Rahul Ravipudi

Ravipudi estimates he has obtained more than $130 million in non-class action verdicts and settlements since joining his firm in 2006.

Among his significant wins, Ravipudi recovered $6.6 million for the family of a woman killed by Los Angeles police officers who were speeding down a residential street. The settlement is billed as the largest traffic accident-related wrongful death payout by the LAPD in the city's history.

Ravipudi also won settlements of $5 million for a worker who suffered serious injuries when he fell through a skylight; and $10 million for the family of an independent truck driver killed by an intoxicated heavy lift operator at a Long Beach stevedoring terminal.

"It's all about presenting the truth of the story," Ravipudi said. "It's not just showing up, but getting to know your clients so that you can communicate their full picture to the jury. When that happens, the jury is looking at a real person and fully invested in your client and the case as well."

With personal injury cases, Ravipudi said that he often has to contend with defense-side surveillance of his clients.

"They follow them and videotape them in the hopes of documenting activities and arguing, at the time of trial, that they are exaggerating their injuries," he said. "When you have clients like ours, who have suffered catastrophic injuries, this footage is polarizing to a jury."

Sometimes this can backfire when the surveillance actually strengthens the plaintiff's claims, Ravipudi said.

"We make a converted effort to get all of that video footage," he added. "We want to present it, so we take an affirmative approach."

But there are times when the defense will present that footage on its own volition, Ravipudi said, adding, "That just blows my mind."

Emerging technology is playing a role in how Ravipudi tries his cases.

"A recent movement I have promoted is the use of my iPad for all trial presentation purposes," he said. "Instead of using trial technicians sitting in the courtroom, I use an iPad for depositions and impeaching witnesses. This allows me to be dynamic in the courtroom and allows the jury to enjoy the multimedia aspects of a trial."

An avid booster of the process, Ravipudi has trained other attorneys on the use of iPads in court.

"You can do this for any trial, not just for the big cases," he added. "I feel liberated having all of that information at my fingertips."

- PAT BRODERICK