UNM Law alumna recognized at ’24 Amicus Honors

After more than four decades in the courtroom, Randi McGinn, a University of New Mexico School of Law alumna ('80), was awarded the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Distinguished Lawyer Award at the Amicus Honors Gala.

McGinn has worked on some of the region's most significant cases with resounding success. Of the 137 cases she has tried, she's only lost seven times. She served as a special prosecutor in the criminal prosecution of two Albuquerque Police officers for their role in the shooting of James Boyd, a homeless man killed by police while camping. She and fellow attorney Mike Sievers won the largest verdict against a semi-trailer manufacturer for its decision not to add side underride guards on its trailers, which would have prevented the death of a teenager.

Last year, McGinn received the California Trial Lawyer of the Year award after helping the family of Esther Nakajjigo, a Ugandan human rights activist, obtain the largest federal wrongful death verdict in Utah history after Nakajjigo was decapitated by a gate at Arches National Park.

"My greatest career achievement so far has been convincing some of the companies, hospitals and corporations we have sued to not only compensate our clients fully, but to make changes in their practices, procedures or products so that no one else in our community is injured or killed by their negligence or misconduct," McGinn said.

McGinn is currently part of the legal representation for the family of Halyna Hutchins, the cinematographer shot by Alec Baldwin while making the film "Rust."

She was honored to hear kind words from friends, colleagues and former clients at the recent Gala, but said her career of "representing David (or his spouse) against Goliath" is what has offered her true joy and fulfillment.

So, what does it take to have a 95%-win rate at trial? Success in the court room all comes down to storytelling for McGinn. Before attending law school, she studied journalism and worked as a reporter. Her ability to build a narrative through facts was central in her decision to become a trial lawyer.

"The most important element in my success is my ability to tell a good story," McGinn said. "The person who tells the best story in the courtroom wins the case. That means a good lawyer must become a student of storytelling."

As one of few female trial lawyers at the start of her career, McGinn paved her own way and developed her own style in the courtroom that helped her relate to jurors and clients. Her strategy and hard work have been reflected through numerous recognitions including designation on the Best Lawyers in America list, Albuquerque Magazine's Top 10 Lawyers, Albuquerque Bar Association's 2017 Lawyer of the Year, UNM's Distinguished Alumni Award and more. She shared some of her career insights and trial tips in her 2014 book, "Changing Lives, Saving Lives: How to Take on Corporate Giants and Win."

In her many years in the legal field, McGinn has built upon groundwork laid during her time at UNM.

"UNM Law School provided the foundation for all the good I was ever able to do in the law. My incredible professors not only taught me to think like a lawyer but instructed me on the practical skills I would need in the courtroom - storytelling, cross-examination and how to pick a fair jury."

** Images provided by Randi McGinn.