What are Tony Seaton's qualifications?
I have been practicing personal injury law for over 40 years. Fourteen years ago I started going to seminars sponsored by Attorney Don Keenan. From that I forged a personal relationship with Don and became a teacher in the Keenan Trial Institute. I have taught courses in witness preparation, cross examination, closing arguments and deposition practice. For three years I became the Administrator over the Keenan Trial Institute. As administrator I hired and managed over 100 instructors to teach in the institute. During my term as administrator I was able to take or audit all 24 courses that are currently offered by the Keenan Trial Institute.
Most lawyers who hold themselves out as personal injury trial attorneys never step foot in a courtroom to try a jury trial. They take cases and prepare them for settlement. Most all the time they go to mediation and settle their cases for pennies on the dollar. It is far easier for an attorney to settle a case than it is to properly prepare one for trial and actually try the case. These settling attorneys do not put their clients interests ahead of themselves. If you anticipate hiring a trial attorney, ASK THEM FOR A RECORD OF THEIR MOST RECENT TRIALS. You will most likely get an answer explaining to you all about how big their settlements are and excuses of why they have never tried a significant jury trial.
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Success Stories
During my tenure with the Keenan Trial Institute I was lead counsel in numerous trials.
Below are some of my representative jury verdicts that I received. These can all be verified in the courts listed.
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Johnson v. Stericycle, Feb. 2020, $23.5 million jury verdict. Rear end collision, one plaintiff. Sullivan County, Tennessee Circuit Court.
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Day v. Beaver Hollow, November 2018, $2.65 million jury verdict. Slip and Fall in icy parking lot of apartment complex. Washington County, Tennessee Circuit Court.
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McLemore v. Life Care Centers of America, $4.75 million jury verdict. Nursing home abuse case death. Carter County, Tennessee Circuit Court.
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Ling v. Campbell County, $6 million jury verdict. February 2024. Arrest and Jail beating case, one plaintiff. Federal District Court, Eastern Division Tennessee
Our approach to all significant cases is to prepare the case for trial. Never do we prepare any case for settlement. Occasionally a case should be settled, but only after it is fully ready for trial.
I have served as the President of the Tennessee Trial Lawyers and have received its most prestigious award of "Lifetime Achievement." I have furthermore studied for over a decade with my mentor Don Keenan and have served as his Administrator of the Keenan Trial Institute for 3 years. I still am heavily involved with the Keenan Trial Institute and I still teach closing arguments and cross examination nationwide.
Professional Accomplishments
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