I reported before about a competition for students at the University of Arizona Law School. It was a writing competition sponsored by alum and Arizona lawyer Richard Grand.

Richard Grand

The generosity of Richard and his wife Marcia fund that award, but their gifts range far beyond that. One of the other benefits of their contributions go to an annual oral argument competition. In it, students present damages evidence in personal injury cases. Student finalists argue how much in damages should be awarded in a civil lawsuit.

Congratulations to the law students who won the competition. Here is more information.

16TH ANNUAL RICHARD GRAND ARGUMENT COMPETITION AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Five law students received recognition and cash prizes for their lawyering skills in the 16th Annual Richard Grand Argument Competition at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

Student Winners of the April 4th competition were:

    • Nora Dillon (1st place – $2,000 prize)
    • Joe Ezzo (2nd place – $1,000 prize)
    • Jonathan Confer (3rd place – $500 prize)
    • Brian Chase & David Friedman ($250 prizes)

    The event is an oral argument competition that emphasizes the presentation of damages evidence in personal injury cases.  Student finalists present mock closing arguments on the issue of how much in damages should be awarded in a civil lawsuit.  Five local lawyers – Professor Paul Bennett, Brian Laird, Ryan Redmon, Julie Santander, and Ed Hopkins — Served as jurors and judges for the arguments.

The competition is funded by Richard Grand, a 1958 graduate of the University of Arizona College of Law.  Grand began his practice in Tucson as a deputy county attorney and, since 1962, his practice has been limited to representing plaintiffs.  On more than 100+ occasions he has obtained either a verdict or settlement in excess of $1 million.

In 1972, he received a jury verdict of $3.5 million, at that time the largest in the United States for a single injury.  Wry v. Dial 18 Ariz. App. 503 (1972).  In 1972 he founded the Inner Circle of Advocates, which is limited to 100 U.S. lawyers who have completed at least 50 personal injury trials and have at least one verdict in excess of $1 million for compensatory damages.  In 2002, the University of Arizona Alumni Association Board of Directors awarded the University of Arizona’s Professional Achievement Award to Richard Grand.  Mr. Grand was only the twelfth person to receive this prestigious award.

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