PAT O’CONNOR APPOINTED TO STATE COMMITTEE
Managing Partner Patrick O’Connor has been appointed to serve as Vice-Chairperson of the Georgia Unlicensed Practice of Law Standing Committee, for a term ending in August, 2013.
PAT O'CONNOR AND BEN PERKINS SECURE FAVORABLE COURT OF APPEALS RULING
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed the State Court of Chatham County's grant of summary judgment to Oliver Maner client the City of Tybee Island in a case involving a woman's fall on a City dune crossover. The Court held that the Plaintiff's claims failed as a matter of law under the Georgia Recreational Property Act. The result is a complete victory for the City of Tybee Island, which was represented by Pat O’Connor and Ben Perkins. The case is Ledford v. City of Tybee Island, Georgia Court of Appeals case number A11A0249.
FOUR OLIVER MANER ASSOCIATES ELECTED TO OFFICES IN THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION OF THE SAVANNAH BAR
Jacob Massee has been elected the President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Savannah Bar Association. His term starts in June and he will serve for the 2011-2012 year. Also, three other Oliver Maner associates were elected to the YLD Executive Committee. Nick Bruce will serve as Treasurer, Blake Greco will serve as Secretary, and Heather Hammonds will serve as Logistics Coordinator.
PAT O'CONNOR, DOUG HERMAN AND BEN PERKINS OBTAIN FAVORABLE COURT OF APPEALS RULING
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed a Chatham County Superior Court ruling, resulting in a complete summary judgment victory for Oliver Maner client Benjamin Eichholz in Freeman v. Eichholz, 2011 Ga. App. LEXIS 107 (Ga.Ct. App. Feb. 17, 2011). The Court held that the Plaintiff could not prove that Mr. Eichholz committed legal malpractice as a matter of law. Patrick T. O'Connor, Douglas E. Herman and Benjamin M. Perkins represented the prevailing party.
SIX OLIVER MANER LAWYERS HONORED AS GEORGIA SUPERLAWYERS FOR 2011
Oliver Maner LLP congratulates its 2011 Georgia SuperLawyers as listed in Atlanta Magazine. Bill Franklin, David Dickey, Greg Hodges, Pat O'Connor, Chris Ray and Julian Friedman have all been so honored. Inclusion in this list is a product of a rigorous peer review process and is reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the State of Georgia.
FIVE OLIVER MANER LAWYERS SELECTED AS GEORGIA RISING STARS FOR 2011
Oliver Maner LLP is pleased to announce that five of its lawyers have been named as Georgia Rising Stars for 2011 in Atlanta Magazine. Lee Summerford, Drew Wilkes, Bill Hunter, Ben Perkins and Jacob Massee were honored this year. The Rising Stars program seeks to identify the top 2.5% of up-and-coming lawyers in Georgia who are under the age of 40 and who have been in practice less than 10 years.
PAT O'CONNOR AND BEN PERKINS OBTAIN DEFENSE VERDICT
After a three day trial, an Effingham County jury rendered a defense verdict in favor of Oliver Maner client Effingham County. The plaintiff claimed to have been injured in a collision with an Effingham County ambulance and asked the jury to award her $950,000.00 in damages.
PAT O'CONNOR APPOINTED TO JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION OF GEORGIA
Pat O'Connor has been appointed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal to a term on the Judicial Nominating Commission of Georgia.
PAT O'CONNOR AND BEN PERKINS OBTAIN FAVORABLE COURT OF APPEALS RULING
The Georgia Court of Appeals reversed an Effingham County State Court ruling, resulting in a complete summary judgment victory for Oliver Maner clients Effingham County, Georgia and County Commissioner Myra Lewis in Rhodes v Effingham County et al., 2010 WL 5300839, Appeal No. A10A1839 (Ga. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2010). The Plaintiff claimed that the County and Commissioner Lewis were negligent for failing to maintain and repair a roadway and were negligent for failing to warn of a known hazard. Patrick T. O'Connor and Benjamin M. Perkins represented the prevailing parties.
PAT O'CONNOR INSTALLED AS PRESIDENT OF THE COASTAL EMPIRE COUNCIL, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Pat O'Connor was installed as the new President of the Coastal Empire Council, Boy Scouts of America at its annual business meeting held on December 9, 2010. The Coastal Empire covers the 11 county area around and including Chatham and is made up of more than 8,000 youth and 1,500 volunteers.
