Working Man Stan is bored! Eight hours is a long time to stand around an automobile factory. It is also a long time to look at all the fast cars sitting on the lot just waiting to be driven. A fast ride in a nice car sure would liven up the day. Co-worker, Reckless Rob, is always up for some fun. When Stan asks if he would like to take one of the new cars for a spin on the test track, Rob jumps at the chance. Stan and Rob hop in the car and make their way to the test track. Within seconds, they are flying down the track at over 100 mph. Unfortunately, Stan does not have the car-handling skills he thinks he has and soon loses control. They crash the car ... Continue Reading
From File Clerk to Chief Information Officer: A DEF Growth Story
At Drew Eckl & Farnham, we take pride in nurturing talent from within and few stories embody that more than the career journey of our Chief Information Officer, Jason Landers, who began his career at the firm as a File Clerk in 2003. A Steady Ascent Through the Ranks In August 2003, Jason joined the firm supporting attorney Steve Miller as a File Clerk. Less than a year later, in April 2004, his attention to detail and work ethic earned him a promotion to Legal Assistant, where he supported a team of associates. By 2008, he was entrusted with supporting partners which is a testament to his continued professional growth and reliability. But his curiosity and drive didn’t stop ... Continue Reading
From Records to Legal Assistant: A DEF Growth Story
At Drew Eckl & Farnham, growth often starts with opportunity and a willingness to raise your hand when it comes. Bernadette Gilbert’s journey from Records Assistant to Legal Assistant is a great example of how dedication, flexibility, and a positive attitude can open doors at DEF. Starting from the Ground FloorIn October 2016, Bernadette Gilbert began her career at DEF in the Records Department. Her early responsibilities included moving files from the firm’s old office to its current location in the Truist building, organizing paper documents, and creating new files as needed. “While I was in Records, I was also offered the chance to help at the front desk when the receptionist was ... Continue Reading
Understanding the Risks of AI in Workers’ Compensation Law
As anyone with an internet connection knows, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has arrived and it’s here to stay. With the rapid advancement computing technologies, many employers, insurers, and attorneys are exploring AI’s potential to streamline workflows and reduce costs. There is no doubt that AI offers significant benefits in the legal world—including in workers' compensation. Worker’s Compensation is known for its massive datasets, frequent use of standardized forms, constant communication, and (presumably) a relatively predictable legal trajectory. So, workers’ compensation law seems to benefit greatly from automated programs. AI appears to be a welcome gift to the overworked adjuster or ... Continue Reading
Who Can Sue? Identifying Proper Parties and Standing in Wrongful Death Cases
In every lawsuit, the concept of standing plays a crucial role. Standing refers to the legal right of an individual or entity to challenge the conduct of another party in court. In a typical personal injury lawsuit, the person bringing the suit is also the person claiming to be injured. In such cases, standing is straightforward: they claim to have been injured by another person’s conduct, and thus have the right to challenge said conduct in court. However, when the person who was injured by another person dies, standing becomes more complex. In defending a wrongful death claim, one of the preliminary focuses must be on whether the party bringing the suit has the capacity to do so. What ... Continue Reading
DEFining Moments: Neil Brunetz
Our next DEFining Moments spotlight is on Neil Brunetz, of counsel at Drew Eckl & Farnham. Brunetz specializes in all aspects of civil litigation matters under OSHA and other government agencies, including personal injury, wrongful death, workers’ compensation, construction and more. Brunetz holds bar admissions in both Georgia and Tennessee and is a member of the State Bar of Georgia, United States District Court for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Tennessee and the Northern District of Georgia. With 20 years of experience in bench and jury trials, he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in the state courts of Tennessee and Georgia, federal courts and a diverse ... Continue Reading