George Mason University law student Matthew Long still has three months
of schoolwork before graduation, but this week he and two classmates had
a case before the Supreme Court.
The group of students is part of a new class dedicated to Supreme Court
work at the Fairfax, Va., school. Nationwide, more than a half dozen law
schools offer similar courses.
The students don't get to argue the cases. They aren't even lawyers yet.
But students participating in the so-called Supreme Court clinics get
to do everything else: research issues, draft briefs and consult with
the lawyer actually presenting the case to the high court.
"We're all very much aware that you can go your entire legal career
without ever being on a case before this court, and it's unbelievable
that we'd have this experience as law students," Long, 26, said as he
stood outside the Supreme Court after Monday's arguments in a case about
a man in prison for murder in Colorado and time limits involved in his
case.
Stanford University started the first Supreme Court clinic for students
in 2004 and is still involved in the most cases. But schools with
clinics now include Harvard University, Yale University, the University
of Virginia and the University of Texas. In the past three years,
clinics report that students have been involved in about 1 out of every 6
cases argued before the court. This week, students are participating in
two of the court's cases.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Driver acquitted in deadly Megabus crash in NY Driver acquitted in deadly Megabus crash in NY
A bus driver was acquitted Tuesday of homicide charges in the deaths of
four passengers killed when his double-decker crashed into an overpass
in upstate New York.
A judge announced the verdict after a non-jury trial for 60-year-old John Tomaszewski of Yardville, N.J. Tomaszewski would have faced up to four years in state prison on each of four counts of criminally negligent homicide. He sat with his head bowed and showed no reaction as Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi read the verdict.
"It was a tragic accident and four people lost their lives," Tomaszewski said as he left court. "It's something I'll have to deal with the rest of my life."
There were 29 passengers on the Megabus when the top of the bus hit the railroad bridge in Salina, just outside Syracuse, early on the morning of Sept. 11, 2010.
Tomaszewski was driving from Philadelphia to Toronto with a planned stop at the Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse when he missed an exit from Interstate 81 and ended up on the parkway instead.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Bednarksi said during the trial that Tomaszewski was using a personal GPS device as he tried to find his way to the bus station and passed 13 low-bridge warning signs, some with flashing yellow lights, before the wreck.
A judge announced the verdict after a non-jury trial for 60-year-old John Tomaszewski of Yardville, N.J. Tomaszewski would have faced up to four years in state prison on each of four counts of criminally negligent homicide. He sat with his head bowed and showed no reaction as Onondaga County Court Judge Anthony Aloi read the verdict.
"It was a tragic accident and four people lost their lives," Tomaszewski said as he left court. "It's something I'll have to deal with the rest of my life."
There were 29 passengers on the Megabus when the top of the bus hit the railroad bridge in Salina, just outside Syracuse, early on the morning of Sept. 11, 2010.
Tomaszewski was driving from Philadelphia to Toronto with a planned stop at the Regional Transportation Center in Syracuse when he missed an exit from Interstate 81 and ended up on the parkway instead.
Assistant District Attorney Chris Bednarksi said during the trial that Tomaszewski was using a personal GPS device as he tried to find his way to the bus station and passed 13 low-bridge warning signs, some with flashing yellow lights, before the wreck.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Curtis law firm moves D.C. office
Every month, we like to feature news circulating with local law firms and attorneys in the country. Today we would like to take part in the announcement of Curtis law firm moving their offices. Read more below, visit their law firm website, or leave us a comment!
The D.C. office of law firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP has relocated its headquarters to larger space downtown.
The firm said that its new location, on the top floor of 1717 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, more than doubles the size of its offices and will allow for continued expansion of its practice.
"This relocation marks an important step in Curtis’ ongoing expansion in Washington,” said D.C. Managing Partner Daniel Lenihan.
The firm said that it has added four senior lawyers to its D.C. office since December 2008.
According to its Web site, Curtis has three U.S. offices with 16 professionals working in Washington, five working in Houston and more than 100 based in New York. In addition, Curtis has 10 international offices.
The D.C. office of law firm Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP has relocated its headquarters to larger space downtown.
