Forming a Powerhouse Trial Team with Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce

Maine trial lawyers, Jodi Nofsinger and Susan Faunce join Ben and Rahul to talk about how they have joined together to form a powerhouse trial team and recently won a $6.5 million verdict in a malpractice case in Maine.  Jodi and Susan talk about their diverse backgrounds which led them to become trial lawyers and how they have worked together over the years to form one of Maine’s most successful trial teams.   About Jodi Nofsinger Attorney Jodi Nofsinger represents people who have been harmed by medical malpractice and those who have suffered serious personal injury. With an educational background in medicine and biology, Jodi is the rare attorney who understands both the law and science of the cases she handles. Since joining Berman & Simmons in 1997, Jodi has earned a reputation as a tenacious and effective advocate for her clients. She is a natural competitor who thrives when representing the underdog and holding the powerful accountable. She is also a trailblazer among Maine’s trial lawyers. In 2014, Jodi became only the 22nd trial lawyer in Maine—and only the third woman—inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is extended to trial lawyers who are master advocates for their clients, and whose careers are distinguished by the highest standards of ethics and professionalism. Jodi learned about the justice system from her mother, a clerk at a federal courthouse in Rockford, IL. Jodi recalls her mother’s compassion for people with disabilities who had come to court seeking benefits that were denied by the government. At an early age, Jodi understood that a lawyer can make all the difference for people who have been wronged. “People put themselves in your hands, often after the worst thing that has ever happened to them, and your job is to get them to the end of their case safely, and with the best result possible,” Jodi says. “As a lawyer, you have the privilege and power to make positive change in people’s lives. That is the kind of responsibility that makes you want to do better.” Jodi obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology degree as a pre-med undergraduate. Beginning in high school and continuing until she entered the University of Maine School of Law, she worked in the field of biology, where she conducted research in the areas of heart disease, cellular biology, and genetics. Besides her outstanding record of success in medical malpractice and catastrophic personal injury cases, Jodi is also well known for her work on civil rights cases, such as the groundbreaking lawsuit brought on behalf of transgender high school student Nicole Maines of Orono, ME. Jodi serves on the board of directors for the ACLU of Maine and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association.  About Susan Faunce Since joining Berman & Simmons in 2006, attorney Susan Faunce has represented clients throughout Maine who have been harmed by personal injury and medical negligence. She currently leads the firm’s mass tort practice, which involves dangerous drug and medical device litigation, and works on medical malpractice and wrongful death cases. Susan is motivated by compassion for her clients and an interest in medicine. From a young age, Susan knew she wanted to become a lawyer, in hopes of making a significant impact on people’s lives. Today she is one of Maine’s leading personal injury attorneys and has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and Benchmark Litigation. “I was raised by a single mother who spoke limited English and I lived in an underdeveloped country as a young adult,” Susan says. “These experiences have taught me to be courageous, resourceful, and persistent. I understand that every case carries both legal and emotional aspects, and I believe every client should have a strong advocate who will work tirelessly to successfully resolve their case.” Susan is a graduate of Bowdoin College where she majored in Government Studies and Asian Studies. After college she worked as a paralegal on high-profile intellectual property cases at a major Boston law firm. She joined the Peace Corps and served in Morocco, teaching English to local high school students and French to women in the community. Susan chose to return home to Maine and earned her law degree from the University of Maine School of Law. Susan serves as the Androscoggin County representative on the Maine State Bar Association Board of Governors and as President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. She is also a board member of the Maine Justice Foundation and the Robbie Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides funding for adaptive equipment and therapies for special needs children.