Our Commitment To Excellence
We fight to help put our justice system back on track.
Keeping American justice working.
Welcome to a new way of looking at legal problems – a refreshing and honest approach to resolving legal disputes, based upon clear communication, honest case evaluation and reasonable billing. At Godfrey | Johnson, P.C., our philosophy is to keep the system working correctly to avoid unfair outcomes.
When your company is at risk.
Lawsuits are part of American life. Litigation can jeopardize the survival of your business. Commercial litigation often involves confusing issues and procedural wrangling that can lead jurors astray. Our knowledge of the courtroom, coupled with our understanding of your business can help build a roadmap to a fair resolution.
The Jury System
American democracy towers above all other systems of government, and the constitutional right to trial by jury in a civil case is one of its most essential and unique attributes. Critics of our system would take away this right to impartial justice, but we hold in our hands the power to prove those critics wrong. Ours is a government of, by and for the people – and it is ordinary people who serve on juries. Our jury system, like most aspects of our democratic structure, is designed to avoid the tyrannical pitfalls of “One-Man Rule.” Thomas Jefferson said, “I consider trial by jury as the only anchor ever yet imagined by man, by which a government can be held to the principles of its constitution.”
Each member of a typical American jury has the opportunity to directly and individually contribute to the administration of justice in our society. Unlike a general election, where one vote rarely makes a difference, the opinions and decisions of each juror are tremendously important. Unlike an individual judge, a jury brings to the decision process the combined life experience of 6 to 12 individuals – more than 250 years of learning and wisdom – to the resolution of disputes.
Because we believe in the American system of government and justice, we have devoted our careers to the refinement and improvement of the American jury system.
Trial Technology
The meaning and importance of testimony and documents is only as clear as the presentation itself. When an exhibit is presented during witness testimony, it is important to be able to show a jury the key passages of an exhibit instantly, and to direct questions to the relevant passages so that a jury can see and hear at the same time.
Nothing is more distracting for a jury than when an attorney dives into his files during the questioning of a witness. Using the latest in trial presentation technology, we are able to significantly speed our access to key exhibits and testimony for use in the courtroom in order to make the most of valuable court time, which allows jurors and judges to maintain their attention on the evidence.
Trial Preparation
Judges and juries appreciate thorough preparation. They want cases to be understandable, and most don’t respond well to gamesmanship. The litigation system seems to be designed to encourage procedural wrangling, but in truth, cases are decided by people who base their decisions on evidence and understanding.
Trials can be unpredictable, so your lawyers must be prepared for anything. We work hard to gather and evaluate all relevant details of a matter in order to explain your position clearly to a judge and jury. When there is much at stake, it is essential to be represented by attorneys who dig deeply into the history of a dispute, as well as the governing law, to be able to present your case effectively, clearly and fairly.