Turning Bad Facts into Good Facts with Meg Simonian

Elawvate

Join Ben and Rahul for their discussion with top Alaska trial lawyer, Meg Simonian. Meg shares her journey from growing up as one of seven children with parents who did not graduate from high school to attending law school and becoming one of the nation’s best trial lawyers. After graduating from law school, Meg worked as a Federal public defender and then joined the practice of legendary trial lawyer, Rick Friedman. Meg shares lessons learned during her time working with Rick before leaving to join an Alaska-based medical malpractice firm. Meg talks about how she has worked to turn bad case facts into good facts that have helped her win and achieve significant verdicts for her deserving clients.

About Meg Simonian

Dillon Findley & Simonian, P.C. | Anchorage Attorneys Serving Alaska

Meg Simonian is one of Alaska's top trial lawyers devoting her practice to representing people who have been injured or wronged. She has obtained several of the largest jury verdicts and settlements in Alaska history in both state and federal court.

Meg was born and raised in Anchorage and went to law school because she believed law could be a force of good. After clerking for the Alaska Superior Court, she has been practicing law for over 20 years sharpening her courtroom skills and winning trials as a felony trial lawyer at the Alaska Public Defender Agency and Office of Public Advocacy. Meg started her civil career at Friedman Rubin, representing people harmed by insurance bad faith.

Meg's work is focused on medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, complex litigation and representing people who have been injured or need help in their most vulnerable times. She is a relentless advocate who uses her skills in the courtroom, dedication, and creativity to ensure her client's story is told with truth and power. She is one of the few woman lawyers inducted into the prestigious Inner Circle of Advocates (an invitation only group of the 100 best trial lawyers in the U.S.). Meg is also recognized by both Best Lawyers and Super Lawyers. She was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Alaska Supreme Court to serve on the Alaska Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee.

Meg has successfully handled many appeals before the Alaska Supreme Court, including setting important precedent in Knolmayer v. McCollum, and Harrold-Jones v. Drury.

When she is not battling in the courtroom, Meg loves to be with her family cooking, traveling, or dragging one of her five kids to hike, ski, or play outside.

Education

• Northeastern University School of Law, Boston, Massachusetts
• J.D. - 1997
• University of Alaska Anchorage
• B.A. - 1992
• Honors: magna cum laude
• Major: English Literature
• Mercer Law School, Trial Practice Institute of the National Criminal Defense College
• 2000

Past Positions

• Anchorage Superior Court, Law Clerk
• Alaska Public Defender Agency and Office of Public Advocacy, Felony Trial Lawyer

Professional Associations

• American Association for Justice (formerly Association of Trial Attorneys of America®), 2003 to Present
• Anchorage Zoning and Planning Commission, 2005 to 2006
• Alaska Supreme Court Criminal Rules Advisory Committee, 2002 to 2003
• Alaska Bar Association, 1999

Practice Areas

• Plaintiff's Medical Malpractice
• Serious Injury or Death
• White-Collar Criminal Law

Bar Admissions

• Alaska, 1999
• U.S. District Court District of Alaska, 1999