WHAT IS A TRIAL LAWYER?

Our courts have our faults, as does any human institution, but in this country our courts are the great levelers, and in our courts all men are created equal.

Trial Lawyers are a select group of attorneys who have broad expertise in evaluating a case, conducting investigations, accumulating evidence, and then presenting that evidence in a court of law before a jury. Trial advocacy is an art form. Like any art form, it requires years of training and experience to get to the top. Excellent Trial Lawyers possess the special skills of selecting a jury, knowing the law, mastering the facts, and an ability to connect with the people who have the ultimate power in any trial, the jury. Most importantly, it requires not only an ability to go to trial, but a burning desire to do it when trial is what is best for the client.

To be an excellent Trial Lawyer, you must want to be in the courtroom, not dread it. That want must be in your DNA, it is not learned. John and Greg have that DNA. That DNA makes them wake up at night thinking about new ideas for your case. That DNA makes them think about your case day and night, in the shower (I know, gross), driving the kids to practice, and even on vacation. They can't help it. It just happens. Not all lawyers are Trial Lawyers. John and Greg ARE Trial Lawyers.

You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view-" "Sir?"

-until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." Atticus Finch, To Kill a Mockingbird

John and Greg come from working class family backgrounds. Growing up, John's family owned a mom and pop appliance store in Eatontown. John was always involved in the family store as a child where he learned what it takes to be successful, hard work, attention to detail and customer-focused service. Headed towards retirement John's father owned a small pub in Neptune where John worked behind the scenes and behind the bar where he developed the people skills that have won his clients over $150 MILLION in verdicts and settlements over the years.

Greg has been working since he was 14 years old when he started his first paper route delivering the Philadelphia Bulletin in his south Jersey neighborhood. When he was a senior in high school Greg lost both of his parents to cancer just a few months apart. Greg knows pain and suffering. He knows what his injured clients and their families are feeling. This experience In addition to that grief, Greg was forced to do whatever was necessary to support himself. He paid his way through college and law school living paycheck to paycheck by working several jobs including janitor, dishwasher, cook, stock worker, union laborer, bartender, lifeguard, delivery person, landscaper, and a few others too. During college, Greg started two seasonal businesses at Long Beach Island including becoming a Certified Bungee Master and running a bungee jumping site, and owning an ice cream truck in Beach Haven.

TRIAL LAWYER vs. LITIGATOR

What's the Difference?

The overwhelming majority of lawyers in New Jersey have never tried a case before a jury. We refer to them as "litigators". Sure, the litigator can push piles of paper from one side of the desk to the other. The litigator can write briefs and make motions to the court. But when it's time to take the fight into the ring, these paper tigers do not get the job done for you. Litigators tend to settle with the insurance company because they are afraid of or unwilling to try a case. It does not make them bad lawyers; it just does not make them Trial Lawyers. Insurance companies know who the Trial Lawyers are and who the litigators are. Insurance companies know that John Mennie and Gregory Heizler are excellent Trial Lawyers that don't stop your fight against the insurance company at the base of the courthouse steps. Insurance companies know from past battles that John Mennie and Gregory Heizler are excellent at their craft and will fight for you until the end. Therefore, their settlement offers are generally higher.

10,000 HOUR RULE-

Have you ever heard of the 10,000 Hour Rule?- Acclaimed author Malcolm Gladwell studied what makes high level achievers different. His conclusion- it takes 10,000 hours of intensive practice to achieve mastery of complex skills and materials, like playing the violin or getting as good as Bill Gates at computer programming. His research "suggests that once a musician has enough ability to get into a top music school, the thing that distinguishes one performer from another is how hard he or she works. That's it." With over 60 years of combined trial experience, John Mennie and Gregory Heizler have put in their 10,000 hours a long while ago. But they don't rest on their laurels, John and Greg keep up to date with the newest trends in trial law through presenting and attending accredited lectures to and with fellow Trial Lawyers.

Law firm meets high standards for representation and service

John G. Mennie, Esq. is part of a select group of attorneys in the state and is recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He has won over $150 MILLION in verdicts and settlements in his career. John is a former municipal court judge and has lectured at the New Jersey Association of Justice, an organization of attorneys who represent people in personal injury matters.

Greg Heizler, Esq. is the Co-Chair of the Ocean County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee. He serves on the Committee on Attorney Ethics in the Ocean County Vicinage. Greg has been recognized with a Martindale-Hubble" peer rating as "Distinguished" and has been "Peer Rated for High Professional Achievement" with "Very High Ethical Standards." Greg was also a regular in-studio legal analyst for CourtTV®.

Committed to personalized representation -

At MENNIE HEIZLER, LLC, you will never be an anonymous client redirected to low-level staff members. When you come on board with us, you become part of our family. Our family-oriented firm environment enables our attorneys to provide individualized service tailored to your needs. The best trial lawyers never stop thinking of your case. In the middle of the night, while driving and even on vacations, your case does not leave our minds. Do we lose some sleep and personal enjoyment every now and then? Absolutely, but in the long run we want to help you. That is just who we are. It is baked into our souls.

Detail oriented - We make sure that each client fully understands every aspect of their case before making important decisions. Trial is a battle. Preparation is key. When we battle the insurance companies for you, we out prepare them.

Community focused - John and Greg are recognized as having fedicated themselves to meeting the highest standards of professionalism. This is true whether we are working on behalf of our clients or contributing to the community. They grew up here and raise their families here. They are committed to bettering the community through zealous advocacy and volunteerism.

When you require exemplary and relentless legal representation in your injury matter, MENNIE HEIZLER, LLC has the expertise you need. They've done their 10,000 hours. John and Greg have over 60 years of trial experience representing thousands of clients, winning over $150 MILLION in verdicts and settlements. MENNIE HEIZLER, LLC is here to serve you our Ocean Township office location in Monmouth County and our Toms River office in Ocean County. We maximize your chances at a favorable result. With more than 60 years of combined courtroom experience John and Greg have gained the expertise . Put them to work for you. We have handled thousands of cases on behalf of people like in New Jersey winning over $150 million for our injured clients. Whether you've been injured due to the negligence or wrongful acts of others or you were hurt on the job, we have the skills and dedication to help. Our firm is designed to provide the real attorney-client relationship that you want but rarely receive from the large law firms with flashy TV advertisements. For any matter, we offer a free initial consultation so that you can assess your legal circumstances in a relaxed, well-informed manner.