Drew Eckl & Farnham is proud to announce that Partner Elissa Haynes was recently named as an honoree of The Daily Report's 2021 Georgia Legal Awards. Elissa, who has also been named a Georgia Super Lawyers Rising Star for the past 3 years, is included in this year's Georgia Legal Awards 'On The Rise' program. The Daily Report’s On The Rise program, "recognizes Georgia’s most promising lawyers under the age of 40. To qualify, the lawyers must work in Georgia. They should be innovators, developing unique practice niches, amassing robust books of business, demonstrating strong leadership qualities, showing expertise in litigation or transactional work, and committing themselves to pro ... Continue Reading
Partner Elissa Haynes Featured in Law360 Article on 2021 Georgia Appellate Rulings
Drew Eckl & Farnham Partner Elissa Haynes was recently featured in a Law360 article, Georgia's Biggest Appellate Rulings of 2021 So Far. Haynes, who is the Chair of the firm's Appellate Practice Group, shared insights on how these rulings have potential to impact future cases. "Georgia attorneys' reactions to the new rule seem to be mixed, though most agree litigants should not be allowed to sit quietly through closing arguments and then object for the first time on appeal, said Elissa Haynes, an appellate attorney and partner at Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP. 'It gives clarity,' she said. 'I think it's going to result in more people being careful about writing motions in limine, ... Continue Reading
Article by Karen Karabinos Featured in Spring 2021 DRI In-House Defense Quarterly
An article written by Partner Karen Karabinos was featured in the Spring 2021 edition for DRI's In-House Defense Quarterly publication. The article, Landscape of COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Claims and Litigations: The Past, Present, and Future, highlights the issue of insurance coverage for business interruption losses related to COVID-19. See below to read the complete article. ... Continue Reading
National Law Journal Names Drew Eckl & Farnham Amongst Top 500 Largest Law Firms in US
The National Law Journal released their 2021 survey on the nation's largest law firms by headcount. Drew Eckl & Farnham ranked #348. For the first time since the 2008 financial crisis, law firm head count slightly declined nationally in 2020 by 0.1%, with DEF remaining unchanged. To read more, click on the link below. ... Continue Reading
Partner Karen Karabinos Featured by Law360 in Article on Opposing Counsel Sanctions due to “Frivolous Motion”
The motion for remand showed "deliberate indifference to obvious facts" and had no basis in law, said one of Phoenix Insurance's attorneys, Karen Karabinos of Drew Eckl & Farnham LLP. Coffman should have known his motion to remand had no merit, Karabinos said. "It was just absurd," Karabinos said of the motion. "It was just objectively frivolous."Law360, Ga. Judge Says Sanctions Likely Over Frivolous Motion Drew Eckl & Farnham Partner Karen Karabinos was recently featured by Law360 in a recent article "Ga. Judge Says Sanctions Likely Over Frivolous Motion." Karabinos represented The Phoenix Insurance Co. as they were being sued for conversion and negligence, accused of missing ... Continue Reading
Partner Karen Karabinos Featured by the DRI In-House Defense Quarterly
In the cases in which a court has found in favor of policyholders, the courts have held "direct physical loss" means "the act of losing possession" and "deprivation." Courts applying these definitions would find coverage in scenarios—even where an insured's operation is able to continue albeit at a reduced volume or capacity.In-House Defense Quarterly, The Past, Current, and Future: Landscape of COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Claims and Litigation Drew Eckl & Farnham Partner Karen Karabinos was recently featured in the DRI In-House Quarterly with her article "Landscape of COVID-19-Related Business Interruption Claims and Litigation. Karabinos spoke on the changing environment ... Continue Reading
Partner Elissa Haynes Featured by The Daily Report in Article on Appellate Law
"Your adrenaline's running, you're in the trial zone and you don't necessarily think before you speak, and you say the wrong thing," said appellate attorney Elissa Haynes in Atlanta. "That wrong thing is oftentimes what a juror latches on to, and it results in these outrageous verdicts."Daily Report, Trend: Defense Adding Appellate Lawyers at Trial to Fight Plaintiffs' 'Emotional' Closings Drew Eckl & Farnham Partner, Elissa Haynes, was recently featured by The Daily Report in their recent article "Trend: Defense Adding Appellate Lawyers at Trial to Fight Plaintiffs' 'Emotional' Closings. Haynes, chairwoman of DEF's Appellate practice group, spoke to the impact of emotional closing ... Continue Reading
Partner Melody Kiella Featured by DRI for Article on Litigation Funding
"While litigation funding may allow greater access to “justice,” it is clear that litigation funding is rife with potential ethical issues and dilemmas, including the potential for inappropriate relationships between lawyers and funding companies, third-party control over litigation, and possible interference with the attorney–client privilege. Id."Melody Kiella Partner Melody Kiella's article, "The 'Party' You Didn't Realize Was Exercising Control over Your Litigation and What You Can Do About It," was selected for inclusion in DRI's In Transit Newsletter, Volume 24 Issue 1. Read the full article below. ... Continue Reading
Did you Know: Understanding the Department of Labor Withdrawal of FLSA Independent Contractor Rule
In response to the Department of Labor's announcement regarding an amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, attorney Meredith Riggs Guerrero has published an essay to help employers and independent contractors better understand these changes. Read her full article below. Department of Labor Withdraws FLSA Independent Contractor Rule On May 5, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it will formally withdraw the Independent Contractor Rule that it just put into effect just a few months ago, on March 8, 2021 in an effort to provide a formalized definition for independent contractor for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Why ... Continue Reading
COVID-19 in the Workplace: Requiring Vaccinations and Making Exceptions
With COVID-19 vaccines now being made available for all adults, many employers are considering requiring employees to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 before returning to the workplace. Can employers require their employees get vaccinated? When must employers make exceptions and accommodations for employees who have reasons NOT to receive the vaccine? Do employees need proof to be excused from receiving the vaccine? Attorney Meredith Riggs Guerrero has written a guide to understanding COVID-19 vaccination requirements and exceptions in the workplace. Check it out below. ... Continue Reading