News

FAA Nominee Flew for Delta, Studied at GSU Law

Jonathan Ringel | March 20, 2019

Former Delta GC says nominee will "do an outstanding job" at FAA.

News

Defense Lawyer Takes Leap to Plaintiffs Firm Pratt Clay—and Other 'On the Move' News

Meredith Hobbs | March 20, 2019

Jim Myers has joined Pratt Clay after 16 years on the defense side, the last eight as a partner at Insley & Race.

News

Georgia City Fires Judge Over Bullying Allegations

The Associated Press| March 20, 2019

The recently formed city of South Fulton has fired its first municipal judge over allegations that she bullied workers and approved filming a reality TV show in her courtroom.

News

Meet the Lawyer Behind South Carolina's $1.5B Lottery Winner

Susan DeSantis| March 20, 2019

Before Jason Kurland knew it, he was handling $2.5 billion in lottery winnings and had become a national celebrity of sorts.

Event

Register Now! An Insider's Tour of Lean Adviser Tools

Law.com Editors| March 20, 2019

Get more from your free Think Lean daily messages. Learn how these daily reminders can help you grow your practice and drive repeat business.

News

One Way to Pass the Time in Court: Help Hungry People

Jonathan Ringel | March 19, 2019

"I like helping people, and I hate the idea that there are children, veterans and working families who don't know if or when their next meal is coming," one of last year's winners said.

News

11th Circuit Tosses Law Firm's Claim, With Medicare Tutorial

Katheryn Tucker | March 19, 2019

“The Medicare statute is almost ‘so incoherent [it] cannot be understood,’” Judge Amul Thapar from the Sixth Circuit wrote.

News

Appeals Court Says Binding Arbitration Clauses Apply to Legal Malpractice Claims

Greg Land | March 19, 2019

The Court of Appeals reversed a trial judge who refused to enforce a binding arbitration clause he found to be an unconscionable violation of public policy.

News

Appeals Court OK's Racketeering Claims Against Lawyers in Waffle House Sex Tape Case

R. Robin McDonald | March 19, 2019

In their dissents, two judges said the claims against the lawyers must be dismissed.

News

Freeman Mathis & Gary Beats Back $12.5M Lawsuit Over Death of Drunken Pedestrian

Ellis Kim | March 19, 2019

The trial involved a drunken pedestrian who had passed out in the middle of the roadway at night.

News

Effingham Jury Awards $3M in Estate Claim for Interstate Crash

Katheryn Tucker | March 19, 2019

Ashleigh Madison and Bart Turner said the jury deliberated for an hour and 20 minutes before returning the $3 million verdict.

News

Two Personal Injury Defense Wins in One Week for Bovis, Kyle, Burch & Medlin

Greg Land | March 19, 2019

A federal jury cleared the firm's client of liability in a residential construction accident that left a man paralyzed, while a Banks County jury awarded just over $8,000 to a woman who claimed nearly $300,000 in medical bills after being struck in a parking lot.

News

Marietta Tech Center Secures $44M in Refinancing Funding

John Jordan | March 19, 2019

The deal was reported by Bethesda, MD-based commercial real estate finance firm Walker & Dunlop, which represented California-based Praelium Commercial Real Estate and South Street Partners of Charlotte, NC, in refinancing the property as part of a restructuring and recapitalization of the ownership entity.

News

Costco captive insurer pays $3.6 million in back taxes, penalties

Steven A. Meyerowitz| March 19, 2019

NW Re Limited has agreed to pay Washington Insurance Dept. to settle charges for several years of unauthorized activity.

Q&A

'Questions for the Bench': Judge Mark Cohen of the U.S. District Court

Jonathan Ringel | March 18, 2019

"If I could mandate one change in the practice of law, it would be to ban the use of e-mail communication between civil practitioners."

News

Prominent Political Lawyers Regroup at Taylor English From Strickland Brockington Lewis

Meredith Hobbs | March 18, 2019

Partner Bryan Tyson continues to defend government agencies in slew of suits filed over November elections.

