Helmsing Leach Team Obtains Defense Verdict for Local Hospital

The Helmsing Leach trial team of Russell Buffkin, Karen Tucker, and Win Stuardi, along with co-counsel Susan Cooley of Schell Cooley, recently obtained a defense verdict in a six-day trial in Baldwin County, Alabama for a local hospital in a medical malpractice case arising out of the death of the patient. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs alleged that the patient’s death was caused by the negligence of the telemetry technician in failing to notify the nursing staff of a change in the patient’s oxygen saturation level. At trial, the hospital established, through well-developed testimony from the hospital’s staff, the patient’s treating physicians, and retained experts, that there was no breach of the standard of care because there was no physician order requiring the telemetry technician to monitor the patient’s oxygen saturation level. Through these same witnesses, the hospital also established that the patient’s death was not caused by any breach of the standard of care by the hospital, but instead was the unfortunate but unavoidable consequence of the patient’s end stage lung and heart disease. In closing, the plaintiffs requested the jury award $2 to $3 million in punitive damages; however, the testimony from the defense witnesses was sufficient to overcome the plea to the jury’s emotions, and the 12-member jury rendered a unanimous defense verdict after 25 minutes of deliberation.

Ryan Luna and Samantha Gunnoe Win Defense Verdict at Jury Trial

Helmsing Leach attorneys Ryan Luna and Samantha Gunnoe successfully represented defendant State Farm Fire and Casualty Company in a breach of contract case tried to a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama. The plaintiff’s claim was based on a first-party insurance claim for property damage caused by Hurricane Sally. The jury returned their verdict in our client’s favor in under six minutes of deliberation.

 

Casey Pipes to speak at National Eminent Domain Seminar in New Orleans

Helmsing Leach partner Casey Pipes will be on the faculty of the ALI-CLE Eminent Domain and Land Valuation Litigation seminar taking place February 1-3, 2024 in New Orleans. Casey will be presenting along with Patria McGarr, an appraiser with CohnReznick, and Philip Sanchez, a lawyer from New York, on a program titled, Art or Science? Demystifying Appraisal Practice for Juries, Judges, and Clients. For more information about this seminar, please visit https://www.ali-cle.org/course/Eminent-Domain-and-Land-Valuation-Litigation-2024-CF004.

Tom Gaillard Wins Appeal at the Alabama Supreme Court

Tom Gaillard successfully represented a municipal police chief and local municipality in a case involving claims for false arrest and improper prosecution. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the municipality and its police chief, and the plaintiff then filed an appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court. In a recent ruling in favor of our clients, the Alabama Supreme Court upheld the order of the trial court dismissing these claims against the city and its police chief.

Robert Rouse named Lawyer of the Year in Business Organizations & Tax Law

Helmsing Leach’s Robert Rouse was named Best Lawyers’ 2024 Lawyer of the Year in Business Organizations and Lawyer of the Year in Tax Law (Mobile, Ala.). Each year, Best Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers around the country via an extensive peer review. Only one attorney can be named a Lawyer of the Year in each location and practice area. Robert was also recognized by Best Lawyers for his Trusts and Estate practice this year.

Robert has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2007.

For more information about the firm’s Tax, Trusts, Estate and Probate practice, visit this link.

Joe Babington, Jim Newman, and Jeffery Hartley recognized as 2024 Benchmark Litigation Stars

Benchmark Litigation, a definitive guide to the world’s leading litigation firms and lawyers, has named Helming Leach partners Joe Babington, Jim Newman, and Jeffery Hartley Litigation Stars for 2024. Litigation Stars are identified through extensive interviews with litigators, dispute resolution specialists and their clients. Helmsing Leach is also distinguished as a recommended firm.

Joe Babington gives presentation on changes to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 to Mobile Bar Association

On September 20, 2023, Helmsing Leach partner Joe Babington made a presentation to the Mobile Bar Association’s “lunch and learn” series on “The Fast-approaching Amendments to Federal Rule of Evidence 702 – Revitalizing Judicial Gatekeeping.” These amendments, if not vetoed by Congress, become effective December 1, 2023. The amendments represent an effort by the Rules Committee to refocus federal courts on the burden placed on the proponent of expert evidence to satisfy all the requirements of rule 702 by a “more likely than not” standard, and to emphasize that the gatekeeping role includes the consideration of whether the expert has reliably applied the principles and methods at issue to the facts of the case.

If you or your company has any questions regarding the impact of these rule changes on your litigation matters, please contact Joe at 251.432.5521.

Bill Watts named Lawyer of the Year in Appellate Practice

Bill Watts was named Best Lawyers’ 2024 Lawyer of the Year in Appellate Practice for Mobile, Ala. Best Lawyers identifies elite lawyers throughout the country each year through extensive peer review. Bill has been recognized by Best Lawyers for the last 15 years.

For more information on Helmsing Leach’s appellate practice, visit this link.

Casey Pipes named Lawyer of the Year in Land Use and Zoning Law

Best Lawyers has named Casey Pipes the 2024 Lawyer of the Year in Mobile, Ala. for Land Use and Zoning Law. Best Lawyers is a highly regarded legal publication that conducts exhaustive peer reviews to name the most elite lawyers throughout the country. In addition to Land Use and Zoning Law, Casey was also recognized by Best Lawyers in the following practice areas this year:

  • Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
  • Litigation – Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation – Real Estate
  • Municipal Law
  • Real Estate Law

Casey has been recognized by Best Lawyers since 2011.

Visit this link for more information about Helmsing Leach’s Land Use and Zoning Law practice.

Jeffery Hartley named Lawyer of the Year in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law

Best Lawyers has named Jeffery Hartley Mobile, Ala.’s 2024 Lawyer of the Year in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. Recognition by Best Lawyers is highly regarded by legal professionals and clients. Only one attorney can be named Lawyer of the Year in a practice area and location.

Jeffery has been featured in Best Lawyers for the last 15 years. In addition to Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Jeffery was also recognized by Best Lawyers in the following practice areas this year:

  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Litigation – Bankruptcy

Visit our Bankruptcy & Creditor’s Rights page to learn more about Helmsing Leach’s work in this practice area.