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AZ Law Firm Hired to Handle UT Ski Bus Case
Law Firm News |
2008/01/11 17:16
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A Scottsdale law firm announced Thursday that it is representing two families who suffered injuries and one death Jan. 6 after a ski bus rolled 41 feet down an embankment in southern Utah.
Nine died and 23 were injured in the accident near Mexican Hat, Utah.
The Rasmussen and Torres families have hired Scott A. Maasenand Jeffry R.Gill of M.G. Law Group, a personal injury firm specializing in trucking and bus cases.
Marc Rasmussen, an 18-year-old Deer Valley High School senior, died in the wreckage. His mother, Kim, and four other family members, including a 5-year-old boy, were injured.
Some family members have been released, but Kim remains hospitalized in the San Juan Regional Hospital in Farmington, N.M.
The firm also represents the family of Daniel Torres, 18, Willow Canyon High School student in Surprise.
Maasen said friends of the victims contacted his firm this week. He began interviewing them Tuesday.
He said it is too early to say whether the families will file a lawsuit against Arrow Stage Lines, the Nebraska-based motor coach company contracted to take 17 busloads of skiers to and from Telluride, Colo., for a three-day ski trip Jan.3-6.
"That is the last thing on the victim's minds," Maasen said of a lawsuit. "What is on their minds is getting better and healing."
The National Transportation Safety Board and Utah Highway Patrol are conducting an investigation into the cause of the Jan. 6 accident on State Route 163, near Mexican Hat in southern Utah.
The investigation includes analysis of a "data collector" on board the bus that logs speed at the time of the accident, its exact position on the high desert highway, and records video of the driver.
A Utah Highway patrolman who investigated the accident said the driver, Walland Lotan, 71, was driving at the 65 mph speed limit when he rounded a tight curve, plunging the 52 passengers into the embankment. But Sgt. Rick Eldredge said the driver should have slowed by several miles an hour as he approached the curve.
Maasen said his firm is doing its own probe of the deadly wreck.
"There are a lot of pieces to this puzzle," he said. "We want to know why this happened." |
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Attorney Margaret Mann Joins Sheppard Mullin
Law Firm News |
2008/01/08 17:08
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Margaret M. Mann hasjoined the San Diego office of Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP aspartner in the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group. Mann most recently led Heller Ehrman'sRestructuring and Insolvency practice and was the firm’s National Hiring Chair. Mann has significantexperience in large, complex domestic and international insolvency proceedingson behalf of creditors, fiduciaries, borrowers and other interested parties,with expertise in the franchise and tax credit syndication industries. She is skilled in negotiating, documenting andlitigating complicated financial transactions, particularly in the technologyfield and in regard to financial contracts such as swaps, repo agreements andforward contracts. "Margaret is oneof the preeminent bankruptcy attorneys in San Diego and is well known inbankruptcy circles nationally. She issmart, affable and industrious," said Guy Halgren, chairman of the firm. "The timing of Margaret joining us isperfect, as San Diego partner Laura Taylor was recently appointed to the U.S.Bankruptcy Court." "With more than25 years of experience, Margaret adds significantly to our bankruptcy practice,"commented Alan Martin, the head of the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practicegroup. "In the current businessclimate where restructurings and insolvencies are on the upswing, Margaret'scommercial litigation and bankruptcy expertise is of even greater value toclients." Commented Mann, "SheppardMullin occupies a strategic position in California and beyond, and offers thesupport needed to handle sophisticated bankruptcy matters. I am greatly impressed by the firm'sdedication to client service and its reputation as a 'go-to' firm for bankingand restructuring clients." Mann's recent, representative matters include: In re First Magnus(represented agent for syndicate on $100 million repurchase facility), WashingtonMutual Capital Corporation (represented in repurchase trades), enforcedrights for major tax credit syndicator in In re 500 West Broadway and Inre St Casimir Development LLP, In re Magis Networks (debtor's counsel inwireless video Chapter 11 with technology sold in 45 days), In re PinnFund (representedpreference recipient and obtained $4 million summary judgment), CommercialMoney Center (creditor counsel in $400 million failed pooled investmentfund), and In re Cimm’s, Inc. Consolidated Case (debtors’ counsel in$100 million franchise case, successfully reorganized in one year). Sheppard Mullin has 80attorneys based in its San Diego offices. The firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group includes more than 70attorneys firmwide. Mannearned a J.D. from the University of Southern California School of Law in 1981and was a member of the Hale Moot Court Honors Program. She received a B.A. in finance, withdistinction, from University of Illinois in 1978. Mann is a fellow in the American College ofbankruptcy. About Sheppard Mullin Richter &Hampton LLP Sheppard Mullin is a full service AmLaw 100 firm with more than 520attorneys in 10 offices located throughout California and in New York,Washington, D.C. and Shanghai. Thefirm's California offices are located in Los Angeles, San Francisco, SantaBarbara, Century City, Orange County, Del Mar Heights and San Diego. Founded in 1927 onthe principle that the firm would succeed only if its attorneys deliveredprompt, high quality and cost-effective legal services, Sheppard Mullinprovides legal counsel to U.S. and international clients. Companies turn toSheppard Mullin to handle a full range of corporate and technology matters,high stakes litigation and complex financial transactions. In the U.S., the firm's clients include morethan half of the Fortune 100 companies. Formore information, please visit www.sheppardmullin.com. |
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Nixon Peabody Names Richard Langan Jr. as CEO
Law Firm News |
2008/01/07 19:34
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Nixon Peabody LLP said Monday it named Richard Langan Jr. to take over the law firm as chief executive and managing partner.
He will move into his new role May 1, succeeding Harry Trueheart III, who has been at the helm for more than 13 years and will become the firm's nonexecutive chairman.
In Trueheart's new capacity, he will focus on client relationships, firm strategy and special projects, according to a company statement.
A Nixon Peabody spokeswoman said the New York-based international law firm's largest offices are in New York, D.C., Boston and San Francisco. The firm employs 700 attorneys. It has 110 attorneys in D.C., according to Washington Business Journal research.
Langan joined Nixon Peabody in 1980 as a first-year associate. He was most recently chair of the firm's business and financial services department. Langan is also a director of Minetta Brook, a non-for-profit arts foundation in New York.
About three months ago, the firm appointed Karen Greenbaum chief operating officer. She formerly was president and chief operating officer for Mercer LLC's U.S. operations. Greenbaum replaced John Gerhard, who announced his retirement after 25 years with the firm. |
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Spilman Law Firm Joins World Services Group
Law Firm News |
2008/01/07 19:29
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Spilman Thomas & Battle announced it has joined World Services Group, a network that provides access to the services of other members.
The World Services Group provides a local, regional, national and global forum for communication, information exchange, networking and identification of business expansion opportunities, Spilman said. This is accomplished through peer-to-peer networking, professional development and annual conferences.
Spilman said it is the exclusive West Virginia law firm member of World Services Group. There are more than 130 member firms. The firms operate in more than 115 countries and throughout the United States.
Eric Iskra, Spilman's member in charge of client relations, said in a prepared statement that after researching the opportunity to join World Services Group, "we could only come to one conclusion - that membership would reap huge benefits for our clients. We are also pleased that this network does not limit us to the West Virginia boundaries, but allows our clients to benefit throughout our region."
Spilman, headquartered in Charleston, has offices in Morgantown and Wheeling; Pittsburgh.; Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Roanoke, Va |
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Crowell & Moring Add Partner in Irvine Office
Law Firm News |
2008/01/07 19:27
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Crowell & Moring LLP is pleased to announce the addition of partner Karen A. Gibbs to the firm's Irvine, California office. Gibbs joins Crowell & Moring's Antitrust Group and will anchor the firm's Health Care Group on the West Coast. She previously
held the position of lead in-house counsel at Applied Medical, a privately-held global medical device company headquartered in California.
