Following safety precautions in advance of Hurricane Idalia, the St. Simons Island location will be physically closed on Wednesday, August 30th and Thursday, August 31st. The safety of our staff and visitors are our top priority. We encourage all members of our community to take the necessary steps to stay safe during the storm. Please follow official communications from Glynn County for preparation and safety procedures. During this period, we extend our heartfelt thoughts to each member of our community and express our genuine hope for everyone's safety and security. ... Continue Reading
DEF Attorneys Jim Anderson and Ryan Klee will speak at the SBWC Annual Educational Conference
Drew Eckl & Farnham is proud to announce that two of our esteemed attorneys, Jim Anderson and Ryan Klee, are set to take the stage at the prestigious 2023 State Board of Workers' Compensation Annual Educational Conference. They will be speaking on Wednesday, August 30 as part of the SBWC Workers' Compensation Adjuster Training Program: Claims from Start to Finish! Jim Anderson will provide a discussion on valid panel of physicians, change in physicians and the WC-PMT process. This session will be from 8:30 am - 9:00 am. Ryan Klee will join a panel of experts on how to ethically and professionally handle unresolved disputes in workers' compensation claims. This session will be ... Continue Reading
DEF Welcomes New Attorneys Chad Capers, Christian Goerner, Bonnie Rich, and Arika Song
Drew Eckl & Farnham is excited to welcome new attorneys Chad, Christian, Bonnie, and Arika! Chad CapersJ. Chad Capers is an Associate with Drew Eckl & Farnham, practicing primarily in the areas general liability and insurance defense. Prior to joining Drew Eckl & Farnham, Chad worked at a reputable California-based law firm, primarily handling matters involving insurance coverage and complex litigation. Christian GoernerChristian Goerner is an associate in the Atlanta office where he focuses his practice on general liability and personal injury defense. Prior to joining the firm, Christian worked as a Staff Attorney for the Honorable R. Chris Phelps in the Superior ... Continue Reading
DEF Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Best Lawyers in America © and Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch ©
We are excited to announce that several of our DEF attorneys have been recognized in the 2024 Best Lawyers Individual Awards. We saw a significant increase in the attorneys from our firm that were recognized - a total of 50 attorneys were recognized this year (up from 24 last year) - and we know this achievement reflects the high standards of excellence that DEF is known for. Here are the details of the attorneys recognized in each category. Lawyer of the Year Julie Y. John Workers' Compensation - Employers 2024 Best Lawyers © Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch © We extend our congratulations to all the attorneys who ... Continue Reading
DEF proudly sponsors Speedway Children’s Charities Annual Kids Win Golf Tournament
Drew Eckl & Farnham is proud to sponsor the Kids Win Golf Tournament, an event organized by Speedway Children's Charities Atlanta chapter. The proceeds from this tournament will directly benefit children's causes across the Metro Atlanta area, as the funds raised will be distributed through grants to a diverse range of local organizations. The event will take place on September 29th, 2023 at the Crystal Lake Golf & Country Club in Hampton, Georgia. Registration begins at 8:30 am with a shotgun start at 9:30 am. Registration for individuals interested in the event is available online here. ... Continue Reading
David Rusnak joins Dispute Resolution Section board of Atlanta Bar Association
Congratulations to David Rusnak for his commitment to the Dispute Resolution Section board of the Atlanta Bar Association! David Rusnak focuses his practice on state and federal business litigation, risk management, and alternative dispute resolution. He represents local, regional and national clients in commercial, financial, real estate and construction matters. If you’d like to read more about David Rusnak, click below to read his full bio: ... Continue Reading
Drew Eckl & Farnham Elevates Cultural Enrichment as Proud Sponsor of Albany Symphony Orchestra’s 60th Anniversary Season
Drew Eckl & Farnham proudly announces its distinguished sponsorship of the Albany Symphony Orchestra's landmark 60th anniversary season. As a result of Drew Eckl & Farnham's generous support, along with other sponsors, all concerts during the upcoming 2023-24 season will be offered to the community free of charge. The 2023-24 concert season promises to be a testament to the power of music and unity. The celebration kicks off with the captivating "Shaken, Not Stirred" event at the Flint Riverquarium on Thursday, September 28, 2023, followed by the enthralling "Sounds of 007" concert on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at the Albany Municipal Auditorium. The season continues with the ... Continue Reading
DEF Named to Bloomberg Law’s Third Annual Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Framework
Drew Eckl & Farnham has been included in the prestigious Bloomberg Law Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Framework for the third consecutive year. We are one of 55 U.S.-based law firms honored for our exceptional disclosure of diversity-related metrics and outstanding performance across six core pillars: demographics, leadership and talent pipeline, recruitment and retention, business innovation and strategy, marketing, and diversity & inclusion in the community. Among the findings of the 2023 report: “DEI remains a critical factor for general counsel seeking to engage law firms that reflect their values, and we’ve brought our industry expertise and strength ... Continue Reading
DEF listed in Vault’s Top 150 under 150 law firms
In a recent survey conducted by Vault, Drew Eckl & Farnham (DEF) has been named one of the top 150 best law firms to work for in the small and midsize law firm category. This prestigious recognition highlights DEF's commitment to fostering an exceptional work environment and our dedication to the well-being and professional growth of our attorneys. Vault's selection process involved a rigorous examination by their editorial and research teams. The teams delved into various data sources, including Vault's own survey data, news stories, trade journals, and legal publications. Additionally, they engaged in direct conversations with lawyers in the field and thoroughly reviewed other ... Continue Reading
Appellate Division Rules COVID Cannot Be a Compensable Injury Without an Identifiable Physical Occurrence
In a unanimous 14 page decision issued on July 10, 2023, the Appellate Division of the State Board of Worker's Compensation held that the COVID-19 virus cannot constitute a compensable injury, as opposed to an Occupational Disease, unless it results naturally and unavoidably from an “identifiable physical occurrence,” such as a needle stick. Bonds v Atlanta Public Schools, ICMS Reference No. 21544083. Drew, Eckl & Farnham presented a brief and oral argument in the appeal on behalf of the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Association and the Group Funds Association, as Amicus Curiae. In the three years since the COVID pandemic, thousands of COVID claims have been filed under ... Continue Reading