Host Christy Walsh discusses how the 2020 summer associate program went with DEF's six summer associates: Alexander Essex, Kevin Kelly, Tatiana Mosbey, Joi Siler, Tyrra Walker, and Christopher Wood. The legal industry struggled with summer programs due to COVID-19, but Drew Eckl & Farnham decided to move forward with a six week, remote program for our summer associates. Listen Now Do you have a topic you’d like to hear about? Click the link below and fill out the form to let us know. Topic Suggestions ... Continue Reading
IADC Features an Article by Karen Karabinos and Eric Mull
Partners Karen Karabinos and Eric Mull were featured the August edition of the IADC Committee Newsletter. Karen and Eric provide guidance on how insurance company can prepare and possibly avoid bad faith claims being filed against them in COVID-19 related first party property lawsuits. ... Continue Reading
LISTEN NOW: Drew Eckl & Farnham Launches a Podcast
LISTEN NOW: We're excited to announce that Drew Eckl & Farnham has launched a podcast: DEFining the Law! Every other Wednesday, we’ll bring you hot topics and updates on all aspects of the legal industry. Listen to our first episode now: COVID-19 and First Party Property Claims with Partner Karen Karabinos through the link below. Listen Now Do you have a topic you’d like to hear about? Click the link below and fill out the form to let us know. Topic Suggestions ... Continue Reading
District of Columbia Court Finds no “Direct Physical Loss” Arising out of D.C. Mayor’s Orders
On August 6, 2020, Associate Judge Kelly A. Higashi of the District of Columbia Circuit rejected efforts by Plaintiffs, owners and operators of prominent restaurants in the D.C. area, to recover business income losses from their insurance carrier Erie Insurance Exchange after the mayor declared a state of emergency and a public health emergency. In various orders, the mayor prohibited table seating at restaurants and bars, then prohibited standing customers at restaurants, bars and ultimately closed all non-essential businesses. Erie denied their claims, prompting Plaintiffs to file a declaratory judgment action requesting the D.C. Court to hold that their losses were covered by the policies ... Continue Reading
UPDATE: GOVERNOR KEMP SIGNS GEORGIA COVID-19 PANDEMIC BUSINESS SAFETY ACT
Late on August 5, 2020, Governor Kemp signed the Georgia COVID-19 Pandemic Business Safety Act (“GCPBSA”). As discussed in our July 7, 2020 article, the GCPBSA affords businesses in Georgia with liability protection against claims related to the contraction of COVID-19 that accrue before July 14, 2021. Importantly, the GCPBSA creates a rebuttable presumption of assumption of the risk except in cases of gross negligence, willful and wanton misconduct, reckless infliction of harm, or intentional infliction of harm. Generally, assumption of the risk is a defense to liability that applies when a claimant has actual knowledge of the danger, understood and appreciated the risk ... Continue Reading
DEF Spotlight: 2020 Summer Associate Tatiana Mosbey
Tatiana Mosbey Law School: University of Georgia Undergrad: Jacksonville State University Field(s) of Interest: Currently unknown, but I am looking forward to exploring all of the practice groups at DEF this summer! Is there anyone who influenced you to become a lawyer? My initial influence was my mom. I was interested in the law early on. My mom always wanted me to pursue a career I was interested in and she encouraged me by introducing me to different kinds of lawyers and taking me to law school prep events. Later in life I was strongly influenced by two faculty mentors in undergrad. One was an attorney and the other pursued a PhD, but they both gave me ... Continue Reading
Decision Vision Episode 75: Should I Form a Benefit Corporation? – An Interview with Juliana Neelbauer
Attorney Julianna Neelbauer participated in Decision Vision Episode 75: Should I Form a Benefit Corporation?, a podcast with Brady Ware where she discussed GA's HB 230, which creates the Benefit-corporation business entity form in the state of Georgia. Juliana addresses questions and topics surrounding benefits of corporations, B Corps, reasons to form one and the legal obligations of doing so. Listen to the Podcast here ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl & Farnham sponsor Association of Corporate Counsel – Sister to Sister Webcast
Drew Eckl & Farnham sponsored the first of a four part webinar series titled “Sister to Sister: Each One Teach One” with the Association of Corporate Counsel. The webinar was a huge success and had a great turnout! ... Continue Reading
DEF Spotlight: 2020 Summer Associate Christopher Wood
Christopher Wood Law School: Mercer University School of Law Under Grad: Georgia Tech Fields of Interest: Corporate, Data Privacy, and Workers' Compensation Is there anyone who influenced you to become a lawyer? My family, specifically my wife Shannon, has been very influential from the idea stage on. They have always encouraged me that I would be a good fit for, and be able to excel in, the legal profession. What are some activities you do when you are not studying or working? I am married with a soon to be two year old girl and I try to spend as much time with them as possible. As for specifics I enjoy books, movies, and restoring a 1972 pickup truck that we ... Continue Reading
DEF Spotlight: 2020 Summer Associate Alexander Essex
Alexander Essex Law School: Georgia State University Undergrad: University of Georgia Field(s) of Interest: Workers Compensation, First Party Insurance, Corporate Law, and Commercial Law Is there anyone who influenced you to become a lawyer? There hasn’t been one specific individual who’s especially influenced my decision to become a lawyer, but I have had enormous support from many people along the way. I’ve appreciated encouragement from former teachers, professors, coaches, and my family in pursuit of my legal career. What are some activities you do when you are not studying or working? In my free time I enjoy golfing, fishing, and taking my motorcycle to open ... Continue Reading