J. Brian Jackson, managing partner of McGuireWoods’ Charlottesville office, is one of three 2020 winners of the Brennan Award presented by the National Trial Advocacy College at the University of Virginia School of Law. The award recognizes Jackson for his 26-year legal career and for his more than 12 years of service on the college’s faculty.
The award, launched in 1987, honors U.S. Supreme Court Justice William Brennan Jr., who served on the high court from 1956 to 1990. Honorees — who include judges, lawyers in private practice and public officials — are recognized for exceptional trial skills and contributions to advocacy education and the legal profession.
Jackson, who co-leads McGuireWoods’ transportation industry team, represents captive insurance companies, natural gas transmission companies and long-haul truckers, among others. He has tried hundreds of high-exposure cases and handles all aspects of motor carrier litigation management, Department of Transportation audits and investigations, National Transportation Safety Board investigations, and cases involving property damage, fire loss and arson.
“It is an honor to receive an award named for one of our country’s greatest jurists,” said Jackson. “It is especially gratifying to be part of a program that plays such an important role developing successful trial lawyers.”
The National Trial Advocacy College is a partnership between the University of Virginia School of Law and Virginia CLE, the educational arm of the Virginia Law Foundation. McGuireWoods Charlottesville partner R. Craig Wood is a previous Brennan Award honoree.