Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) is an invitation trial lawyer honorary society that includes less than one-percent of American lawyers. Fellows (members) are selected for invitation after being evaluated for their effectiveness and accomplishments as trial attorneys, as well as their ethical reputation.
The William E. Wegner Professionalism Award recognizes exemplary civility and excellence in the practice of law, and was created in recognition of William E. “Bill” Wegner, a highly accomplished and respected trial attorney, and former LCA President, who served as partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP in Los Angeles for 35 years.
Ben Trichilo is a Senior Fellow of the LCA, a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, The Virginia Association of Defense Attorneys, and The American Inns of Court. He holds admission to various state and federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. For nearly 50 years, his trial practice has included representation of individuals and businesses in personal injury actions, as well as the handling workers compensation cases and professional sports injury cases at the trial and appellate levels.
Ben has been honored and recognized by the Washington D.C. Best Lawyers, The Best Lawyers of America, Virginia’s Legal Elite, Virginia Super Lawyers, and by the LCA as Master of the Bench. He has often conducted or moderated seminars addressing trial and appellate practice, liability insurance coverage, workers compensation, and law firm management. He has served as a neutral case evaluator for the Fairfax County Circuit Court, and on occasion has testified as an expert witness.
His appellate litigation includes several cases that remain as precedent in the fields of landlord liability for sexual assaults, dramshop liability, workers compensation coverage, suretyship law, and compensability standards for professional sports injuries. The rules of appellate procedure often have traps, and his appellate experience is often used to advise clients concerning the identification and preservation of reversible error.
Ben’s ability to maintain a trial practice that includes representation of injured parties, as well as businesses and corporations is grounded upon his belief that the practice of law must focus upon service to the client, and not upon whether the client is labeled “plaintiff” or “defendant.” His litigation philosophy is that each case must be handled as if it were your own, and that as advocates, trial attorneys must be staunch advocates for their clients, while always remembering that the Greatest Lawyers are healers of wounds. Clients appreciate early and accurate case evaluation that can avoid or mitigate the stress, expense, and uncertainty of litigation.