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Alaska Supreme Court issues precedent-setting decision in commercial fraud dispute
In a franchise dispute between an Alaska auto dealership and the manufacturer, JDO litigators Randy Simpson and Matt Singer recently prevailed in an appeal to the state's highest court. The court established new law as to the measure of damages in a fraud case, and remanded for the trial court to consider a punitive damages award.
Matthew Singer inducted into Litigation Counsel of America
JDO litigator Matt Singer has been invited to join the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA). The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American Lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American Bar in the 21st century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. Mr. Singer represent businesses, public entities, and individuals in trials and appeals, with particular focus on commercial disputes, environmental and natural resources cases, employment law, and tort claims.
Alaska Supreme Court upholds major consumer settlement
JDO litigators Howard Trickey, Gary Sleeper and Matt Singer obtained a favorable decision from the Alaska Supreme Court in Neese v. State of Alaska, et al. JDO represented a group of car dealerships that had entered into a consent judgment with the State of Alaska to resolve consumer claims. The agreement was unusual in Alaska history in terms of the number of consumers involved, the size of the civil penalty paid to the State of Alaska, and the scope of relief afforded to each consumer. Nonetheless, a small group of customers sought to derail the settlement so that they could file their own private class action. The Alaska Supreme Court agreed with the trial court that the private group had no standing to interfere with the settlement. This decision has precedent-setting implications for businesses that face consumer claims.
JDO lawyers obtain important ruling on State’s failure to provide adequate educational opportunities in chronically underperforming schools.
JDO represents three rural Alaskan school districts and a consortium of parents and educators in Moore et al. v. State of Alaska, a challenge to the State’s ongoing failure to provide adequate educational opportunities to students in chronically underperforming schools. Superior Court Judge Sharon Gleason ruled that the State has continued to deny students in these districts access to an adequate education, and has failed to remedy constitutional violations previously identified by the court. The court held that the State’s intervention in these districts was poorly implemented, insufficient to address the constitutional violations, and targeted an unjustifiably narrow set of problems, ignoring both known causes of poor educational performance and known educational solutions to these problems. The court ordered the State to dramatically revamp its interventions in chronically underperforming schools. For more information, please contact Howard S. Trickey or Cheryl Mandala.
Howard Trickey Inducted Into Litigation Counsel of America
On October 30, 2008, Howard S. Trickey was inducted into the Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) at the LCA’s Fall Conference and Induction of Fellows in Napa Valley, California.
The Litigation Counsel of America is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon effectiveness and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. The LCA is aggressively diverse in its composition. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership.
JDO Ranked As Alaska’s Largest Law Firm.
The Alaska Journal of Commerce’s 2009 Book of Lists recognizes JDO as Alaska’s largest law firm. The firm is proud of its steady growth over the past 30 years and its fine reputation for delivering results to businesses, public institutions, and other clients throughout Alaska.
JDO Lawyers Establish Important Alaska Supreme Court Precedent.
JDO litigators Howard S. Trickey and Matthew Singer recently obtained an important decision from the Alaska Supreme Court in Sheldon v. City of Ambler. The court established a new standard for evaluating when police officers are entitled to immunity in cases alleging excessive use of force. Prior to this case, there had been a conflict between Alaska law and federal law. JDO’s attorneys successfully argued that the Alaska Supreme Court should take this opportunity to resolve the conflict and bring Alaska in line with the federal courts. This case has important policy implications for JDO’s public clients throughout the state.
Four JDO partners named as Alaska Super Lawyers by Washington Law & Politics.
The Super Lawyers publication identifies the top 5 percent of attorneys in each state, as chosen by their peers and through the independent research of Law & Politics. Charles A. Dunnagan was named to the Super Lawyers list for his work in the areas of employment and labor law. Mr. Dunnagan’s practice has focused on these areas for more than 30 years. He serves as general counsel to a number of labor unions and employee associations. Bradley D. Owens was chosen for his work in the area of schools and education. Mr. Owens represents numerous Alaska school districts on a wide range of matters. He brings his clients particular expertise in special education issues. Howard S. Trickey was also selected in the area of employment and labor law. Mr. Trickey is one of Alaska’s most accomplished and highly respected litigators representing businesses, individuals, school districts and municipalities in complex commercial business disputes, professional malpractice claims, employment and labor disputes, and constitutional and public law claims. Diane F. Vallentine was selected for her business litigation expertise. Ms. Vallentine has a diversified civil practice focusing primarily on representing businesses in all aspects of commercial litigation, commercial transactions, and bankruptcy law. She is an accomplished litigator with 30 years of experience.
JDO lawyers obtain $1.6 million judgment on behalf of school district in professional negligence case.
JDO litigators Matt Singer and Mike Stephenson obtained the substantial judgment after a lengthy trial involving claims by a school district that its architects had produced structurally unsound and deficient construction documents.
JDO ranked #1 in Alaska for Labor & Employment Law.
JDO is proud to be recognized by the guide Best Lawyers in America for its exemplary labor and employment practice. For more than 30 years, JDO has stood at the forefront of labor and employment law in Alaska. In addition to the firm’s #1 ranking, firm partners Charles A. Dunnagan, Saul R. Friedman, Bradley D. Owens and Howard S. Trickey were also recognized individually by the Best Lawyers guide.
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