News

Over Lunch, Working Lawyer Moms Mull Their Career and Family Choices

Jonathan Ringel | March 18, 2019

Experiences varied widely—from women who were fired from jobs in the middle of their pregnancies to others who extolled generous parental leave.

Commentary

How Private Trade Secret Cases Collide With DOJ’s War on Criminal Trade Secret Theft

Kamal Ghali and Jeffrey Chen| March 18, 2019

The marked rise of trade secret theft prosecutions should prompt civil practitioners to consider how their civil litigation strategies may impact an ongoing criminal investigation.

'All Our Clients Are Gone': How South Florida Lawyers Hit Big Tobacco With Bittersweet $37M Verdict

Raychel Lean | March 18, 2019

"There’s really no more cutting-edge and important industry to hold accountable for misdeeds than the tobacco industry," said Jonathan Gdanski of the Schlesinger Law Offices, who worked with Brittany Chambers and Steven Hammer to land a $37 million victory against cigarette-makers R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris.

News

Sotomayor Is 'Profoundly Troubled' by Georgia Death Penalty Case

Tony Mauro | March 18, 2019

"I concur in the denial of Tharpe’s petition. I write because I am profoundly troubled by the underlying facts of this case," Justice Sonia Sotomayor said Monday.

News

What We Know: Discrimination, Harassment Claims Dog Dees’ SPLC Departure

R. Robin McDonald | March 15, 2019

In a public statement posted on its website and emailed to the media late Thursday, the Southern Poverty Law Center's president said the co-founder of the Montgomery, Alabama, civil rights organization that has battled the Ku Klux Klan and other hate groups for nearly 50 years, “is no longer working at the SPLC.”

News

Lawmakers Ponder Yet Another Bid to Loosen Sovereign Immunity Strictures

Greg Land | March 15, 2019

Prior efforts to overcome sweeping state Supreme Court rulings barring nearly all claims were vetoed by the governor or died in committee. The author hopes the "Goldilocks" bill "gets it just right."

News

'My Cousin Vinny' Has Yet Another Fan in Melton, Who Finds Mentoring Gems in It

Katheryn Tucker | March 15, 2019

Michelle West, director of the bar’s Transition Into Law Practice Program, reveals Chief Justice Harold Melton's favorite legal movie, and shares some relevant dialogue, in the current issue of the Georgia Bar Journal.

News

Alston Partners Explore 'Frontier' of Anti-Corruption Enforcement in Construction Industry

Phillip Bantz| March 15, 2019

With big-money projects involving chains of subcontractors, the construction industry has become a target-rich environment for the Justice Department.

Quiz

Feeling Quizzy? It's Time to Test Your Knowledge

Jonathan Ringel | March 15, 2019

It was a busy week. Were you paying attention or just practicing law?

News

Tenants' class action against NYC buildings flooded by Sandy dismissed

Jason Grant| March 15, 2019

The lawsuit was brought on behalf of tenants at the 2 Gold St. and 201 Pearl St. buildings, both of which were evacuated.

News

FisherPhillips Makes Big Gains in Revenue, Profit

Meredith Hobbs | March 14, 2019

A jump in demand fueled the national labor and employment firm's profit rebound.

News

Former US Attorney, University GC Offers Thoughts on Admissions Scandal

Jonathan Ringel | March 14, 2019

“I’d get calls frequently” from people asking if a generous contribution would help their teenager get into the school.

News

Justices Say $5M Verdict Against Bank Execs Subject to Apportionment

Greg Land | March 14, 2019

Ruling in response to questions from a federal appeals panel, Georgia's justices said a trial judge was wrong to declare that "purely pecuniary damages" are not subject to Georgia's 2005 apportionment statute.

News

Southern Poverty Law Center Dismisses Morris Dees

The Associated Press| March 14, 2019

A statement by Richard Cohen, the president of the Southern Poverty Law Center, said Morris Dees' employment had been terminated, but it did not give a specific reason.