DAVID H. DICKEY BECOMES CHARTER MEMBER OF ELDER CARE MATTERS ALLIANCE
David H. Dickey has become a Charter Member of the Elder Care Matters Alliance, an organization devoted to assisting the elderly with, among other things, their wills, trusts, and other estate planning needs.
BILL FRANKLIN NAMED SAVANNAH BEST LAWYERS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAWYER OF THE YEAR FOR 2011
Best Lawyers, the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession, has named William P. Franklin, Jr. as the "Savannah Best Lawyers Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year" for 2011. The lawyers being honored have received particularly high ratings in the Best Lawyer surveys by earning a high level of respect among their peers for their abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
PAT O'CONNOR AND TIM ROBERTS OBTAIN SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN CLASS ACTION LEGAL MALPRACTICE CASE
The State Court of Chatham County granted summary judgment for Oliver Maner's clients John E. King and John E. King Associates, LLC in Toler v. Arrowhead Clinic, Inc., et al. The case was filed as a class action. However, Oliver Maner successfully appealed the trial court's certification of the case as class action. Recently, Oliver Maner obtained summary judgment for all of the claims asserted by the individual defendants.
DOUG HERMAN RETAINED AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR THE SAVANNAH AREA BOARD OF REALTORS
Douglas E. Herman, a partner in the firm's litigation, real estate and financial services departments, has been retained by the Savannah Area Board of Realtors to serve as its General Counsel. Doug will be responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to the Association's Board and its members, as well as advising the Association on business and personnel matters. Doug will also participate in Board meetings and will represent the Association in any legal proceedings. Doug's practice at Oliver Maner LLP includes the defense of real estate professionals in errors & omissions claims and in administrative hearings. One of Doug's prior law firms also served as General Counsel to the Pennsylvania Board of Realtors and several other local boards of realtors.
BLAKE GRECO NAMED TO THE BOARD OF THE FIRST TEE OF SAVANNAH
Blake L. Greco has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the First Tee of Savannah, an organization dedicated to providing young people of all backgrounds an opportunity to develop, through golf and character education, life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.
OLIVER MANER RECEIVES TOP RANKING FROM U.S. NEWS MEDIA GROUP AND BEST LAWYERS
Oliver Maner LLP has received Top Tier Rankings for the Savannah Metropolitan area in the following practice areas: Alternative Dispute Resolution, General Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Municipal Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Tax Law and Trusts & Estate Law.
Achieving a high ranking is a special distinction for Oliver Maner that signals a unique combination of excellence and breath of expertise.
NINE OLIVER MANER LAWYERS HONORED AS BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA FOR 2011
The firm congratulates Bill Franklin, David Dickey, Greg Hodges, Bob Schivera, Pat O'Connor, Tim Roberts, Lee Summerford, Chris Ray and Julian Friedman on being selected by their peers as Best Lawyers in America for 2011. Lawyers are selected for inclusion based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey. Best Lawyers is based on 3.1 million evaluations by only the top attorneys in the country and thousands of extensive telephone interviews with leading attorneys.
GREG HODGES, BILL HUNTER, AND GEORGE MAJOR SECURE FAVORABLE COURT OF APPEALS RULING
The Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed a Glynn County Superior Court ruling which dismissed medical malpractice claims against a southeast Georgia physician. The Plaintiffs' claims for medical malpractice were dismissed by the trial court after a successful argument that the affidavit submitted by Plaintiffs in support of their claims was insufficient under Georgia law. Plaintiffs amended their Complaint to allege intentional torts against the defendant physician, but these claims were also defeated at the trial court level. The result is a complete dismissal of all claims. I. Gregory Hodges, William J. Hunter, and George T. Major, Jr. represented the prevailing physician.
PAT O'CONNOR AND BEN PERKINS OBTAIN FAVORABLE COURT OF APPEALS RULING
The Georgia Court of Appeals partially affirmed and partially reversed a Chatham County Superior Court ruling which means a complete summary judgment victory for Oliver Maner clients Louise Swan, Forest River, LLC, Swan Construction, Inc., and Montgomery Station Owners Association, Inc. in Pollman v. Swan, 2010 Ga. App. LEXIS 659 (Ga. Ct. App. July 8, 2010). The Plaintiffs claimed breach of contract, negligence, fraud, RICO, and punitive damages. Patrick T. O'Connor and Ben Perkins represented the prevailing parties.
BEN PERKINS NAMED TO COURT REPORTING BOARD
Benjamin M. Perkins has been appointed to the Board of Court Reporting of the Judicial Council of Georgia. The Board regulates all court reporters and court reporting companies in Georgia. The Board of Court Reporting is comprised of five certified court reporters, two attorney representatives from the State Bar of Georgia, and two representatives from the judiciary.
