11/1/2016: Ami Dwyer Named Vice Chair of USLAW NETWORK B.O.D.

At USLAW NETWORK’s annual meeting in Colorado Springs, the USLAW Board of Directors and Board of Directors’ Executive Committee were announced.  Franklin & Prokopik principal, Ami C. Dwyer of the firm’s Baltimore office and a member of the USLAW Executive Committee, was named Vice Chair.  Ami is very active in USLAW; she has served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for several years and is a past chair of both the Construction Law Committee and the Women’s Collection.  F&P is extremely pleased and proud that Ami has been honored with this new Vice Chair role.

USLAW is an international organization composed of nearly 100 independent, full practice firms with roots in civil litigation, including more than 6,000 attorneys covering the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. USLAW is comprised of highly rated law firms that are part of the NETWORK by invitation only. Member firms undergo a rigorous review process to insure outstanding quality of lawyers throughout the USLAW NETWORK. USLAW firms are experienced in commercial and business law, employment and labor law, litigation and other business-related areas of law. All firms have substantial trial experience. USLAW member firms provide legal representation to major corporations, insurance companies, and large and small businesses alike.

 

10/10/2016: F&P’s Andrew Stephenson Reappointed to MD Accommodations Review Committee

Last month, the Court of Appeals of Maryland reappointed F&P senior principal, Andrew Stephenson, to the Accommodations Review Committee for terms to expire in 2021.  Eight other people were reappointed, including Sandra Holmes, Esq. as Committee Chair, and Mark D. Palmer, Esq. as Vice Chair.  The Court of Appeals is the highest court in the state of Maryland and is mandated by law to hear cases involving the death penalty, legislative redistricting, removal of certain officers, and certifications of questions of law.

10/3/2016: Bert Randall Discusses DOL’s “Final Rule” at MMTA Program

F&P principal Bert Randall presented on the Department of Labor’s (DOL) New Overtime Rule at the Maryland Motor Truck Association’s (MMTA) Annual Meeting last week.  The importance of the topic spans across industries, as the DOL’s “Final Rule” on overtime will affect an estimated 4.2 million workers.  Bert’s presentation provided key information including the various changes the rule entails and the steps for employers to take proactively to determine the best course of action in response.  The effective date of the Final Rule is December 1st, 2016.

The meeting took place on September 29th at Turf Valley in Elliott City and was followed by cocktails, a Chairman’s Banquet, awards and entertainment.  Additional topics covered were electronic logging devices, time management best practices, and an update on Maryland’s business climate from Maryland’s Department of Commerce Secretary, Mike Gill.

9/19/2016: 2016 Bootcamp Series Wraps Up In Philadelphia this Week

The last chapter of the 2016 Trucking Boot Camp for the Claims Professional will take place this Wednesday, September 21, at the Villanova University Conference Center in Philadelphia, PA.  The previous Bootcamps, which started last March, took place in Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta and Orlando.  Now in its 8th year, the Trucking Boot Camp is co-hosted by F&P, Carr Allison, Dowd & Dowd, Fee Smith, Pion Nerone, Alvarez Winthrop, and Rincon Law Group.

“On the Road in 2016” covers some of the most relevant topics pertaining to the trucking and transportation industry, such as the role of truck technology and its impact on drivers, investigating night time driving accidents, prosecuting a trucking plaintiff, how to effectively and efficiently investigate and preserve evidence on low impact cases, and seeking better alternatives to litigation.  In addition, F&P Principal Andrew Stephenson leads a lively and informative mock trial and panel discussion.

The 2016 Bookcamps were sponsored by Custard Insurance Adjusters, Marshall Investigative Group, S-E-A, and US Legal Support.  We would like to thank our sponsors who help make this program possible.

For more information visit http://www.truckingbootcamp.com/

8/31/2016: F&P’s Steve Marshall Scheduled to Present at Transportation Innovation & Cost Savings Conference

F&P’s Steve Marshall will be presenting next month at the 30th Annual Conference on Transportation Innovation and Cost Savings.  The conference will be held September 26, 2016 at the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto, Canada.  Steve will speak on “When a Catastrophic Truck Accident Exceeds Insurance Coverage,” discussing the importance of excess insurance coverage in the event of catastrophic losses.

