Portfolio.

Lyle R. Mink has tried over 100 cases, almost half of them to juries. He has prosecuted or defended over 75 appeals. The following cases are representative of his particular strengths.

A unique approach to persuasion

Case: Lyle’s client brought suit for substantial compensation. The defendant claimed that it did all the work and that Lyle’s client had not performed. Lyle knew better. He sought to persuade the judge and jury visually. He hired a moving company to bring all of the client’s work — which occupied a significant amount of space — into the courtroom and placed it in plain view of everyone. During the lengthy jury trial, Lyle regularly referred to that work.

Result: Lyle’s use of that work during trial resulted in a verdict in favor of client.

Convincing arguments

Case: During the Northridge earthquake, the client’s apartment building suffered severe damage. Legal opinions estimated the case was worth $300,000 at most. At mediation Lyle presented a persuasive opening statement, later supported by written analysis and argument.

Result: The insurance carrier offered $1.2 million, which the client accepted.

Determination and loyalty in the long haul

Case: A major college fired a long-time employee, alleging wrongful conduct. The employee sued for back pay and retirement benefits. Even though the chances were slim, Lyle took the case on a contingency basis. What the client wanted more than anything was a fair chance to tell his side of the story. Facing a prestigious college, the case was dismissed twice, appealed twice, and reversed twice. The second reversal allowed the case to be tried to a jury. Lyle stayed with this client even though he was not getting paid and would not get paid unless he won.

Result: After almost five years, Lyle was able to get the case before a jury. The client got his day in court and was satisfied, knowing that he had done everything in his power to challenge the treatment he had received.

Organization and hard work under fire

Case: Neither side had finished gathering information for the trial, to be held in another city. The judge surprised both parties by ordering the case to trial earlier than anyone anticipated. Lyle immediately hired additional help, coordinating efforts in different cities to gather information on an expedited basis. Working around the clock to prepare voluminous materials, including hundreds of trial exhibits, he simultaneously absorbed the remaining details of the case and developed a presentation to persuade the court and the jury during a lengthy trial.

Result: Lyle won the case because he was better prepared than the opposition.

Countering surprises with presence of mind

Case: During a case involving a marital settlement agreement, the husband claimed the agreement was void because he signed it under the wife’s threat to have him killed if he didn’t sign it. Lyle’s client denied the threats. At trial, the husband’s lawyer sought to impeach the wife’s denial with a previously-undisclosed tape recording, allegedly containing threats by the wife. After learning that the tape would be introduced, Lyle quickly found an appropriate time to counsel his client how to conduct herself in response. He also spent most of the night doing research on voice-over technology. By the next day, Lyle presented papers to the court indicating that the tape most likely was not authentic.

Result: The judge disregarded the tape recording and Lyle’s client prevailed.

Persuasive writing

Case: An extremely large verdict had been rendered. Believing the judgment had been based on judicial misconduct, the client came to Lyle for an appeal. It’s rare to get a case reversed under these circumstances, but Lyle wrote the appellate brief and argued the appeal.

Result: Based on Lyle’s presentation, the appellate court overturned the verdict against his client.

Balancing competing interests

Case: An employee was beginning to show signs of a possible disability. He desperately wanted to continue working but was concerned that he might not be able to perform at his previous capacity. Rather than relying on the Americans with Disabilities Act, Lyle initiated numerous phone conversations with the client’s doctor and the human resources department. Lyle knew that it was important in this type of situation to be diplomatic and sensitive to all the issues so that the employer would not view their employee as a problem and give up on the person. He helped all to understand the other’s problem and point of view and sought to avoid litigation while working toward keeping the client on the job with a reduced work load.

Result: A compromise that served all parties was reached, allowing the employee to return to work with lesser duties.

Respect of the court

Case: A retired television star brought a business suit for fraud against a lawyer. The lawyer asked Lyle to represent him only one month before the trial began. The judge did not like the lawyer-client and most of the court’s rulings were against him. Sensing a challenge, Lyle agreed to defend the lawyer at trial. Lyle already knew the celebrity would play well in front of the jury, so he skillfully and respectfully cross-examined the celebrity, getting him to concede certain facts that were unfavorable to his case. Lyle gained the respect of the judge and the jury to overcome the celebrity’s initial advantage.

Result: The jury’s verdict was in favor of Lyle’s client, and the judge denied the opponent’s motion for a new trial; later, he dismissed the only remaining count against Lyle’s client.

Respect of opposing counsel

Case: Lyle represented clients who were very bitter against their opponents. Within ethical boundaries, Lyle took a very tough approach and maintained it throughout the lawsuit. He presented overwhelming evidence on his client’s behalf.

Result: Verdict in favor of Lyle’s client. Later, when the opposing counsel was unable to represent his best client due to a conflict of interest in a case, he recommended that his client hire Lyle to handle the matter.