Russell Buffkin Speaks at Lorman Seminar

Russell Buffkin spoke at a Lorman Education Services continuing legal education seminar entitled “Construction Lien Law in Alabama” on August 15, 2006 in Mobile, Alabama. The seminar centered on an explanation of the construction lien laws in Alabama and provided forms, techniques and strategies to properly create and preserve construction lien rights.

Andy Stivender Joins Firm

Andy Stivender joined the firm as an associate in August of 2006 after completing a two-year judicial clerkship with Associate Justice, Champ Lyons, Jr., of the Alabama Supreme Court. Andy is a 2004 grauduate, cum laude, from Cumberland School of Law where he served on the Law Review.

2006 Chambers and Partners Ranking

Chambers and Partners has released its 2006 ranking of law firms, and the Firm along with two of its partners achieved one of the top rankings issued in Alabama. Described as “Mobile’s finest”, Chambers reports that “the firm offers a range of legal services and enjoys a particularly strong reputation in litigation.” “The firm has successfully tried many high-profile cases in both federal and state courts, and it is expert in large and complex matters.” Among the Firm’s attorneys “Frederick Helmsing is praised for his diverse litigation practice, as is the effective John Leach.”

Ryan Luna Joins Firm

On January 25, 2006 Ryan Luna joined Helmsing, Leach as an associate attorney. Ryan is originally from Dora, Alabama, a small suburb of Birmingham. Ryan attended Lambuth University in Jackson, Tennessee on a football scholarship and graduated in 2000. Ryan then received his law degree from Cumberland School of Law in 2003. Before joining the Firm, Ryan’s practice was primarily in insurance defense litigation in state and federal courts.

Firm wins Just Compensation for Landowner

Warren Herlong represented a landowner whose Florence, Alabama property was partially taken for a road widening project. The Alabama Department of Transportation testified to only owing $131,000 as just compensation for the taking, but after the two and a half day jury trial the Firm recovered a judgment of $402,720 plus approximately $115,000 in pre-judgment interest for its client.

Firm Helps Church Recover Missing Money and Furniture

Warren Herlong and Casey Pipes successfully represented the AOH Church of God and the St. John AOH Church of God in an action to recover money and furniture that were taken from them by former members and the former pastor of the St. John AOH Church of God. The Jury returned a verdict in favor of the Firm’s clients in the exact amount requested by Casey and Warren, $557,227.26.

Warren Herlong Teaches at ABI-CLE Seminar

Warren Herlong presented a paper at the Alabama Bar Institute’s Continuing Legal Education (ABI-CLE) seminar entitled “What Every Real Estate Lawyer Needs To Know” which was held at the HealthSouth Conference Center in Birmingham, Alabama. Warren’s topic addressed the power of eminent domain and the condemnation process and procedure in Alabama with specific emphasis on representing the owner in a partial takings condemnation action.