DREW WILKES AND GEORGE MAJOR PUBLISH RETROSPECTIVE ARTICLE ON TORT REFORM
The Georgia Defense Lawyer’s Association recently published within its 2010 Journal a survey article prepared by Drew Wilkes and George Major entitled “The Evolution of Georgia’s Tort Reform Legislation: Five Years After SB3.”
PAT O'CONNOR AND JACOB MASSEE GET BACK-TO-BACK FAVORABLE RESULTS FOR GOVERNMENT CLIENTS
In the last ten days, Pat O'Connor and Jacob Massee obtained summary judgment and dismissal in two separate municipal liability cases involving clients of the firm. The successful litigants included former and current police officers of the Cities of Savannah and Garden City. Congratulations to Pat and Jacob for their achievements on behalf of these clients.
BEN PERKINS AND PAT O'CONNOR SECURE AN IMPORTANT VICTORY FOR TYBEE ISLAND
Ben Perkins and Pat O’Connor obtained summary judgment for the City of Tybee Island, Georgia in Brown v. City of Tybee Island, 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 27660 (S.D. Ga. Mar. 24, 2010). The Plaintiffs alleged entitlement to damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, premised on claimed violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. Judge William T. Moore, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia, decided the case in favor of Tybee Island. Congratulations to Pat O'Connor and Ben Perkins for achieving this exceptional result on behalf of the firm's client.
BEN PERKINS TO ASSUME ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE LOCAL BAR
Ben Perkins has been named a member of the Savannah Bar Association History and Archives Committee, and was appointed to serve on the Board of Directors for the Chatham County Domestic Relations Initiative.
7 OLIVER MANER LAWYERS HONORED AS GEORGIA SUPERLAWYERS FOR 2010
Oliver Maner LLP is proud to announce that seven of its lawyers have been named as Georgia SuperLawyers for 2010 in Atlanta Magazine. Bill Franklin, David Dickey, Greg Hodges, Bob Schivera, Pat O'Connor, Chris Ray and Julian Friedman have all been so honored. Inclusion in this list is the product of a rigorous peer review process and is reserved for the top 5% of lawyers in the State of Georgia.
7 OLIVER MANER LAWYERS SELECTED AS GEORGIA RISING STARS FOR 2010
Oliver Maner LLP is pleased to announce that seven of its lawyers have been named as Georgia Rising Stars in Atlanta Magazine. The Rising Stars program seeks to identify up-and-coming lawyers in Georgia. The list is limited to the top 2.5% of lawyers in Georgia who are under the age of 40 or who have been in practice less than 10 years. Lee Summerford, Doug Giorgio, Drew Wilkes, Bill Hunter, Doug Herman, Connell Youmans and Ben Perkins were all selected for inclusion this year.
DAVID DICKEY AND PAT O'CONNOR NAMED TO LEGAL ELITE
Oliver Maner LLP is proud to announce that two if its partners have been selected for inclusion in Georgia Trend's Magazine Legal Elite. Of the more than 34,000 lawyers licensed to practice in Georgia, Mr. O'Connor and Mr. Dickey were among the select few chosen by their peers statewide for this prestigious honor.
DREW WILKES TO HELM EXPLORER POST FOR THE LOCAL BOY SCOUTS COUNCIL
Drew Wilkes will direct the Law and Government Explorer Post for 2009-10. This program is affiliated with the Coastal Empire Council-Boy Scouts of America and will include 10 to 12 students from local high-schools who have expressed an interest in pursuing careers in Law or Government. The students will participate in various meetings and field trips that will allow them to observe various aspects of law and government in our community.
GREG HODGES AND BILL HUNTER SECURE $1.7 MILLION VERDICT
Greg Hodges and Bill Hunter recently obtained an approximate $1.7 Million verdict on behalf of their client after a 3 day jury trial in the Superior Court of Bulloch County. The case involved a collision between a van, driven by the Plaintiff, and a Horizon Tanklines tractor trailer. Mr. Hodges and Mr. Hunter rejected a settlement offer of $350,000 made by Defendant prior to trial. The verdict was reduced 20 percent for the Plaintiff's contributory negligence because the Plaintiff was speeding immediately prior to the collision.
DOUG HERMAN TO HELM SAVANNAH BAR'S EDUCATION AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
Douglas E. Herman has been appointed to serve as the Chair of the Savannah Bar Association’s Education and Programming Committee. This newly formed committee will be responsible for providing more practice-specific information to the Association’s membership and for educational and social events throughout the year.