News

Georgia Attorney Embroiled in Alleged $4M Bitcoin Fraud

R. Robin McDonald | March 14, 2019

A federal judge has frozen multiple trust accounts of Georgia attorney Diana McDonald and ordered her to turn over a slew of financial records and communications.

11th Circuit Rules Cop Can Be Sued for Excessive Force

Katheryn Tucker| March 14, 2019

“This case presents the question whether a police officer is entitled to qualified immunity when he intentionally applies unnecessarily tight handcuffs to an arrestee who is neither resisting arrest nor attempting to flee, thereby causing serious and permanent injuries,” Judge Stanley Marcus said.

News

How to Reduce Student Debt and Increase College Affordability

Bernice Napach | March 14, 2019

There is no shortage of recommendations, according to a hearing at the House Committee on Education and Labor.

News

Kemp's JNC Seeks All Types of Applicants, but Some Question Panel's Diversity

Jonathan Ringel | March 14, 2019

The 25-member Judicial Nominating Commission includes 13 white men, eight white women, two African-American men, one Asian woman and one Indian woman.

News

NACDL President Findling Cheers California Ban on Executions

Katheryn Tucker | March 14, 2019

“Time and again, the death penalty, as much of America’s criminal justice system, has been demonstrated to be racist, discriminatory, ineffective, expensive, and a stain on this nation,” said National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers president Drew Findling.

News

Appeals Panel Upholds Dismissal of Taylor English Legal-Mal Suit

Greg Land | March 14, 2019

The complaint accused Taylor English Duma and partner Michael Trotter of legal malpractice for drafting an operating agreement that allowed an investment company to unilaterally shut down a company set up to make and market a medical CPAP device invented by the plaintiff.

News

Court Denies Ford's Appeal of Sanctions—Again

Katheryn Tucker | March 14, 2019

The order sends the case back to Gwinnett County State Court Judge Shawn Bratton without disturbing his ruling that Ford be punished by preclusion of its defense on charges the company knowingly made an unsafe roof.

Workers’ comp impact of expanding leave of absence regs

Kimberly George and Mark Walls| March 14, 2019

Workers’ compensation stakeholders face a variety of hurdles trying to navigate and implement leave and accommodation policies.

News

Kilpatrick Saw 'Exceptionally Good' Year, Leaping Forward in Revenue, Profits

Meredith Hobbs | March 13, 2019

A 6.2 percent revenue rise helped boost the firm's profit per equity partner by more than 10 percent to $1.12 million.

News

GDOT Pays $2.5M to Settle Triple-Fatality Flooded Highway Suits

Greg Land | March 13, 2019

Only the driver survived when his SUV hydroplaned on a flooded Miller County highway and flipped into a water-filled ditch, drowning his fiancee and two children.

News

Lin Wood Files $275M Defamation Suit Against CNN

R. Robin McDonald | March 13, 2019

The defamation suit was filed on behalf of Nicholas Sandmann, 16, in a MAGA hat whose visage went viral after an encounter with a Native American activist on the National Mall.

How the Judiciary Changed Conduct Rules to Pierce Culture of Confidentiality

Tony Mauro | March 13, 2019

“We are not done,” said Chief Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. “We won’t be done until we do everything we can do.”

News

Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb and Gwinnett Counties Sued Over Election Problems, Long Waits

Russ Bynum, Associated Press| March 12, 2019

"The November 2018 elections were plagued with problems that placed inexcusable and unjustifiable burdens on the right to vote," the lawsuit said.

News

In Through the 'Side Door': Wiretap Outlines Willkie Leader's Alleged Role in Admissions Scandal

Christine Simmons | March 12, 2019

“I’m not worried about the moral issue here,” Gordon Caplan allegedly told a fixer who promised to inflate his daughter's ACT score.

