negligent and returned a verdict of $18 million, including $10 million in punitive damages.

Guest Bios:

Alex Hilliard

Alex Hilliard is a dedicated advocate for those who have been injured or have lost a loved one due to another party’s negligence. Alex is committed to championing his clients’ interests, understanding the challenges they face, and helping them secure compensation for their losses.

Alex’s top priority is achieving the most just case resolution for his clients, be it trial or settlement, which is seen in his tireless investigation and persistence. He has distinguished himself with the loyalty and support he shows to his clients in his determination to ensure that their voices are heard.

His kindhearted nature makes him perfect for his position in personal injury and wrongful death cases – he handles clients with the sensitivity that is required yet is committed to researching and crafting a strategy that strengthens each case. He brings passion on behalf of those he serves and shares empathy with those victims of tragedy at all times.

Having clerked at HMG for three years while attending St. Mary’s Law School, Alex worked on many aspects of personal injury and wrongful death litigation, including the high-profile ignition-switch litigation against General Motors. HMG represented injury victims and families of those killed in accidents caused by GM’s defective ignition switch and their concealment of safety defects. This multi-district litigation is considered the single largest product liability litigation in US history, resulting in a $575 million settlement.

In September 2018, Alex was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Litigation Committee for the MSU/Nassar Class-Action in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.

Currently, Alex is part of a class action litigation team that represents diesel truck owners fighting against U.S. auto manufacturers — Ford, General Motors, FCA (Chrysler) — for allegedly selling millions of diesel trucks equipped with defective CP4 fuel injection pumps that disintegrate and destroy the truck’s engine, leaving consumers with repair bills that range from $8,000.00 to $20,000.00 per vehicle.

Alex is a sought-after speaker, and he regularly presents on cutting-edge legal topics. This year, Alex will address audiences across the country about how law firms can improve results by conducting in-house mock trials. In the past year, Alex has lectured at the Advanced Personal Injury Law Conference in Dallas on the latest tactics in the financial aspect of budgeting a personal injury lawsuit and was a featured speaker at the Texas ALP 2018 Fall Education Conference. Alex regularly speaks at continuing education events for the Texas Bar College and the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Trial, Civil Appellate, and Personal Injury Trial Law, and was honored to speak at the 2018 LitiQuest Litiquest 2018 conference at Google Headquarters in New York.

Alex often gives back to his community by working with local middle school, high school, and college mock trial teams. He enjoys working with the students and helping them expand their knowledge of mock trial techniques.

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John Duff

John C. Duff earned his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law in San Antonio, Texas, after graduating Presidential Scholar from Texas A&M University-Commerce. While pursuing his Juris Doctorate Degree, John was involved in St. Mary’s School of Law’s External Mock Trial Advocacy Program. John received numerous awards for his trial advocacy skills, including Best Defense Advocate at the Capital City Challenge in Washington D.C.

John was also the leader of the team that brought St. Mary’s its first national championship from the William Daniel National Invitational Mock Trial Competition in Atlanta, Georgia. For his relentless dedication and performance on the St. Mary’s Mock Trial team, John was inducted into the Order of the Barristers National Honor Society in April 2016.

While earning his Juris Doctorate degree and competing for the St. Mary’s Mock Trial team, John also gained extensive real-world practice experience clerking for three criminal defense attorneys in San Antonio specializing in federal criminal and juvenile law.

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Free Resources:

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2