S. Gerald Litvin, Dean of Philadelphia Trial Bar, Joins Morgan Lewis
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date:
09/13/2004 -
news source:
Press Releases
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PHILADELPHIA, September 13, 2004: S. Gerald Litvin, considered by many to be the dean of the Philadelphia trial bar, is joining Morgan Lewis in the new position of Senior Counsel, the firm announced today. Litvin has tried more than 200 cases to verdict and has trained more than 1,000 trial lawyers in the art of courtroom persuasion. He enjoys a national reputation as a trial advocate as well as a teacher of trial advocacy. Morgan Lewis will be only the third firm with which Litvin will have practiced during his legendary career.
Attorneys throughout the firm, which ranks among America’s 10 largest with more than 1200 lawyers, are enthusiastic over the prospect of working with Mr. Litvin. Steven R. Wall, Leader of the firm’s Labor and Employment Law Practice, and one of dozens of Morgan Lewis lawyers who has attended Mr. Litvin’s Academy of Advocacy, said, "Every lawyer who has attended a Litvin lecture or watched him deliver a closing argument, and followed his remarkable career, has no doubt wondered what it would be like to work with him side-by-side on a daily basis. We are incredibly fortunate to have that chance now. He adds extraordinary depth across the board to our litigation teams, not just as an in-house advisor and developer of talent, but as a hands-on trial attorney."
Mr. Litvin, who has coached his peers throughout the United States and abroad, has refined the intricate skills and subtle strategy of successful courtroom litigation into an art form, and that kind of unique experience adds considerable value to the representation of the diverse clients of a global corporate law firm. James D. Pagliaro, Leader of the Litigation Practice, said Morgan Lewis clients will immediately benefit from the addition of Mr. Litvin to the firm. "He is so accomplished, and so passionate about the practice of the law," said Mr. Pagliaro, "that you’ll see him hit the ground running." He added, "Jerry has long been a role model for trial attorneys in the greater Philadelphia region and throughout the country. We expect his new position as Senior Counsel and his new interdisciplinary role at Morgan Lewis to become the industry practice standard for others to follow. The bar doesn’t get set any higher."
Mr. Litvin, who has been the recipient of numerous local and national professional association and peer-group awards and accolades over the years, says he relishes his new, multi-faceted role with the firm. "Over the years I have had the pleasure of training about 40 Morgan Lewis lawyers, and they have invariably been ‘the best of the best.’ Several of them – including Jami McKeon, Michael Banks and Gordon Cooney -- are among the brightest stars of the Academy’s superbly talented faculty. I can honestly say that I have been learning more from them in recent years than, perhaps, they once learned from me.
"I know from first-hand experience in working with Morgan Lewis’ attorneys in an academic setting as well as from my experience in litigating against Morgan Lewis, that their lawyers represent the highest standards of ethical practice as well as professional competence."
Francis M. Milone, Chair of Morgan Lewis, said the firm is honored to have "one of America’s foremost trial lawyers, advocates, academics and mentors" become an integral part of the formidable litigation infrastructure that has been a hallmark of the firm’s superior client service. "We pride ourselves on being innovators in every phase of law firm operations – including professional development and client service – and Jerry Litvin’s appointment represents another pioneering step for Morgan Lewis."
Mr. Litvin, a native Philadelphian who attended the city’s public schools and graduated with honors from Temple University (where he was president of the student body and captain of the varsity fencing team) and cum laude at Penn Law School, has been married to Arlene F. Litvin for the past 51 years. The couple has four children and seven grandchildren. He began his career as an associate at the firm of Freedman, Landy & Lorry, becoming a partner in 17 months and spending a large part of his life in the courtroom. Mr. Litvin started his own firm in 1968 which ultimately became Litvin, Blumberg, Matusow & Young, with which he was associated for 36 years (the firm dissolved earlier this year). Following his graduation from law school in May 1954, Mr. Litvin spent the following year as a Gowen Fellow at the Penn Law School and then spent two years on active duty in the Army. He has practiced law continuously since his discharge from active military service in April 1957.
About Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP: With 1,200 lawyers in 19 offices worldwide, Morgan Lewis offers seamless service across practice areas and offices. A fully integrated, multi-practice global law firm, Morgan Lewis assists clients with all of their legal needs, from day-to-day business decisions to the most complex global deals and litigation. For more information on the firm and Mr. Litvin visit www.morganlewis.com