Weitz & Luxenberg is proud to announce our co-founding partner Perry Weitz was inducted into the Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame, established by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Every year, the association honors and recognizes exceptional trial lawyers who, “through their practice,” have clearly established themselves “as true champions and crusaders for American Justice.” (1)
Mr. Weitz has left an “indelible mark on the American legal tradition through a lifetime of service to the American public, the Constitution, and the American trial bar.” (2) His illustrious career began shortly after he graduated from Hofstra University Law School in Hempstead, New York. His first big wins were just around the corner.
Asbestos Lawsuit Victories Drive W&L
New York State amended its statute of limitations on asbestos exposure litigation in 1987. Mr. Weitz quickly took the lead in the “surge” of asbestos exposure litigation that emerged. (3)
He reminisces it was his “unyielding sense of duty to the thousands” of asbestos-exposure victims that helped W&L achieve verdict after verdict. This dedication ultimately lead “to a multi-billion dollar federal fund to help the people who had suffered from exposure to asbestos.” (4)
Sports Lessons Play a Key Role in Success
“I’m honored to receive this award,” Mr. Weitz says. “I want to tell you possibly why I’m receiving this award.
“My life revolves around sports. I’ve played a lot of sports. And I learned a lot of valuable life lessons. There are superstars in every sport. Those God-gifted athletes who have talents head and shoulders above everybody else,” Mr. Weitz adds.
“All of them are part of a team. On their own, they would never have the accomplishments they were achieving. But as part of a team, they shine. And they shine even better. And the truly great athletes, they make everybody around them perform better.
- Work harder than your adversary and it will pay off.
- Play for the right reasons and for the right goals.
- Trust your teammates and make each one of them better with your performance.
- Play hard and play to win, but play honorably.”
Cutting Our Teeth on Asbestos Litigation
“At Weitz & Luxenberg, we cut our teeth on asbestos litigation. Fortunately, we were able to try some of the most significant cases in the country. We ended up getting some very big verdicts over years and years and years. And we were able to get our clients billions of dollars.
“People were able to keep their houses. Children and grandchildren were able to go to college. The letters I have received from clients and their kids and their grandkids just would warm your heart.
“That’s really why being a trial lawyer is the greatest job in the world. Because we get to help so many people. And we get to correct the wrongs of the corporate world,” Mr. Weitz adds.
Counting on My Two Great Teams
“Today, decades later, the vision of Weitz & Luxenberg hasn’t changed. It took the work of two teams to make our success possible,” Mr. Weitz points out.
“The first team was my home team. Nothing is more important than the love and support of your family when you’re working on a trial. It is a tireless job. Nothing else exists in your life and your family has to be on board with it,” Mr. Weitz states.
“My second team, of course, is the one at the office. It is really headed by my partner, Arthur Luxenberg. Because I’m always out. Trying a case or settling cases. He runs the show there,” Mr. Weitz emphasizes.
“He’s my partner in crime. He’s my brother. He’s everything. I love you, Arthur. Nobody could have ever asked for a better partner in the world,” Mr. Weitz declares.
Thanks Go to Everyone Who Plays a Role
“I’d like to thank all of the unsung heroes who have participated in all of my trials and settlements. All of the people at Weitz & Luxenberg you never hear about who work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
“Especially when we’re on trial or when we’re putting together a big settlement. I’d like to thank all of them for everything they’ve done for decades for me,” Mr. Weitz emphasizes.
We Must Fight for Justice Together
“It’s always a joy to be honored, but there is no greater honor than to be honored by your peers,” Mr. Weitz continues. “The struggle for justice is endless. And it’s massive.
“And we need to try to do it together. Because individually, we could accomplish a lot, but look at what we’ve been able to do when we get together.
“It really changes the world. And being a trial lawyer, especially in America, really gives you the opportunity and the landscape to help so many people. And to try to make the world a better place,” Mr. Weitz concludes.
“Thank you all for this award and for continuing on in our fight for justice.”
Recognized as an Exemplary Trial Attorney
Over the years, Mr. Weitz “has taken on numerous Fortune 500 companies who have wronged both their employees and the public.” He has also made it a habit of being listed in “Best Lawyers in America” and has repeatedly earned the title of “Super Lawyer.” (5)
In addition, the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice proclaimed Mr. Weitz the recipient of its “Champion of Justice” award in 2011. And, in 2012, Mr. Weitz was named New York City “Lawyer of the Year” for mass torts litigation and class action lawsuits on the plaintiffs’ side. (6)