Gibbs represents companies in the medical device, pharmaceutical, biotechnology and other health care and life science sectors. She also has successfully represented companies in the airline, computer hardware and software, currency exchange, food and beverage, office products, sports equipment and telecommunications industries. Gibbs focuses on antitrust and unfair competition litigation, anti-kickback and false claims matters, sales and marketing ethics, patent and trade secret disputes, the intersection of antitrust and intellectual property law, licensing disputes, non-compete and employment disputes, and distribution transactions and disputes.
"Karen is a major talent and we are very happy to have her on board," said Steven P. Rice, head of Crowell & Moring's California office. "Her track record in representing health care and life science companies makes her an important legal player in the industry. She will anchor the firm's health care practice in California and complement our existing antitrust, commercial litigation and intellectual property capabilities."
Gibbs said, "I joined Crowell & Moring, because, in addition to its noted strengths in antitrust, health care, intellectual property and complex litigation, the firm has a prominent Washington, DC presence and global focus. I also wanted to join a firm whose culture fosters team work and creativity to deliver outstanding client service to companies of all sizes, from start ups to Fortune 50 companies."
At Applied Medical, Gibbs headed the legal and contracts departments, managed all trial and litigation matters and provided general counsel to all of the company's operational groups and global subsidiaries. Her in-house experience provides her with insight into the challenges in-house business and legal teams face in an increasingly globally-competitive environment.
"There are increasingly intense competitive, distribution and compliance challenges in health care," said Gibbs. "Having counseled and represented a number of health care companies over the years and also having been an industry insider at a highly-competitive, global company for nearly five years, I understand the pressures in-house legal and business teams face to meet these challenges. My role is to help these teams and their companies meet these challenges using creative and multidisciplinary approaches."
Before joining Applied Medical, Gibbs practiced antitrust, intellectual property and commercial litigation with major law firms in Southern California and the Silicon Valley. In addition to representing Applied Medical both as outside and in-house counsel in multiple litigation matters and trials, Gibbs has successfully represented Amgen, Interpore Cross International (now Biomet), Sun Microsystems, Electronics for Imaging, Travelex Currency Services, and numerous other well-known companies.
Gibbs received her B.A. with a double major in Law & Society (Political Science) and Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara, with Distinction, Phi Beta Kappa and High Honors. She received her J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. During law school, Gibbs was Editor-in-Chief of the Hastings Communications and Entertainment Law Journal and also a judicial extern to the Honorable Joseph T. Sneed III of the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Crowell & Moring LLP is a full-service law firm with more than 350 lawyers practicing in litigation, antitrust, government contracts, health care, labor and employment, corporate, intellectual property and more than 40 other practice areas. More than two-thirds of the firm's attorneys regularly litigate disputes on behalf of domestic and international corporations, start-up businesses, and individuals. Crowell & Moring's extensive client work ranges from advising on one of the world's largest telecommunications mergers to representing governments and corporations on international arbitration matters. Based in Washington, D.C., the firm also has offices in California, New York, London, and Brussels. Visit Crowell & Moring online at
www.crowell.com. |
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Ulmer & Berne Elects 7 New Partners
Law Firm News |
2008/01/06 19:13
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Ulmer & Berne LLP, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2008, announced today the election of seven attorneys to the partnership. Attorneys include John M. Alten, Christopher D. Cathey, Paul J. Cosgrove, Rebecca B. Jacobs, Eric M. Robbins, Richik Sarkar and Wayne M. Serra. Detailed information on the attorneys is below.
John M. Alten of the Firm’s Cleveland office focuses his practice on complex business litigation, product liability and financial services litigation. Mr. Alten represents public and private companies and individuals in all aspects of business litigation, including disputes related to contracts, licensing, securities, product liability, construction, insurance, consumer law and corporate control. He is well-versed in all forms of alternative dispute resolution.
Christopher D. Cathey of the Firm’s Cincinnati office focuses his practice on civil litigation with an emphasis on commercial, financial services, employment, creditors’ rights, and personal injury litigation. His experience includes successfully defending financial institutions and other business entities on contractual, commercial and consumer finance disputes. Mr. Cathey handles a broad range of employment litigation including non-competition, trade secret and defense of employee wrongful termination claims. He also represents individuals and self-insured corporations in tort and insurance claims involving wrongful death, catastrophic injuries and toxic torts. Mr. Cathey was recognized as an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (2006-2007).
