Attorney Luhr G.C. Beckmann Jr. has been a force in the courtroom for 51 years. He is a skillful advocate for defendants in major civil cases.  But Beckmann and his longtime partner, William H. Pinson Jr. are merging their practice with attorneys Brent Savage and Bart Turner – two younger lawyers who have carved their reputation from the other side of the table.  The new Savannah firm, Savage, Turner and Pinson will represent those suing rather than those being sued.  Beckmann, 77, will remain with the firm as of counsel, a position that removes him from day-to-day rigors of office management and frees him to use his expertise in the practice of law.  “I find it very easy because the basic skills and preparation are the same,” said Pinson, 58.  “There’s not that much difference really. You know the facts you have to develop and you go after it.”

Savage, who practiced with Beckmann’s firm when he arrived in Savannah in 1979, says the new group will be a major player here.  “We have two nurse lawyers who, I think are unique,” said Savage, 47. “When you marry their abilities with Bill Pinson’s 20 years of defending doctors, I think it is a powerful force.”  Turner, 40, is the youngest partner. Attorney Mimi Livingston is a nurse practitioner: attorney  Christie Register is a registered nurse. The merger positions the firm for handling medical malpractice and similar personal injury litigation.

Beckmann and Pinson handled a large number of medical malpractice cases, representing insurance companies covering physicians or hospitals.  But, like medical health coverage, that field has changed dramatically in recent years.  Lawyers complain that “bean counters” working for insurance companies have increasingly taken control of defense cases-often substituting their judgments for those of trial lawyers trying to give their clients the best possible defense.  “Within the past few years, I have become frustrated with the defense insurance practice,” Pinson said, citing that trend.  The result, said Beckmann, is that the lawyer “can’t represent your client the way you should.”  And, says Pinson, the problem goes deeper.  “There has been a change in the public’s perception of medical care and treatment mainly because of the same problem,” Pinson said. “The public feels it’s not getting the same care and treatment.”

The merger of the plaintiff trial firm and defense firm is unique here but simply follows a trend.  “This is a right novel thing,” Savage said. “It happened in Atlanta and Macon but not here.”  Beckmann said its trend that is sure to continue.  “I think I’ve seen it for four to five years.” he said. “It will continue. I think the trend is in. I don’t know how you’re going to slow it up.”  “I think you are seeing people trying to get into the plaintiff field left and right,” Savage said.  "It’s much more financially rewarding if you get good cases.”  He said two trends are fueling the moves.

Some insurance companies use one or two firms statewide on all of their personal injury and medical malpractice cases.  “That’s the epitome of it,” Savage said. “The other trend that’s driving them out of business, I think, is that insurance companies are very restrictive in what a lawyer can do for his clients in some cases.”         Meanwhile, files fill the conference table in Beckmann and Pinson’s Savannah offices. Workmen renovate office space at Savage and Turner, making room for the new partners.  “We’re in a state of confusion over here,” Beckmann said. “It’s just a matter of logistics to get it done.”

About a third of their 100 active defense files will be transferred to other firms.  “It will totally change what we are doing,” Beckmann said.  After years as the top dog, how does Beckmann accommodate moving to the same table as lawyers he trained? “I’m a lawyer,” he said. “I’m not a prima donna.”  Older lawyers don’t sit at a certain age, he points out.  “They slow down. I don’t think they ever retire.”  Senior reporter Jan Skutch can be reached at 652-0336.