When the stakes are at their highest, the outcome of a legal matter often comes down to the quality of the trial team standing beside you. Verdicts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, settlements that set national records, and defense outcomes that protect major employers all require a rare combination of preparation, courtroom command, and sustained experience. Fewer than a handful of firms in the country can point to that level of results across such a broad range of complex civil litigation.
Callahan & Blaine, PC has built exactly that reputation over more than four decades of practice. With 29 highly experienced trial lawyers and senior litigators, the firm handles the full spectrum of complex civil matters, from catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death to business and commercial disputes, insurance litigation, employment defense, and professional liability. Our civil litigation practices bring consistent strategy and trial skill to every matter, regardless of complexity or size.
A Record of Historic Trial Results
Few firms anywhere in the country can point to a track record like ours. Our most prominent result is a $934 million jury verdict following a three-month trial, the largest in Orange County history. That outcome did not happen by accident. It reflects years of preparation, rigorous case strategy, and a legal team willing to take the most demanding cases all the way through trial.
Our results extend well beyond that single verdict. We secured a $50 million settlement in a complex municipal liability matter, one of the highest personal injury settlements in United States history. We have also achieved a unanimous 12-0 defense verdict following a two-month trial for one of Orange County’s largest employers in a major employment case. Across personal injury, business, and employment matters, our results reflect what happens when preparation meets precision in the courtroom.
The Depth of Our Trial Team
Complex civil litigation is not a single-attorney discipline. The most significant cases require coordinated teams of seasoned litigators who can manage discovery, motion practice, and trial strategy simultaneously. Our 29 trial lawyers bring that depth to every engagement. These attorneys are not just generalists filling roles; they are senior litigators with significant trial experience across multiple practice areas.
Research from RAND Corporation on civil jury verdict trends confirms that plaintiffs fare best in automobile personal injury and business cases, where win rates reach roughly 66 percent. That context makes our verdicts and outcomes even more significant, because we have consistently achieved results that stand apart from what courts see in an average year. Our complex business litigation practice, for example, reflects the same standard of preparation that has produced our largest verdicts.
Edward Susolik and the Value of Mediation Skill
Leading this team is CEO and President Edward Susolik, one of the nation’s most respected trial and mediation attorneys. Over the course of 35 years, Susolik has handled more than 2,000 mediations as an attorney, a volume that reflects not only his longevity in the field but the trust that clients and opposing counsel place in his judgment. This depth of mediation experience is a strategic asset. It means our clients are represented by someone who understands both how trials are won and how settlements are structured at the highest level.
Susolik’s recognition in Super Lawyers and his standing as a leading mediation attorney are not ceremonial distinctions. They reflect consistent performance across decades of high-stakes matters. When you review our case results, the common thread is an attorney and a firm that understands how to position cases for the best possible outcome, whether that means taking a matter through a three-month jury trial or negotiating a landmark settlement. You can also learn more about our firm’s background and approach to see how that philosophy has shaped our practice over more than 40 years.
Hire Callahan & Blaine, PC to Handle Your Litigation Matter
When a legal matter is complex, consequential, and high-stakes, the right representation makes every difference. Callahan & Blaine, PC has spent more than four decades building a firm capable of handling the most demanding civil litigation in the country. Our senior trial attorneys bring the preparation and courtroom presence that these matters require, and our record of historic verdicts and settlements reflects that commitment at every level.
If you are facing a serious personal injury claim, a significant business dispute, or any complex civil matter in California, we are ready to evaluate your case. Contact us to submit your potential case and speak with our team about how we can help you achieve the result you need.
