NEWS AND RECENT CASES
Can a small firm produce both large-firm quality legal work and economy for its clients?
If you ask us, the number and diversity of our clients, and our recent cases, amply demonstrate that our philosophy, organization and methods of practice are succeeding.
RWDM lawyers have substantial trial and litigation experience in the following areas: products liability, consumer class actions, personal injury, premises liability, professional liability (accounting, architects, engineers), insurance (coverage disputes, alleged extracontractual liability, and as retained counsel for a client's insured), landlord/tenant, real estate, construction, commercial, and general civil cases.
While we take tremendous pride in the companies that have chosen RWDM for the privilege of serving as their counsel, it is not our place to identify our particular clients in this brochure, for our own purposes. However, we feel comfortable noting that we currently serve as national or regional counsel to several manufacturers, insurance companies and other entities, and that RWDM lawyers have recently litigated cases not only in our home states of Missouri and Kansas, but also in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas.
Our recent cases include the following:
Jury Trial Victory in Products Liability Case. RWDM served as national trial counsel in this Bucks County, Pennsylvania case. The plaintiff claimed exposure as a welder and with three weeks' notice, the trial team was able to prepare the defense and obtain a defense verdict after ten days of trial.
Jury Trial Victory in Products Liability Case. In this St. Paul, Minnesota case, RWDM served as national trial counsel. RWDM obtained a unanimous defense verdict based on alternative causation of plaintiff's disease.
Trial Court Victory in Negligence and Breach of Contract Action. RWDM defended an insurance agent in an action alleging negligent failure and breach of contract to procure a homeowner's insurance policy after the plaintiff's residence was destroyed by a tornado. After a four-day jury trial, RWDM procured a directed verdict on the negligence claim and a defense verdict for the agent on the breach of contract claim. RWDM successfully defended the result on plaintiff's appeal to the Kansas Court of Appeals.
Trial Court Issues Directed Verdict in Insurance Coverage Dispute. RWDM defended an insurer in an insurance coverage action brought by an automobile dealership in Jackson County, Missouri. The dealership alleged that the insurer failed to provide coverage for various claims brought against the dealership by customers and third-party financiers. After four days of plaintiff's evidence, RWDM received a directed verdict on all claims on behalf of the insurer.
Jury Trial Victory in Products Liability Case. In this Oregon case, the plaintiff claimed product exposure through employment in and around piping. RWDM was able to obtain a defense verdict. The trial team research was able to show that plaintiff did not have evidence sufficient to meet the criteria for the claimed disease.
Jury Trial Victory in Federal Court Contract Case. RWDM defended a Kansas-based business in a suit brought by an international petroleum company seeking in excess of $500,000 in damages for the alleged breach of an agreement relating to the purchase of fuel. The case was tried and submitted to the jury which returned a defense verdict.
State Court Dismissal of Plaintiffs' Product Liability Action. RWDM represented the manufacturer of a treatment planning system. Plaintiffs alleged injuries in the Nation of Panama, but filed suit in St. Louis County, Missouri. RWDM moved to dismiss the claims based on forum non conveniens. Discovery was conducted on the issue and a two-day evidentiary hearing was held. The trial court dismissed the case and the dismissal was affirmed on appeal.
Jury Trial Victory in Federal Court. RWDM represented an Iowa construction firm that was hired by a subcontractor to build a hotel in Overland Park, Kansas. The subcontractor that hired our client went out of business, owing our client over $400,000. Through aggressive factual investigation, RWDM discovered that the subcontractor that hired our client was involved in a partnership/joint venture relationship with the material supplier for the hotel project. RWDM sued the material supplier in federal court and the jury found that the material supplier was responsible to pay our client the full amount due as a result of the partnership/joint venture relationship.
Jury Trial Victory in Products Liability Case. RWDM served as national trial counsel. This San Francisco, California case was tried for three weeks during which time RWDM presented the importance of scientific quantification to the jury through preparation and research of scientific data plus expert testimony. |