DOUG HERMAN AND BEN PERKINS SELECTED FOR LEADERSHIP SAVANNAH PROGRAM
Douglas E. Herman and Benjamin M. Perkins have been selected to participate in the Leadership Savannah Program for 2009-2010. This year-long program is sponsored by the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and is designed to develop effective community leaders who will work to strengthen the Savannah region. The program has a very competitive admission process, and only 42 participants are selected to participate. The program draws participants from an array of professional backgrounds.
NINE OLIVER MANER ATTORNEYS NAMED BEST LAWYERS IN AMERICA
The firm is proud to announce that nine of its lawyers have been selected for inclusion in the 2010 Edition of Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication in the legal profession. Best Lawyers compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Bill Franklin, David Dickey, Greg Hodges, Bob Schivera, Pat O'Connor, Tim Roberts, Lee Summerford, Chris Ray and Julian Friedman have all been honored this year.
BEN PERKINS CONTINUES HIS LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION OF THE STATE BAR
At the annual meeting of the State Bar of Georgia, Benjamin M. Perkins was re-elected to the post of Representative of the Southern District for the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division. Ben was also appointed to a second term on the Board of Directors of the State Bar of Georgia’s Young Lawyers Division.
SAVANNAH BAR HONORS PAT O'CONNOR
The Savannah Bar Association recently conferred its highest honor upon our Managing Partner Patrick T. O'Connor. At a ceremony on June 11, 2009, the Savannah Bar presented Mr. O'Connor with the Judge Frank Cheatham Award for Professionalism.
PAST THREE MONTHS BRING IMPRESSIVE VICTORIES FOR OLIVER MANER LLP'S CLIENTS
In the last 90 days, Oliver Maner LLP obtained summary judgment or outright dismissals in eight separate cases involving clients of the firm. The successful litigants included the Cities of Savannah, Rincon, Statesboro and Sylvania as well as the Blue Bird Bus Corporation, a government official and a private practice attorney. Congratulations to Pat O'Connor, Patty Paul, Tim Roberts, Connell Youmans, Ben Perkins and Jacob Massee for achieving these exceptional results on behalf of the firm's clients.
PAT O'CONNOR SECURES $4,000,000 JUDGMENT FOR WRONGFUL DEATH OF GEORGIA SOUTHERN PROFESSOR
Judge Hermann W. Coolidge, Jr. of the State Court of Chatham County recently entered a judgment in the amount of $4,000,000 in favor of Oliver Maner LLP's clients, the family and estate of the late David Starnes, Jr. Mr. Starnes lost his life in a motor vehicle collision when a car driven by the defendant struck his car on I-16 in Chatham County.
BEN PERKINS SERVES AS PRESIDENT-ELECT OF THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION OF THE SAVANNAH BAR
Benjamin M. Perkins, a senior litigation associate at Oliver Maner LLP, is the current President-Elect of the YLD of the Savannah Bar Association. Mr. Perkins will assume the office of President next month.
DOUG HERMAN TO ADVISE YOUNG REPUBLICANS
Douglas E. Herman has been retained by the Savannah Area Young Republicans, Inc. to serve as its General Counsel. Mr. Herman will provide legal advice and counsel to the organization’s Executive Committee and assist the organization in complying with local, federal and state regulations
3 OLIVER MANER PARTNERS NAMED TO LIST OF TOP 100 LAWYERS IN GEORGIA
The firm congratulates Bill Franklin, Greg Hodges and Pat O'Connor for their inclusion in the Georgia Super Lawyers List of Top 100 lawyers in the state. The selections for Super Lawyers top 100 are made by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine.
11 OLIVER MANER ATTORNEYS HONORED IN THE 2009 SUPER LAWYERS PROGRAM
Bill Franklin, David Dickey, Julian Friedman, Greg Hodges and Pat O'Connor have all been named as Georgia Super Lawyers for 2009. The selections for Super Lawyers are made by Law & Politics and Atlanta Magazine. Super Lawyers represent the top five percent of Georgia attorneys in more than 70 practice areas.
Lee Summerford, Chris Ray, Doug Giorgio, Drew Wilkes, Ali Kennickell and Ben Perkins have all been named Georgia Rising Stars for 2009. Georgia Rising Stars represent only 2.5 percent of Georgia’s attorneys. The selection process includes peer nomination by Georgia Super Lawyers and independent research by Law & Politics.
