Anonymous Estate Case

Settlement of $1,058,000 (Randolph County Circuit Court, 2009). This firm represented an anonymous couple who were neighbors and long time friends of the deceased, and who were bequeathed the majority of her estate, as well as gifts prior to her death. Relative A and other relatives of the deceased contested the Last Will and Testament which left the majority of her estate to the anonymous couple based on undue influence and lack of testamentary capacity. We were able to prove that the Will in question was carefully prepared according to the deceased instructions, without undue influence by the anonymous couple and that the deceased had the mental capacity to decide how to arrange her affairs.

Arthur Green v. Sewer Contractors Jefferson Court

Arthur Green, as the District Attorney of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division, in 2008 brought a unique civil action under a one-hundred year old statute against various contractors who were found liable for bribing Jefferson County officials for work on the sewer system. This civil case was brought to prohibit the defendants from conducting any future business in Jefferson County.

Baptist Health Systems, Inc., et al. v. General Reinsurance Corporation, et al.

Settlement of $4,900,000 (Montgomery County Circuit Court, 2007). This case arose from the merger of the Alabama Hospital Association Trust, of which Baptist Health System was the largest participant, with a Virginia-based insurance group, Reciprocal of America. In making the decision to merge, Baptist Health System relied on representations from actuaries and Reciprocal officers that Reciprocal of America was financially sound.

Later, Baptist Health System learned that it had been provided false information. Through pretrial discovery, Plaintiffs were able to prove that the Defendants had conspired to conceal information and to create the appearance of financial stability at Reciprocal of America.

Anonymous v. Anonymous Accounting Firm

Settlement of $400,000 (Morgan County, 2005). A case of professional negligence was brought by owner of a trucking business in Priceville against accountants who were asked to conduct a forensic audit of the trucking operation. The owner was concerned that the manager of the Priceville business might be either embezzling money or distorting financial records. Accountants gave the manager a "clean bill of health" but it was later learned that the owner’s concerns were well founded.

Arthur Green as district attorney of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division v. The Lloyd Noland Foundation, Inc.

Settlement of $40 million (Circuit Court of Jefferson County, Bessemer Division, 2004). A quo warranto lawsuit was brought on behalf of the State of Alabama against The Lloyd Noland Foundation, Inc, a non-profit corporation, to force LNF to abide by the terms of their original charter which emphasized providing medical care in West Jefferson County. The case settled with LNF agreeing to spend $40 million over ten years in West Jefferson County.

Alabama Farmers Cooperative v. Bobby Davis, et al.

Verdict of $15,400,000. Jury awarded $9,600,000 in compensatory damages and $5,800,000 in punitive damages (Circuit Court of Morgan County, 2003). Dixieland Trucking, a division of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, brought this case against its former general manager and several companies with whom the manager had business dealings. Former manager admitted embezzlement, falsifying financial statements and deceiving management at Alabama Farmers Cooperative. Davis leased unneeded trucks from defendants and then hid leases from his own bosses. Defendants attempted to purchase Dixieland when deceptions were uncovered. Plaintiff brought suit under claims of fraud, intentional interference with business relations, breach of fiduciary duty, and other claims. The verdict came after a three week trial.

Wheelwright Trucking Co., Inc. v. Dorsey Trailers, Inc.

Judgement of $2,500,000 (Circuit Court of Barbour County, 2003). Plaintiff purchased a number of flat bead trailers from Dorsey Trailers. After a few years of use, cracks appeared in the frame of the trailers and Wheelwright Trucking sued to recover economic damages for lost profits and business opportunities on the theory that Dorsey had misrepresented the suitability of the trailers for hauling certain items. After plaintiff obtained judgement, various insurers for Dorsey filed declaratory judgements seeking to avoid paying judgement. After appeal to Alabama Supreme Court, 851 So2d 466 (Ala.2002), judgement was paid.

Skilstaf v. Confidential Defendant

Settlement of $640,000 (Tallapoosa County, 1998). Suit against a third party administrator for negligent handling of company’s worker’s compensation business.

Deaton v. Confidential Defendant

Settlement of $6,000,000 (Etowah County, 1997). This was a products liability/breach of contract case between two businesses - stemming from the faulty design of flatbed trailers which were supposed to be used to transport coils of steel.

Peden v. Confidential Defendants

Settlement of $420,000 (Colbert County, 1997). Approximately 20 plaintiffs were represented in a fraud case concerning the purchase of TV satellite systems. They were misled about the length of time to pay off the financing.

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