Personal Injury & Product Liability • Obtained favorable settlements on behalf of numerous personal injury plaintiffs in premises liability and automobile accident cases. • Advised major equipment lessor regarding potential multi-million dollar claims for defects arising from outside maintenance practices. • Co-tried case to defense verdict on behalf of forklift manufacturer in multi-million dollar claim by untrained operator who sustained life-threatening and permanent injuries, including amputations, removal of internal organs, and brain damage. • Co-tried case to defense verdict on behalf of automobile manufacturer in SUV rollover case resulting in quadriplegia. • Successfully negotiated and settled numerous personal injury and product liability lawsuits on behalf of defendants, including wrongful death and catastrophic injuries involving aircraft, automobiles, industrial machinery and equipment, and asbestos. Creditors Rights • On behalf of dealer, obtained return of cross-collaterlized trucks and full payment of collection fees upon default and ensuing triple bankruptcy. Consumer Law • Obtained verdict against engine repair business for supplying defective product. • Obtained dismissal of many lemon law cases brought against automobile and recreational vehicle manufacturers.
Achievements
Aviation Law • Represented numerous manufacturers of aircraft and components against wrongful death and major personal injury litigation arising from crashes of major airliners and general aviation aircraft. • As co-trial counsel, helped to obtain defense verdict for airline against $37 million dollar claim arising from alleged brain injury suffered in flight. • Obtained significant appellate court ruling limiting exposure of airlines for liabilities occurring in airport. • Obtained significant appellate court ruling interpreting General Aviation Revitalization Act, which effectively cut off entire class of defect claims against major aircraft manufacturer arising from crashes of military surplus aircraft. • Assisted in defense and negotiation of settlement on behalf of State of Alaska against claims arising from crash of National Guard aircraft. • Co-tried case to defense verdict on behalf of general aviation aircraft manufacturer in wrongful death suit. Insurance Coverage • Authored numerous simple and complex coverage opinions regarding coverage for commercial, environmental, and product liabilities on potential losses, ranging from thousands to excess of one billion dollars. Employment Law • Enforced non-competition agreement against departing employee who went to work for competitor and hired fellow employees to join him. • Filed successful lawsuit against sheriff for defamation for providing false employment information regarding former deputy. • Negotiated settlement between executive director and board members in highly personal wrongful discharge dispute. Business LItigation Obtained multiple verdicts for payment of contract obligations.