John Jerry Glas

John Jerry Glas is the Chair of the Civil Litigation Department at Deutsch Kerrigan. Jerry is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. He has tried 117 civil or criminal trials, including 79 jury trials. Jerry has been admitted pro hac vice in 10 states and had success on both sides of the aisle. In 2021, as lead trial counsel for the plaintiff (Lindale Pipeline, LLC), Jerry obtained a $26 million verdict in Houston. In 2012, as lead trial counsel for the defendant (TASER International, Inc.), Jerry obtained a zero verdict in St. Louis, which was listed by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as one of that year’s “Largest Defense Verdicts.”

Jerry is the author of The New Science of Trial Advocacy: The Waiter Pivot, which was published by the American Bar Association (ABA Publishing) in 2023. The “Waiter Pivot” is an alternative approach to trial advocacy that embraces the recent paradigm shift in jury psychology and teaches attorneys how to surprise, disarm, and persuade modern jurors. Forget direct advocacy, conventional cross-examination, and bobblehead experts. Jerry encourages trial lawyers to rewrite the old trial playbook, reinvent themselves, and redefine their role in the courtroom.

Jerry's innovative approach to trial advocacy was highlighted on the cover of Louisiana Super Lawyers® in 2022, in a featured article titled "How Jerry Glas Develops His Rapport with Juries." And, in 2024, Jerry was inducted into the CityBusiness Leadership in Law Hall of Fame. He is a frequent presenter, having lectured locally and nationally on trial strategy, jury selection, cross-examination, expert witnesses, life care plans, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) cases.

Jerry enjoys the challenge of being retained as “rescue counsel,” which requires him to parachute into cases months or weeks before trial. And he is often retained by national insurance companies to perform one of his “TBI triages” and assist local counsel with evaluating and defending against TBI claims.

Jerry has served on the Trial Advocacy Committee for Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center since 2020 and on the teaching faculty for the Trial Advocacy 3-Day Boot Camp since 2018. As an adjunct professor, Jerry previously enjoyed teaching a full-credit Trial Practice class at Loyola University New Orleans College of Law (2009 to 2014).   

Jerry considers Deutsch Kerrigan a “teaching hospital.” He firmly believes in the importance of mentoring and training lawyers. Jerry considers it a privilege to try cases with young lawyers, and he looks for opportunities to “get them their first witness.” The Civil Litigation Department includes many lawyers who have tried cases with (or against) Jerry. It reflects Jerry’s personal philosophy that every law firm needs a core group of scrappers, who enjoy trying cases together. Because iron sharpens iron.    

Jerry was born and raised in New Orleans. Before attending law school, he earned an M.A. in philosophy and taught religion at his alma mater, Jesuit High School. Before joining the firm in 1999, Jerry served as a Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Parish of Orleans. He has been married for more than 25 years and has two wonderful daughters and a spoiled Schnauzer.