The firm said that its new location, on the top floor of 1717 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, more than doubles the size of its offices and will allow for continued expansion of its practice.
"This relocation marks an important step in Curtis’ ongoing expansion in Washington,” said D.C. Managing Partner Daniel Lenihan.
The firm said that it has added four senior lawyers to its D.C. office since December 2008.
According to its Web site, Curtis has three U.S. offices with 16 professionals working in Washington, five working in Houston and more than 100 based in New York. In addition, Curtis has 10 international offices.
Carey, Danis team with Lowe on new law firm
St. Louis attorneys John Carey, Joseph Danis and Jeffrey Lowe said Monday they formed Carey, Danis & Lowe law firm.
Carey, 48, and Danis, 40, were already practicing together as Carey & Danis LLC, which focused on pharmaceutical liability, mass torts and class actions, recovering more than $800 million for its clients.
The Lowe Law Firm focused its practice on personal injury cases and has won some of the largest jury verdicts in Missouri, obtaining settlements and judgments of more than $150 million. Lowe, 53, obtained a $105 million verdict against Bridgestone/Firestone in 2000 on behalf of Randy Dorman for injuries he suffered when a tire rim assembly exploded.
The new firm will handle pharmaceutical liability, product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, class actions, and economic loss cases throughout the United States.
Carey, 48, and Danis, 40, were already practicing together as Carey & Danis LLC, which focused on pharmaceutical liability, mass torts and class actions, recovering more than $800 million for its clients.
The Lowe Law Firm focused its practice on personal injury cases and has won some of the largest jury verdicts in Missouri, obtaining settlements and judgments of more than $150 million. Lowe, 53, obtained a $105 million verdict against Bridgestone/Firestone in 2000 on behalf of Randy Dorman for injuries he suffered when a tire rim assembly exploded.
The new firm will handle pharmaceutical liability, product liability, personal injury, medical malpractice, class actions, and economic loss cases throughout the United States.
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Family of Navy Electrician's Mate Awarded $6.5M
A Philadelphia jury has found Rockwell Automation Inc., sued as
successor to Allen-Bradley Company, liable for the asbestos-related
death of Navy electrician's mate, David Lanpher. The liability finding
is the first-ever asbestos-exposure verdict against Rockwell.
The case was tried as a reverse bifurcated proceeding - a multi-phase trial that requires the jury to determine first if the plaintiff's mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure, and if so, what amount of damages is reasonable to compensate for pain, suffering, loss of consortium, and other circumstances related to the plaintiff's illness. In Phase I, defendants remain unknown to the jury, and plaintiff's counsel is not permitted to discuss or make recommendations about the scope or amount of the award.
Phase II, the liability hearing , occurs if the jury finds that the plaintiff's illness was indeed caused by asbestos exposure. In Phase II, the jury hears evidence about the asbestos-containing products identified by the plaintiff, and determines which - if any - manufacturers are responsible for the plaintiff's illness. This in turn, directs how many manufacturers are apportioned a share of the damages awarded in Phase I.
In Lanpher vs. Alfa Laval, Inc., the jury found Rockwell - the lone defendant at verdict - to be one of eight manufacturers responsible for Mr. Lanpher's asbestos exposure and subsequent mesothelioma. As such, Rockwell is responsible for one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of the $6.5 million awarded to the Lanpher family.
Phase I concluded on February 19, 2010. The final verdict was delivered on March 5, 2010, at the end of Phase II.
Mr. Lanpher, an active and gainfully employed 71-year-old husband, father and grandfather, had reportedly been in perfect health prior to his diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in August 2007. He died on July 13, 2008 - less than one year later, and just one day after completing the video deposition in which he sharply recalled the types, names and brands of the asbestos-containing products that caused his illness and cut short his life.
Via video deposition, Mr. Lanpher recounted enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1954. During his 20-year career as an electrician's mate, he worked in the engineering spaces of the USS Chemung, USS Randolph, USS Remey, USS Brough, USS Dashell, USS Benewah, and USS Wright. His assignments required him to handle various engine parts and components, including asbestos-containing insulating boards and motor control units. He recalled cutting and filing parts, including asbestos-containing motor control units manufactured and sold by Allen-Bradley, and the dust that he regularly breathed in tight quarters. He was honorably discharged in 1973, and worked as an electrician in Phoenix, Arizona, until he became too ill to work in 2007.
