The Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani Denver team successfully secured defense victories in COVID-19 trials in three different Colorado venues.
Partners Anna Reinert and John Palmeri, along with Senior Counsel Andrew Lavin represented a national staffing company in defense of a Defense Contractor Whistleblower Protection Act, 10 U.S.C. § 2409, claim. Following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado, the seven-person jury returned a unanimous defense verdict.
Partner Franz Hardy and Associate Stephanie Brizel represented an attorney accused of legal malpractice with respect to advice concerning a pre-marital agreement. The client was accused of failing to recommend an appropriate pre-martial agreement. The plaintiff contended he lost significant property as a result. Following voir dire, the plaintiff agreed to the dismissal of his claims with prejudice.
Partners John Palmeri and Greg Hearing represented a prominent family law attorney in a five-day bench trial. The plaintiff alleged she received negligent advice regarding a settlement to resolve her ongoing divorce. She requested damages of $6.4 million in closing argument based upon the earning capacity of her former husband. Following trial, the judge entered judgment in favor of the firm's client finding the plaintiff had failed to prove professional negligence or causation.
Trying three cases during the COVID-19 pandemic and securing three defense victories is a testament to the firm's ability to advocate for its clients’ interests even during these exceptional times. Each case involved significant additional preparation with respect to trial presentation and other courtroom logistics. The experience gleaned from these trials will help Gordon & Rees and its clients prepare to litigate matters to judgment through the end of the pandemic.
Counsels’ experience trying these cases and the considerations associated with trials during the pandemic will be the subject an upcoming webinar titled, "Trials During the Pandemic: Observations From Three Trials" scheduled for December 17, 2020, 11 a.m. Pacific. This webinar is offered complimentary as part of the Gordon & Rees National Professional Liability Webinar Series. To learn more and register, please click here.