Firm partner Brian Galligan was recently admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). The honor took place during an induction ceremony before approximately 730 colleagues held in September of 2024 during the yearly meeting of the college in Nashville, Tennessee.
Founded in 1950, the ACTL is one of the premiere legal associations in North America for trial lawyers in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowships in the college are by invitation only, and only 1% of attorneys in each state or province are admitted. Lawyers must have at least 15 years of trial experience before eligibility. Currently, there are about 5,700 members, including active Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction), Emeritus Fellows and Honorary Fellows.
Galligan focuses on giving voice to victims who endure injury due to medical malpractice, defective products, car crashes and other kinds of negligence. He has recovered tens of millions of dollars since passing the bar in 2000, including a $7 million wrongful death verdict against Farm Bureau Insurance Company in 2016, a $5.5 million medical malpractice verdict for a baby who permanently lost the regular use of her arm during childbirth in 2012 and $1.6 million verdict against DHL Express in 2007.
Galligan was recognized in 2012 by the American Association of Justice with the F. Scott Baldwin Award for Most Outstanding Young Trial Lawyer. He is active with the local and national trial lawyer associations, including the American Association of Justice and the Iowa Association for Justice. The Iowa Academy Trial Lawyers have recognized him. He was included on Best Lawyers in America lists in 2021 and 2024. He has been recognized with multiple Super Lawyers accolades for personal injury.
Being admitted to the American College of Trial Lawyers is a rare honor and signifies Brian Galligan’s high level of respect and recognition within the legal profession here in Iowa and nationally.