Edwards is member of Tucson, Ariz., lawyer's elite circle.

Byline: C.J. Karamargin

Jul. 7--John Edwards sued people for a living and he was good at it.

So good that for much of the 1990s, the man tapped by John Kerry on Tuesday to be his running mate belonged to an exclusive club of high-powered personal injury lawyers.

Founded by Tucson lawyer Richard Grand, the Inner Circle of Advocates is a little-known who's who of marquee trial lawyers like Johnnie Cochran.

All share one trait: They rarely leave the courtroom a loser.

Membership in the Inner Circle is limited to 100 lawyers and all are required to have completed at least 50 personal injury jury trials with at least one verdict of $1 million or more.

The group meets every year for four days of problem-solving and confidential round-table discussions.

"It's like 100 Barry Bondses …