About

A SPECIAL KIND OF TRIAL LAWYER

Garland’s law practice is unique in more than one respect. Although he occasionally accepts cases directly from clients, he is usually contacted by other lawyers who are in need of help. He comes from a family of lawyers and understands the demands of trial lawyering especially when there are so many other matters that require a lawyer’s attention in a busy law office.

He is the oldest son of Garland Cherry, Sr., a legendary trial lawyer in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. His mother and three of his four siblings became lawyers. Garland Jr. worked in his father’s law office in Media, Pennsylvania for several years before striking out on his own in 1981.

“Dad was an enormous influence in our lives personally
and professionally. However, I was the only one who
had the privilege of being tutored by him personally
in a professional setting during the prime of his
career. It was an exhilarating, invaluable experience.
Among other things, he taught me the importance of hard
work, determination and fair play. These qualities have
served me well over the years.”

Garland Jr., now semi-retired and living at the south Jersey shore, limits his practice to complex civil litigation. He is available to try and/or serve a supporting role in major civil cases that are awaiting trial in the Philadelphia metropolitan area and beyond.

“My niche is turning problem cases into money. I have
the unique distinction of having obtained numerous
million dollar awards in cases that were either rejected
or abandoned by other lawyers.”

Garland’s accomplishments are particularly impressive in light of the fact that all of his large awards were in conservative venues outside of Philadelphia where jury awards are rare.

Garland’s credits include:

-Two multi million dollar jury verdicts in Delaware County (1997 & 2008) – both cases rejected by other lawyers;
-A jury verdict in Dauphin County in 2005 that included $1M in punitive damages against a hospital – the case was rejected by other lawyers and he was forewarned that the case didn’t have a prayer in Dauphin County;
-A multi million dollar settlement in 1996 in a Bucks County case that was on the verge of voluntary dismissal before he took over as plaintiff’s counsel;
-A million dollar settlement in a Montgomery County case in 1998 while the jury was deliberating; and
-A multi million dollar settlement in a Bucks County case in 1999 – a case that was hopelessly stalled in litigation before he was hired to serve as lead trial counsel by the law firm that was handling it.

Garland is a graduate of Villanova Law School (1978) and obtained an LLM in trial advocacy from Temple University School of Law in 1993, recently renamed Beasley School of Law. Nearly every year since graduation from the LLM program, he has been invited back to teach in the program.

“I enjoy giving back especially when it involves
teaching other lawyers how to try cases. It’s my
way of honoring my father and strengthening the
profession. I consider my greatest strengths to be
trial strategy and cross examination. I tell young
lawyers, get those two things right, do your
homework, and you’re going to win some cases.”