Putting the “Trial” Back in “Trial Lawyer”: Tom Spooner and Tyler Staggs Join ABOTA
The invitation-only trial lawyer organization includes just 70 of Oregon’s 12,000 lawyers.
“Put the trial back in trial lawyer” has long been a goal at Spooner Staggs Trial Lawyers. Tom Spooner and Tyler Staggs’ admission to the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) marks a meaningful step in that work.
They join ~70 Oregon lawyers who belong to the organization – just 0.6% of the state’s 12,000 lawyers.
Trial experience must be documented
ABOTA exclusive membership is by invitation only. Candidates undergo a detailed review of their courtroom experience and professional reputation, with approval required at both the local and national levels.
The application requires a detailed accounting of qualifying trials, including case information, judges, and trial dates. That documentation allows the organization to evaluate the tangible experience behind an applicant’s résumé.
Tyler qualified for Associate rank by having 20+ civil jury trials to a verdict or hung jury as lead counsel. With 19 jury trials, Tom was admitted at the Member rank – we expect him to be in a position to qualify for Associate after his next jury trial.
What that experience brings to an injured client’s case
Leading a jury trial means making decisions while the case unfolds: questioning witnesses, responding to unexpected testimony, and helping jurors understand what the evidence establishes.
Tom and Tyler developed their early trial practices representing insurance companies before turning their experience toward representing injured people. Today, they handle catastrophic injury cases, insurance bad-faith disputes, and claims involving rideshare and delivery (“gig economy”) companies.
Congratulations to Oregon’s new members
Spooner Staggs congratulates the four other newly admitted Oregon ABOTA members:
- Lloyd Bernstein
- Chad M. Colton
- John Devlin
- Charles R. Henderson
ABOTA brings together plaintiff and defense lawyers and judges to preserve civil jury trials and uphold professional standards. For Oregon lawyers considering a referral or seeking counsel to work alongside them at trial, we welcome a conversation.