Paul J. (P.J.) Cosgrove of the Firm’s Cincinnati office represents medical device, pharmaceutical, and other manufacturers in product liability claims on a local, regional and national level. Mr. Cosgrove has represented manufacturers in defense of claims involving products such as latex gloves, infusion sets, catheters and prosthetic devices. He also represents companies in defense of claims involving dietary supplements, antidepressants, diabetes drugs, and a variety of cardiac drugs in response to government investigations. He handles all phases of the defense of complex cases, including presuit risk management and counseling, fact and expert depositions, electronic discovery, dispositive motion practice, Daubert challenges, mediation, trial and appeal. Outside the context of life sciences product liability litigation, Mr. Cosgrove represents companies in defense of catastrophic loss claims involving a variety of products including pipelines, fireplaces, cranes and airplanes, and also is involved in commercial litigation. He was recognized as an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (2007).
Rebecca B. Jacobs of the Firm’s Columbus office is a certified specialist in employment and labor law. She represents businesses on employment-related matters, including wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, employee leave, and wage and hour issues. She routinely counsels clients on issues relating to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and other federal and state statutes. She has created and performed training sessions on topics such as sexual harassment, pregnancy discrimination, and employee leave laws. Ms. Jacobs assists clients in developing employee policies and independent contractor agreements. Ms. Jacobs also handles ERISA litigation and represents financial institutions on issues including business litigation. She was named an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (2006-2007).
Eric M. Robbins of the Firm’s Cincinnati office focuses his practice on intellectual property. He counsels individual and corporate clients as to securement, ownership, licensing, avoidance of infringement, dispute resolution, and enforcement of patents, trademarks and copyrights. He also prepares and facilitates ongoing prosecution of patent applications at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in the electrical, mechanical, and computer science arts. Mr. Robbins’ patent litigation experience includes Federal Court and International Trade Commission cases. He has previously been named an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines.
Richik Sarkar of the Firm’s Cleveland office focuses his practice on business litigation, complex litigation and public law with expertise in business torts, contracts, corporate governance, securities and finance, real estate, real property taxation and education law. He represents financial institutions, school districts and various public and private corporations. Mr. Sarkar also works on alternative dispute resolution in the areas of commercial, product liability and public law. He is extremely active with Banking Law, Uniform Commercial Code, and Consumer Financial Services committees of the ABA Business Law Section and is on the Executive Board for the Business Law Section’s Young Lawyer Forum. Mr. Sarkar was recognized as an “Ohio Super Lawyer Rising Star” by Law & Politics and Cincinnati magazines (2005-2007).
Wayne M. Serra of the Firm’s Cleveland office practices in the areas of intellectual property creation and enforcement, with emphasis on software and computing device patents. Along with having represented two of the top United States patent filers, Mr. Serra has also counseled mid-sized and emerging companies on a wide variety of IP matters, including strategic portfolio advice, enforcement of intellectual property rights, and the evaluation, management, and monetization of patent portfolios. Mr. Serra previously served as Senior Intellectual Property Counsel for a medical imaging system manufacturer that is one of the top 200 companies in the Fortune Global 500. His experience also includes a substantial amount of patent litigation, licensing, and due diligence for technology transactions.
Ulmer & Berne LLP, established in 1908, is one of Ohio’s largest law firms. In 2007, the Firm was recognized in The BTI Consulting Group’s survey of corporate counsel as one of only 85 firms nationally that “delivers the best value for the dollar.” Also, in a survey of Fortune 500 companies by Corporate Counsel magazine, Ulmer & Berne has been chosen as a Go-To Law Firm® for both 2007 and 2008. Less than one-half of one percent of all the law firms in the US and abroad received this distinction.
A full-service Firm with 180 attorneys in Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Chicago, Ulmer & Berne represents publicly traded and privately held companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, family businesses, international joint ventures and affiliations, investor groups, start-ups and emerging businesses, public bodies and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.ulmer.com. |
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