Shook Prepares Next Gen Lawyers for Trial Readiness, ALM Reports

American Lawyer Media featured a Shook trial team that obtained a $189 million plaintiff verdict for a client. Led by Partner Charlie Eblen, the trial team consisted of Partners Eric Hobbs and Jason Scott, along with Associate Caroline Gieser, who served as third chair. The Am Law Litigation Daily Editor/Columnist Ross Todd interviewed Shook lawyers, “A Case Study for Getting an Associate Stand-Up Experience in a High-Stakes Trial.” 

Eblen, who is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, told ALM about Shook’s commitment to develop associates.

“The partners I’ve always been around in my career are always very committed to ensuring that young lawyers get opportunities. And the sooner the better, because the sooner you start getting those opportunities, the sooner you build your competence, and can add to the skill set that builds out your ability to be a first-chair trial lawyer,” said Eblen.

As a fourth-year associate, Gieser had the opportunity to work with clients immediately to build trust. Hobbs said Gieser’s “fearlessness” helped her get even more opportunities.

“Caroline’s willing to commit and figure it out,” he said. “She was willing to dive in and put in some late nights—sometimes the night before witnesses went on taking on some very complex issues and important facts in the case.”

ALM selected the case, CPI Security Systems, Inc. v. Vivint Smart Home Inc., No. 3:20-00504 (U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina), as a runner-up for its “Litigators of the Week” recognition.