MSP Partner Chris Jackson recently settled a personal injury case for $125,000 on behalf of a local driver. Chris’s client’s vehicle was struck on the driver’s side door when the at-fault driver failed to yield while turning onto Turner McCall Boulevard. The client sustained cracked ribs and a broken finger, but has thankfully made a full recovery.
MSP and Partner Virginia Harman were honored to host a reception on November 17, 2021 for Mark Ponter one of the Directors The African Wildlife Foundation. In his “Sikeleli Talk” Mark spoke eloquently and passionately about efforts to preserve iconic species such as the rhino which are being targeted for their horns by poachers throughout Africa. The horn is sold in Asian markets as an aphrodisiac despite being nothing more than keratin, the same thing your finger nails are made of. These same Asian markets pose a threat to fresh water turtles and black bears here in the Southeast. The International Anti-Poaching Foundation’s all woman ranger squad known as the Askashinga, shown in the photo, have been uniquely successful and Mark explained that the all-female units have been used as a model around Africa to fight poaching.
The firm brought home 17 awards from Best of Rome 2021! We are thankful for all of you that voted and have continued to support us through the years. Our well rounded, award winning team is grateful for the opportunity to continue to assist you with all of your legal needs! Congratulations to all of the Best of Rome 2021 winners!
Mike McRae and Rob Monroe recently earned a significant victory in the Georgia Court of Appeals, on behalf of the Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority and its individual members. Mike and Rob had previously been successful in having the lawsuit dismissed by the Superior Court of Fayette County. The other party appealed, and the Court of Appeals ruled in Mike and Rob’s favor and upheld the dismissal. The case involved complex questions of local government law, including constitutional and Open Meetings Act issues. The Court of Appeals found that a 2018 act of local legislation reconstituting the Authority was properly enacted, and further that the Authority complied with the Open Meetings Act in conducting its meetings.
Congratulations to Mike and Rob on this result!
Reference: Dufresne v. City of Peachtree City, Peachtree City Water and Sewerage Authority, Case No. A21A0739, issued October 20, 2021.
MSP is proud to announce that Ashley Garner, wife of partner Andy Garner, was recognized as Sustainer of the Year at the Junior Service League of Rome’s annual May Dinner for her years of dedicated service to our community. Ashley is a past president of JSL and is the executive director of the Community Foundation for Greater Rome. Ashley is pictured (L) with the 2020 Sustainer of the Year, Jennifer Bagby (R), sister-in-law of partner Scott Smith. The entire MSP family remains committed to serving the Rome and northwest Georgia community.
Lee Niedrach recently settled a lawsuit for $500,000 on behalf of a pedestrian who was hit in the roadway and severely injured. The insurance company initially refused to pay anything. Lee was forced to file a lawsuit and finally secured this policy-limits settlement for his client.
Lee also settled a car wreck case for $112,000. The client spent several days in the hospital but made a full recovery.
The Firm is pleased to announce that Partner Jule Peek has become a Certified Mediator. Jule has more than three decades of experience in litigation and negotiations. He has been in hundreds of mediations as an advocate part one of the parties. To gain certification as a mediator, Jule met a strict set of ethics criteria and training requirements. Jule will continue to maintain a full caseload with the addition of this new practice area.