The Annual Conference on Transportation Innovation and Cost Savings is the original, largest and most prestigious one day educational and networking event for shippers and supply chain practitioners in North America. Over the past thirty years it has attracted manufacturers, carriers, intermediaries and distribution executives throughout North America to learn from each other as to the newest cutting edge innovations in logistics in the transportation community.  Attendees are updated on changing regulations in surface transport as well as freight forwarding and food safety.  The objective of the conference is to have each participant take away information which will assist them throughout the year in cost savings and connect with others to broaden their circle and influence.  Registration has grown to include many senior decision-makers within the logistics industry.  Visit http://transportconference.ca/ for additional information.

 

8/14/2016: Summer First Report – the Workers’ Comp Newsletter of F&P

F&P’s Summer First Report Now Available for Download!

The Summer 2016 edition of Franklin & Prokopik’s First Report, our workers’ compensation newsletter, is now available in PDF format.  Articles in this issue:

  • Protection Against Attorney’s Fees Prince George’s County v. Minor, 227 Md. App. 233 (2016)
  • Virginia Court of Appeals Victory
  • Vocational Rehabilitation: Recent Changes to the Virginia Guidelines
  • Prescription of Pain Medication in Delaware
  • Important Medicare Changes
  • Settlement Guidelines in Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia

Summer 2016 First Report link

7/29/2016: F&P Counsel Attorneys Co-Chair Fannie Angelos Program Gala

Franklin & Prokopik Counsel Attorneys Kiran Sharma Rosen and Imoh E. Akpan will serve as co-chairs for this year’s Fannie Angelos Program for Academic Excellence’s Annual Gala.  Now in its third year, the gala will feature a cocktail hour followed by dinner, drinks and dancing and will be held at the Belvedere Hotel on November 17.  It is anticipated that over 250 Maryland attorneys, judges, and other industry leaders will be attending this exciting celebration.

The Fannie Angelos Program is a collaboration between the UB School of Law, Maryland HBCUs and the Princeton Review. The program aims to help students score high on the LSAT, excel in law school and increase diversity in the legal profession.  It is comprised of two sub-programs: the Fanny Angelos Scholars, which elects eight juniors and seniors from Maryland historically black colleges and universities (HBCU) as Scholars, and the LSAT Award Program, which gives 80 students, including the 8 Scholars, a $1,399 LSAT award to take a 16-week Law School Admission Test (LSAT)Prep class.  To learn more about Fanny Angelos, visit http://law.ubalt.edu/admissions/diversity/baltimorescholars/index.cfm.

7/6/2016: Firm Adds New Attorneys to F&P Team in DE and VA

F&P is pleased to welcome two new counsel attorneys this summer.  Kimberly A. Harrison will be located at our Wilmington, DE office and Lindsey A. Lewis will be working in Richmond, VA.

Since 2003, Kimberly Harrison has practiced exclusively in the area of workers’ compensation defense for a firm in Wilmington, Delaware.  Kimberly joined Franklin and Prokopik last June, bringing 13 years of experience in all facets of workers’ compensation matters, including oral arguments before the Delaware Supreme Court.  She also presents seminars to employers and insurance carriers regarding workers’ compensation claims handling and changes in Delaware workers’ compensation law.

Lindsey Lewis rejoined F&P last June.  She previously was associated with the firm’s Herndon, Virginia office before locating to Richmond, Virginia, where she was an Associate at one of the Top 200 largest law firms in the U.S.  Lindsey will be working out of Richmond, VA, helping F&P to enhance its service and capabilities in Central and Southeastern Virginia.  Lindsey has extensive experience in civil litigation in the areas of automobile/transportation liability, employment, premises liability, and professional liability, including defense of medical malpractice and nursing home claims.

6/7/2016: Bert Randall to Sit on Ethical Dilemmas Panel at Upcoming Conference

On June 14, 2016, F&P President Bert Randall will participate in a panel discussion titled “Ethical Dilemmas: Escaping your professional silo” at the Maryland Joint Task Force for Injured Workers’ Annual Conference.  The conference will take place at the Coppin State University’s Talon Center and is sponsored by Coppin State University’s College of Behavioral and Social Sciences and the International Association of Rehabilitation Professionals – Chesapeake.

