Category Archives: The View from “The Trenches”

Justice Kagan takes the cake! (…or fish)

Posted on February 25, 2015 by Mike

Although I don’t know the context, or the underlying issues in the case that led to this opinion from Justice Kagan, I’m not sure it really matters. Apparently there was some dispute about whether a statute authorized criminal sanctions for … Continue reading →

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Judicial Elections 2014…and other scary ghost stories!

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Mike

Ah, late October…Time for spooky, scary, silly antics in the hopes of getting some sweet treats.  Of course, I am talking about the election season, which blessedly, is soon coming to an end. Early voting in North Carolina begins tomorrow (Thursday … Continue reading →

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A victory for the good guys… courtesy of the NC Court of Appeals.

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Mike

In a unanimous decision, the Appeals Court agreed with our position that the North Carolina Industrial Commission was wrong when it dismissed our client’s case involving a school bus, and a young child who was killed while crossing a rural … Continue reading →

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Advice to Keep Halloween Safe-via Channel 9

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Mike

Reporter Jason Stoogenke interviewed me last week to understand better how residents can protect themselves from possible liability.

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NC Court of Appeals Proves Once Again — Being A Landowner Doesn’t Always Mean Having To Say You’re Sorry…

Posted on October 21, 2013 by Mike

In a tough case involving crippling injuries to a Charlotte worker, the North Carolina Court of Appeals just last month handed down a case that once again proves that just because someone who is injured on your property — even … Continue reading →

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Happy (Real) Independence Day! …The Second of July

Posted on July 3, 2013 by Mike

Yesterday, we sent out our firm’s annual Fourth of July e-newsletter.  We hope you’ll take the time to look at it, and even more so, take some time to read or listen to The Declaration of Independence.  Have a safe … Continue reading →

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In most civil trials, the most important word…

Posted on May 11, 2013 by Mike

…also happens to be the shortest:  “A.” Getting a jury to truly understand the critical importance of that littlest of words, and apply it accurately, is often the difference between victory and defeat.  This is especially true in a civil trial that is centered … Continue reading →

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A Call for Better Government

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Mike

(THIS IS A MESSAGE SENT 4/25/2013 TO THE STATEWIDE LISTSERVE FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE… THIS IS A POLITICAL POST, BUT DEALS WITH A GOVERNMENTAL ISSUE THAT AFFECTS THE FUTURE COMPOSITION OF THE STATE’S CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE … Continue reading →

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SCOTUS to North Carolina: “Ya Gots To Do Better Than This!”

Posted on March 28, 2013 by Mike

The Supreme Court of the United States (aka “SCOTUS” aka “The Supremes“) recently handed down a decision that will bring profound changes in the way North Carolina disburses settlement proceeds in catastrophic injury claims. Before this month’s decision, whenever a … Continue reading →

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On Political Conventions and Jury Arguments

Posted on September 9, 2012 by Mike

They came.  They saw.  They convened. This past week in Charlotte, some 50,000 politicians, celebrities, reporters , lobbyists and protesters were in town for the 2012 Democratic National Convention.  By most accounts, the Convention did both the Democrats and the … Continue reading →

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