News

Ex-Holland & Knight Partner Charles Johnson Named Tuskegee GC

Katheryn Tucker | March 12, 2019

“We are fortunate to have someone of Mr. Johnson’s caliber guiding the university’s legal affairs,” Tuskegee President Lily D. McNair said.

News

Lyft Driver Gets 35-Year Sentence for Rape of Drunken Passenger

Katheryn Tucker | March 12, 2019

“Sir, she was vulnerable and she was at your mercy,” Judge Ann Harris said upon sentencing. “You decided you were going to have sex with her, and that is rape.”

In Policy Shift, Life Insurers Back Mandatory Retirement Plans

Elizabeth Festa | March 12, 2019

ACLI supports a bill floated by Rep. Neal that would mandate employers offer a retirement plan.

News

Lawsuit Targets Bird e-Scooter Over Claimed Brake Lockup

Greg Land | March 12, 2019

The attorney for a man seriously injured when his Bird e-scooter suddenly veered sharply said boilerplate language forfeiting right to litigate negligence claims in court is a major hurdle for unwary users who click on the app.

News

Emory Edges UGA in US News Law School Rankings

Jonathan Ringel | March 12, 2019

The near-tie occurred because Emory fell four spots and Georgia gained five spots from last year's rankings, with Emory at 22 and Georgia at 32.

News

Rainy Days Don't Quench Florida-Georgia Water War

Jonathan Ringel | March 12, 2019

Florida estimates the water problem could be alleviated by $35 million a year spent by Georgia, which argues the fixes would cost "hundreds of millions—if not billions" of dollars.

News

Reversal of $5.3M Bad-Faith Claim 'a Big Deal for Insurers'

Katheryn Tucker | March 12, 2019

“It’s a big deal for insurers,” said J. Stephen Berry, who previously handled the case for First Acceptance. Berry worked on the case for nearly five years with Dentons, and recently left to become GC for Builders Insurance Group.

News

Landlord Can't Be Sued for Pit Bull Attack, Ga. High Court Rules

Katheryn Tucker | March 12, 2019

Justice Sarah Warren wrote the unanimous opinion reversing the Georgia Court of Appeals and reinstating Henry County State Court Judge Jason Harper’s summary judgment in favor of the landlord, who can't be held liable for his tenants' dogs.

Who’s liable in a drone crash?

Jeff Ellis| March 12, 2019

As more drones disrupt airline operations and endanger passengers, determining liability and insurance coverage for damages is critical.

News

Bambi Bedlam: Cars Stopped for Deer Leads to Wreck, $5M Verdict

Greg Land | March 11, 2019

The wreck near Duluth happened after a driver stopped for a deer in the road and was struck by a following motorist who then hit yet another driver.

News

Supreme Court Tosses Cellphone Evidence in Former Emory Law Student's Murder Trial

R. Robin McDonald | March 11, 2019

The Supreme Court of Georgia said police and prosecutors waited too long to obtain search warrants for data on electronic devices they had held in custody for more than a year.

News

Small-Town Newspaper Wins Legal Notices Over Big-City Daily

Katheryn Tucker | March 11, 2019

“Thus, while it might be perfectly sensible to update or revise OCGA §9-13-142 in light of these technological advances, ‘it is the job of the legislature, not the courts, to rewrite or revise statutes.’ In any event, online publishing is not at issue in this case," Chief Judge Stephen Dillard said. At issue: "hard copy newspapers.”

News

Supreme Court of Georgia Disbars 1

Eden Landow | March 11, 2019

One attorney discipline opinion was released Monday.

News

Court of Appeals Greenlights Class Action Against SunTrust for Overdraft Fees

Katheryn Tucker | March 11, 2019

Bickerstaff has alleged that the bank's $36 overdraft fee for sometimes tiny debits amounts to unreasonably high interest rates on small loans. As many as 400,000 customers could be class members, the lawsuit says, potentially costing the bank tens if not hundreds of millions of dollars.