Mr. Lanpher's wife, Pauline, and daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Terry Perkins, traveled from Phoenix for the trial. The family was present during both Phase I and Phase II verdicts, and were relieved and satisfied with the trial's outcome.
The case was tried as a reverse bifurcated proceeding - a multi-phase trial that requires the jury to determine first if the plaintiff's mesothelioma was caused by asbestos exposure, and if so, what amount of damages is reasonable to compensate for pain, suffering, loss of consortium, and other circumstances related to the plaintiff's illness. In Phase I, defendants remain unknown to the jury, and plaintiff's counsel is not permitted to discuss or make recommendations about the scope or amount of the award.
Phase II, the liability hearing , occurs if the jury finds that the plaintiff's illness was indeed caused by asbestos exposure. In Phase II, the jury hears evidence about the asbestos-containing products identified by the plaintiff, and determines which - if any - manufacturers are responsible for the plaintiff's illness. This in turn, directs how many manufacturers are apportioned a share of the damages awarded in Phase I.
In Lanpher vs. Alfa Laval, Inc., the jury found Rockwell - the lone defendant at verdict - to be one of eight manufacturers responsible for Mr. Lanpher's asbestos exposure and subsequent mesothelioma. As such, Rockwell is responsible for one-eighth, or 12.5 percent, of the $6.5 million awarded to the Lanpher family.
Phase I concluded on February 19, 2010. The final verdict was delivered on March 5, 2010, at the end of Phase II.
Mr. Lanpher, an active and gainfully employed 71-year-old husband, father and grandfather, had reportedly been in perfect health prior to his diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma in August 2007. He died on July 13, 2008 - less than one year later, and just one day after completing the video deposition in which he sharply recalled the types, names and brands of the asbestos-containing products that caused his illness and cut short his life.
Via video deposition, Mr. Lanpher recounted enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1954. During his 20-year career as an electrician's mate, he worked in the engineering spaces of the USS Chemung, USS Randolph, USS Remey, USS Brough, USS Dashell, USS Benewah, and USS Wright. His assignments required him to handle various engine parts and components, including asbestos-containing insulating boards and motor control units. He recalled cutting and filing parts, including asbestos-containing motor control units manufactured and sold by Allen-Bradley, and the dust that he regularly breathed in tight quarters. He was honorably discharged in 1973, and worked as an electrician in Phoenix, Arizona, until he became too ill to work in 2007.
Mr. Lanpher's wife, Pauline, and daughter and son-in-law, Nancy and Terry Perkins, traveled from Phoenix for the trial. The family was present during both Phase I and Phase II verdicts, and were relieved and satisfied with the trial's outcome.
Jackson Township law firm opens fifth office
The law firm Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co. has
opened an office in downtown Akron, the firm’s first in Summit County.
The firm has offices in Jackson Township, Alliance, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek.
Managing Director Terry A. Moore said the firm’s clients in and around Summit County have asked for a location in Akron, and it appeared the timing was right.
In the Akron Centre at 50 S. Main St., Suite 501, the office will be managed by attorney Edward V. Buehrle, who recently joined Krugliak as a shareholder and director.
Buehrle’s practice is focused on real estate and financial and business-related transactions. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College and a master’s of business administration and law degree from the University of Akron.
The law firm was founded in 1958. For more information, visit www.kwgd.com.
The firm has offices in Jackson Township, Alliance, New Philadelphia and Sugarcreek.
Managing Director Terry A. Moore said the firm’s clients in and around Summit County have asked for a location in Akron, and it appeared the timing was right.
In the Akron Centre at 50 S. Main St., Suite 501, the office will be managed by attorney Edward V. Buehrle, who recently joined Krugliak as a shareholder and director.
Buehrle’s practice is focused on real estate and financial and business-related transactions. He received his bachelor’s degree from Hillsdale College and a master’s of business administration and law degree from the University of Akron.
The law firm was founded in 1958. For more information, visit www.kwgd.com.
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