The conference will aim to provide attendees with essential and practical information that is critical for Claims Adjusters, Nurse Case Managers, Vocational Counselors, Attorneys, Doctors, Therapists and other professionals working with injured workers.

The Joint Task Force on Rehabilitation for the Injured Worker was established in 1983 to provide an educational forum and promote better communication between professionals regarding rehabilitation services for the Maryland injured worker.  The purpose and goal of the Task Force is to identify the skills and knowledge that are needed to assist and equip professionals in providing successful services for Maryland injured workers. Conferences, workshops and written material (The Good Practice Manual and other educational materials) provide the forum to present this information.

5/10/2016: F&P’s Upcoming Liability Seminars

Franklin & Prokopik will be hosting two Liability Seminars, one designed for Virginia and the other for Maryland.

The Virginia Liability Seminar will take place next Wednesday, May 25th from 11:30am-4:00pm (cocktail reception to follow) at The Westin Washington Dulles Airport.  The seminar will cover various hot topics and updates in Virginia liability law, which are outlined in the agenda provided below.

11:30am-12:00pm: Registration and Complimentary Lunch
12:00-12:15pm: Welcome (Rebecca L. Dannenberg, Esq.)
12:15-1:00pm: Slips, Falls, and Paying for It All: Liability of Landowners and the Availability of Risk Transfers (Helen D. Neighbors, Esq.)
1:00-1:30pm: Venue: Trying Cases Around the Commonwealth: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
(Joshua M. Hoffman, Esq.)
1:30-2:00pm: Uber and Lyft: Claims Against Your Insured While they Drive for Uber and Lyft and Recovering Claims Against Uber and Lyft Drivers (Simran Rahi, Esq.)
2:00-2:15pm: Break
2:15-3:00pm: Claims Against a Company and its Employees: What to Do When Stories and Interests Diverge (Rebecca L. Dannenberg, Esq.)
3:00-4:00pm: Panel Discussion:  Virginia Legislative and Case Law Update 
(Moderator: J. Harrison Baker, Esq.)
4:00pm: Happy Hour and Cocktail Reception

Attendees can RSVP Online or contact Joan Hartman to register.

The Maryland Liability Seminar, themed “The Life of a Claim from Pre-Suit to Trial,” will take place on June 9th from 12:30-4:30 (cocktail reception to follow) at Turf Valley in Ellicott City.  Additional topic and speaker details can be found in the agenda provided below.

12:00-12:25 p.m.: Registration and Complimentary Lunch
12:25-12:30 p.m.: Opening Remarks
12:30-1:10 p.m.: Latest Developments in Liability for Negligent Hiring, Training, and Entrustment
Speakers: Steve Marshall, Esq., and Ryan Walburn, Esq.
1:10-1:50 p.m.: Best Practices Following an Incident/Injury
Speakers: Kiran S. Rosen, Esq., and Carrie O’Brien, Esq.
1:50-2:05 p.m.: Break
2:05-2:45 p.m.: Effective Strategies for Pre-Suit Resolution of Claims
Speakers: Ralph Arnsdorf, Esq., and Patrick Wachter, Esq.
2:45-3:25 p.m.: Indemnity, Contribution, and Third-Party Claims
Speakers: Ami Dwyer, Esq., and Brittany Janowski, Esq.
3:25-3:40 p.m.: Break
3:40-3:55 p.m.: Evaluating Traumatic Brain Injuries
Speaker: Jessica Ayd, Esq.
3:55-4:10 p.m.: Scope of Attorney-Client Privilege
Speaker: Emily Chiarizia, Esq.
4:10-4:30 p.m.: Developing Strategy for Trial
Speaker: Brad Fowler, Esq.
4:30 p.m.: Cocktail Reception
*Each session will conclude with a 10 minute Q&A session

Attendees can RSVP Online or contact Joan Hartman.

In addition to Liability, F&P also offers complimentary educational seminars in the areas of Business Law, Workers’ Compensation (MD, VA, and DC), and Labor & Employment.  Visit the events page on our website and join our mailing list to ensure and get the most recent information on all of our programs.