News

Court of Appeals Affirms $46M Med Mal Verdict

Katheryn Tucker | March 11, 2019

Georgia Court of Appeals Judge Sara Doyle said Fulton County State Court Judge Fred Eady did not make any errors in the trial, even though he thought he did.

News

Both Sides Cheer $500K Verdict Against Andrew Young III Over Sale of TV Network

Greg Land | March 08, 2019

Music promoter Bernard Parks Jr. claimed Andrew Young III owed him nearly $5 million from his efforts recruiting founders of Bounce TV, which was sold to Scripps in 2017.

News

Georgia Judge Guides Readers Through Atlanta's Rap Music Scene in Court Decision

Katheryn Tucker | March 08, 2019

“What started off as a jam-packed week of parties, concerts, and watching renowned rappers mixing new music tracks in the waning days of summer abruptly ended with Norris Gresham being dragged down a flight of 30 stairs and viciously pistol whipped in front of a crowd of onlookers,” Chief Judge Stephan Dillard began.

Q&A

Lawyers Aren't the Only Ones With Difficult Clients

Jane Wollman Rusoff| March 08, 2019

Antonio Rodrigues tells ThinkAdvisor how he serves high-maintenance clients — and maintains a 95% retention rate.

Analysis

For Attorneys of Color, Barriers to the General Counsel Role Remain

Caroline Spiezio | March 08, 2019

Legal departments are generally more inclusive than big law firms, but diversity advocates said there's still work to be done, especially at the general counsel level.

News

Fast-Growing Butler Snow Names First New Chair in 14 Years

Roy Strom | March 08, 2019

The Southeast-centered firm's new chairman has big shoes to fill, after Butler Snow opened more than 20 offices under its prior leader's watch.

'Laughter Is a Blood Sport' at the Supreme Court, Scholars Say in New Study

Marcia Coyle | March 08, 2019

Humor at the U.S. Supreme Court is less an "indication not of lighthearted, good-natured jesting" than a "rhetorical weapon," legal scholars Tonja Jacobi and Matthew Sag contend.

Quiz

Billables-Shmillables! It's Quiz Time, Counselor

Jonathan Ringel | March 08, 2019

Test your knowledge of this week's important—and not-so-important—legal details.

Analysis

New legislation could affect cybersecurity, counterfeit airbags & storm chasers

Matthew J. Smith, Esq.| March 08, 2019

Bills in several states could have a negative impact on insurance carriers and their fraud-fighting efforts.

Chart

Duke, Vanderbilt and Emory Lead the Area in Graduates at Biggest Law Firms

Karen Sloan| March 07, 2019

These schools sent the highest percentage of 2018 graduates to associate jobs at the largest 100 firms.

News

Ex-Equifax Chief Info Officer Pleads Guilty to Fraud in Insider Trading Case

R. Robin McDonald | March 07, 2019

The former chief information officer of a division of Atlanta-based Equifax is the second former employee of the credit reporting agency charged with engaging in insider trading based on confidential knowledge of a 2017 data breach before the company went public with the news.

Justice to Georgia Congressman: SCOTUS Is 'Doing Better Now' on Minority Law Clerk Hiring

Mike Scarcella| March 07, 2019

In rare public hearing, Kagan and Alito talk law clerks, cameras and ethics. Roberts is considering the creation of a SCOTUS code of conduct.

News

Walt Moeling, Adviser to Georgia Banks, Dies

Meredith Hobbs | March 07, 2019

Moeling, known as the godfather of community banking law in the South, died March 4 after a 50-year career serving as a trusted and straight-talking adviser to small-town banks in Georgia and beyond. He was 76.

News

Lawsuit Fights 'Coerced' Mandatory Texas Bar Membership

Greg Land | March 07, 2019

Three Texas lawyers say they have no desire to be members of the State Bar of Texas and do not support its "diversity" initiatives or other programs aimed at assisting immigrants who have crossed the border illegally or those based on lawyers race, gender and sexual orientation.

