The reptile theory, attributed to David Ball and Don Kennan, who co-authored Reptile: The 2009 Manual of the Plaintiff's Revolution (Balloon Press, 2009), is no longer used just in personal injury or products liability cases. Insureds' attorneys are increasingly utilizing the theory in first-party property case The reptile theory, attributed to David Ball and Don Kennan, who co-authored Reptile: The 2009 Manual of the Plaintiff’s Revolution (Balloon Press, 2009), is no longer used just in personal injury or products liability cases. Insureds’ attorneys are increasingly utilizing the theory in first-party property cases, especially cases involving arson and claims of bad faith. As a ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl & Farnham is excited to welcome attorneys: Raffaela Wilson, Patrick Leed, Linda Yu, and Belle-Anne Bowen
Welcome DEF attorneys! Raffaela Wilson Raffaela Wilson focuses her practice in workers' compensation defense, representing employers and insurance carriers. She has extensive trial experience and has tried numerous cases. Ms. Wilson's goal is to provide counsel that identifies the particular interest of each client. In order to provide the best representation, she believes in tracking legal trends that may impact her client so that she can create proactive legal plans. Patrick Leef Patrick Leed has handled complex cases at all levels of litigation and takes a creative approach to resolving complex disputes both in and out of court. He has significant experience acting as sole ... Continue Reading
ELDs could lead to ‘reptile’ tactics in the courtroom: Part 1
Some attorneys who defend drivers and carriers fear that electronic logging devices (ELDs) could make it easier for plaintiff lawyers to utilize powerful 'reptile' tactics to win over juries and obtain unfairly large awards. In an article written by Larry Kahaner in FleetOwner Magazine, DEF attorneys Melody Kiella and Jennifer Parrott discuss how the new ELD mandate could lead to plaintiff lawyers more frequently using the "reptile tactic.” You can read more about this by clicking the link below. Read the full article ... Continue Reading
A Training Guide for the “#metoo” Revolution: Ending Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The #MeToo movement has brought to light the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace.The #MeToo movement has brought to light the prevalence of sexual harassment in the workplace. We know that training your employees and management on the proper conduct is a top priority and we are here to help. Joe Chancey and Dan Kniffen, employment attorneys with over 30 years’ experience, are offering a training program which will be customized with your specific company policies and procedures. If you are interested in “A Training Guide for the “#metoo” Revolution: Ending Sexual Harassment in the Workplace,” please contact us at ... Continue Reading
Robert L. Welch Named by Merrill Lynch as Preferred Georgia Trusts and Estates Attorney
Rob Welch, head of the Drew, Eckl & Farnham corporate transactions group, has been named by Merrill Lynch as one of the three Georgia trusts and estates attorneys which it recommends to its clients for their estate planning needs. For more than 10 years, Rob Welch has focused his practice primarily in the corporate area, providing general counsel services to many small and medium-sized companies, both for profit and non-profit. Mr. Welch works closely with business owners and managers in addressing their day-to-day legal challenges, handling business entity formation, contract review and negotiation, regulatory compliance, real estate matters, financial transactions, corporate ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl replaces rotating leader plan, boosts Managing Partner role
Joe Chancey was featured in the February 1 Daily Report. The article discusses the changes to our firm’s leadership structure. Managing partners often have to balance running their firms with practicing law, but Drew Eckl & Farnham has shifted the balance heavily toward running the firm. Joe Chancey, who took over as managing partner at the beginning of the year, said that for the past 15 years the firm had an ”intensely democratic” method of rotating its chairman’s position among members of the board of directors every two or four years. Read the full article ... Continue Reading
Abominable Snowball: Damages in Injury Cases Related to Opioid Use
Randy Moody presented "Abominable Snowball: Damages in Injury Cases Related to Opioid Use" which covered information on the damages related to opioid drugs in bodily injury cases at the 2018 Winter Conference presented by The Harmonie Group and Canadian Litigation Counsel. For more information on The Harmonie Group, click here. ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl & Farnham Ranked as One of Atlanta’s Fastest Growing Law Firms for a Second Year
Drew Eckl & Farnham continues to be recognized by Atlanta Business Chronicle for its success as an Atlanta law firm. We are excited to announce that DEF was ranked as the 6th “Fastest-Growing Law Firm by Attorneys” in the 2018 Atlanta Business Chronicle Book of Lists. This list is determined by a three-year percent change in number of Atlanta attorneys. Additionally, DEF is ranked as No. 14 on the list of Atlanta's Top 25 Law Firms in 2018, up from No. 16 in 2017. Click below to see the full list published in the January 19, 2018 print edition of the Atlanta Business Chronicle. View full list ... Continue Reading
In Memoriam of Charles Lane Drew
It is with heavy hearts that we report that Charles Lane Drew ("Charlie"), 86, the founding name partner of Drew, Eckl & Farnham, passed away on January 6, 2018. Charles Lane Drew (“Charlie”), 86, the founding name partner of Drew, Eckl & Farnham, passed away on January 6, 2018. Mr. Drew was revered for his unyielding professionalism, extraordinary advocacy skills, and above all, as a Southern gentleman whose integrity was beyond reproach. As a major long-term participant in our adversarial litigation system, Mr. Drew remained universally respected and admired on both sides of the bench and bar because of his character and charm. Mr. Drew lead the way in the practice of ... Continue Reading