News

Scooby-Doo Warms Up Chat With Chief Justice

Katheryn Tucker | March 07, 2019

Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton talked to a writer from the University of Georgia magazine about his law school days, his first job with the AG, early thoughts on criminal justice reform—and how Scooby-Doo came to be his screen saver.

Despite Changes, Ga. Supreme Court Caseload Up, Court of Appeals Down

Greg Land | March 07, 2019

After 2016 legislation expanded the Georgia Supreme Court and Court of Appeals and shifted a big chunk of cases from the former to the latter, why are both courts' caseloads relatively flat? It's complicated.

News

Publix Promotes New General Counsel From Within

Kristen Rasmussen | March 07, 2019

Merriann Metz, who also will hold the title of vice president and secretary, on May 31 will succeed a retiring John Attaway, who joined Publix in 1997 and started the Lakeland, Florida-based grocery giant's corporate legal department.

News

Governor Kemp Rolls Out Harassment Prevention Plan

Katheryn Tucker | March 07, 2019

“The State of Georgia does not tolerate sexual harassment in the workplace, and the State of Georgia is committed to providing a harassment free workplace and environment for its employees and all citizens who interact with the state government,” Gov. Brian Kemp said in an executive order.

News

Partners Launch New Family Law Firm Based on 'Big Picture' Approach

Meredith Hobbs | March 07, 2019

The four partners in Elovitz, Edwards, O’Nan & Buerlein said they knew each other from trying cases against each other over the years—and decided it was time to join forces.

News

Atlanta Prosecutors to Handle Epstein Victims' Rights Case

The Associated Press| March 07, 2019

A Florida federal judge ruled last month that former Miami U.S. Attorney Alexander Acosta's prosecutors violated the victims' rights by secretly reaching a nonprosecution agreement with Epstein.

Expert Opinion

Defending construction defect claims

Luis A. Barba, Esq. and Anthony daFonseca, Esq.| March 07, 2019

An insured can be held liable for failing to perform their duties with the generally expected degree of competence.

News

US House Oversight Committee Opens Investigation of Georgia Elections

R. Robin McDonald | March 06, 2019

U.S. House Oversight Committee Chairman Elijah Cummings has asked the state to turn over hundreds, and possibly thousands, of documents and communications related to the November 2018 election.

Atlanta Contractor Accused of Bribing Lawyer at City Hall

R. Robin McDonald | March 06, 2019

An Atlanta businessman allegedly paid more than $40,000 in bribes to Atlanta attorney Adam Smith for three years while Smith was the chief procurement officer at City Hall, according to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday.

News

Ex-Associate Alleges North Carolina Firm Used Her as 'Diversity Prop'

Scott Flaherty | March 06, 2019

Sharika Robinson's complaint calls Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson a "good ol’ boys club," but the firm says it's committed to diversity and inclusion.

News

Duke Star Zion Williamson May Have Slam-Dunk Case Against Nike, but Some Lawyers Doubt He'll Just Do It

Max Mitchell | March 06, 2019

According to several attorneys, Zion Williamson has a clear case against several parties involved, and, depending on what contracts are at play, Duke could have claims as well. But damages could prove to be a high hurdle for any potential plaintiff to surmount.

News

Business as Usual for Talc Company's Atlanta Lawyers During Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Kristen Rasmussen| March 06, 2019

Because Imerys Talc America Inc., the supplier of talc for Johnson & Johnson Services Inc.'s baby powder, is likely to use a bankruptcy procedure whereby litigants' claims that talc caused cancer are satisfied through trust assets set up during the process, the company and its legal department will likely operate normally, bankruptcy experts told Corporate Counsel.

News

Suspended Judge's Counsel Contends Judicial Watchdog Appointments Are Illegal

R. Robin McDonald | March 06, 2019

A Cobb County judge will hear a petition filed by former Gov. Roy Barnes claiming that members of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission were illegally appointed.

News

Judges, Clerks Warned to Avoid Partisan Training Programs

Ellis Kim | March 06, 2019

The Judicial Conference of the United States’ Committee on Codes of Conduct published an advisory opinion after senators raised concerns about a Heritage Foundation program catered to future clerks.

News

Justice Foretells Future Debate on Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Katheryn Tucker | March 06, 2019

“I am skeptical that our analytical approach to the Cruel and Unusual Punishment Clause of the Georgia Constitution is consistent with the original public meaning of that Clause,” Justice Nels Peterson said.

News

Board of Pardons and Paroles Hears a Pardon Success Story

Katheryn Tucker | March 06, 2019

The board granted Suzanne Kilgore a full pardon in 2017 for drug related convictions in 1997 and 2003. Chairman Terry Barnard said she was either the first or one of the first people pardoned to come back and tell the board the rest of the story.

Attorney General Asks Lawyers to Donate One Billable Hour to Food Banks

Jonathan Ringel | March 06, 2019

Given that food banks can stretch $1 into four meals, the $250 billable hour figure represents 1,000 meals for struggling families that rely on food banks.

Appellate Judges Have a Thing About Citing 'My Cousin Vinny': Merrick Garland Edition

Mike Scarcella| March 05, 2019

The 1992 film shot in Georgia (depicting Alabama) is a favorite for judges.

Supreme Court’s Last ‘Crier’ Has Stories to Tell About Long-Gone Justices

Tony Mauro | March 05, 2019

Unlike many court traditions, the crier no longer exists. Meet George Hutchinson, the last crier of the court, who served in that role from 1952 to 1962.

News

Drew Eckl Opens Albany Office

Meredith Hobbs | March 05, 2019

The firm's Albany office, formed by absorbing a two-partner firm, is its second branch office outside Atlanta—and its first new location in more than 20 years.

News

11th Circuit Junks Body Shops' Antitrust Claims Against State Farm, Other Carriers

Greg Land | March 05, 2019

The multidistrict litigation accused State Farm and numerous other insurers of conspiring to drive down the prices they pay for repairs by agreeing on a preset “market rate,” enforcing compliance by steering insureds to businesses that agree to their terms and boycotting those that refuse.

Commentary

Former GC Says Legal Departments Need to Play Offense

Dan Sanders| March 05, 2019

With a single player (could be an inside or outside resource), a game plan can be designed to identify and pursue, systematically, monies which may be owed to the company as a result of actions or omissions by third parties.

News

High Court Says No to Lifetime Monitoring for Sex Offenders

Katheryn Tucker | March 05, 2019

“It’s going to affect a lot of people,” said Mark Yurachek, who made the winning argument against adding lifetime electronic monitoring for sex offenders who have already served their sentences.

News

Native American Tribes Ask for Separate Discovery Track Over Equifax Breach

Amanda Bronstad | March 04, 2019

Lawyers representing three Native American tribes have filed a motion to create a separate discovery track in the Equifax data breach litigation for Indian tribal governments.

News

Governor Replaces Agency Head Who Fired Three Black Administrators

R. Robin McDonald | March 04, 2019

The state paid out $1.5 million to settle a race discrimination suit stemming from the firing of three black employees.

News

Lewis Brisbois Grows to 50 Offices With Savannah Location

Meredith Hobbs | March 04, 2019

Brantley Rowlen has relocated to Savannah from Atlanta to lead the new office. Joining him is partner Jeff Ward, arriving from another firm.

Over 300 Step Up for AVLF's PurSHOEing Justice Fundraiser

John Disney | March 04, 2019

A powerful moment of the evening's events at the offices of King & Spalding was a survivor's speech about receiving assistance from the Safe Families Office in taking action against her abuser.

News

Jury Awards $6.6M in Damages, Fees After Business Deal Ends in Fraud

Greg Land | March 04, 2019

The verdict included $1.8 million in attorney fees and $750,000 in punitive damages for the credit card processing company that said the defendants funneled $4.3 million of its money into an offshore family trust and to buy cars, homes and gold.