F&P Spotlight on Principal Bert Randall

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What’s your favorite thing about working with your clients?
As corny as it sounds, my clients themselves.  A long time ago I sat through a boring legal consultant speech, and the one salient point he raised was when he asked us to break down our clients into three groups:  1. clients that we love working with; 2. clients that we don’t mind working with; and, 3. clients that we don’t like working with.  He said to stop working with those in the third category and focus on those in the first category, because as he said it “if you don’t like people you’re working for, you’re not giving them proper service.”  He was absolutely right, and ever since, I’ve done my best to work with people that I really enjoy.  It makes every day far more rewarding and fun.  If you can’t laugh a little at work, you should pick another career.  Fortunately, I’m not going anywhere anytime soon!

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
 Being awarded Soldier-of-the-Year and NCO-of-the-Year awards in consecutive years.  While serving in the Army Reserves and Army National Guard only taught me enough to appreciate those in the military that have done far more than I did, it taught me a lot about myself and that you really haven’t had a bad day until you go into a tear gas chamber.  It also taught me that wonder bread and sugar packets make a good dessert when you’re starving in basic training and infantry school.

Do you have any bizarre talents?
I’ve chased down and caught two opossums by hand – it’s one of my longest-standing Randall-family records.

Do you have any favorite travel destinations? 
Yes, currently it is a tie between my bedroom and my kitchen.  I might get adventurous this weekend and check out my basement.

 

Imoh Akpan to Moderate Panel for the National Foundation of Judicial Excellence

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F&P principal, Imoh Akpan, will be moderating a panel on October 15 for the National Foundation of Judicial Excellence (NFJE) Virtual Symposium. This year’s theme is “Law in the New Age:  How Automation and Artificial Intelligence Will Change Judging in Substance and Procedure.” Imoh’s session is called “The Nuts and Bolts of Cybersecurity” and will discuss legal issues that arise when a data breach occurs and the kids of litigation that might arise as well as a review of the overall cybersecurity landscape.

The NFJE works with bar associations, law schools, and non-profit organizations to strengthen and preserve the justice system. To learn more about the National Foundation of Judicial Excellence and this year’s virtual symposium, please visit their website at https://nfje.net/nfjeimis/nfje/home/nfje.

F&P Principal Bert Randall Presents Webinar for IAIABC

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Bert Randall participated in a webinar for the IAIABC Convention on September 24.  Bert was a member of the College of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys’  panel discussing “IAIABC and NAWCJ Judicial Program: Competing Perspectives on COVID19 Presumptions.” The convention’s programs are offered during the month of September.

The IAIABC (International Association of Industrial Accident Boards and Commissions) was founded 106 years ago to find ways to “reduce harm and aid recovery from occupational injuries and illnesses.” To learn more about the IAIABC or this year’s convention, click www.iaiabic.org.

 

F&P Spotlight on Associate Robert Hunt

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What is your practice area and how did you choose it?
Workers’ Compensation.  I wanted to be in the courtroom and doing WC got me there the quickest.

What’s your favorite thing about working with your clients?
When a client comes to me with a case that has a bunch of moving parts, they are not sure what they should do, and we develop a plan and they are relieved and appreciative.  The satisfaction of helping that person is the best.

What is your favorite aspect about working at F&P?
It is a place where you develop.  You are not stuck in a basement doing doc review.  You are given cases, discretion, and set on your way. 

What’s your favorite restaurant/show/event?
We moved offices in the last few years so I will give you two places.  In Wilmington – Libby’s.  This is an old Greek diner that is a staple in the legal and local community.  On any given day, you can find a supreme court justice sitting a table over having a turkey club.  We are now in Newark and I found my new favorite pizza shop – Tony’s Café.  This is a tiny shop in a strip mall that you cannot see from the road but it is amazing.  Try the Grandma’s slice!

What’s your proudest accomplishment?
It is a simple thing.  There was one case where I predicted my opponent’s closing arguments so well that my prepared remarks completely refuted their points.  The attorney called me after and congratulated me on the win – before the Decision was issued.

What do you like to do outside the office?
I have two young children so any physical activity that wears them down!  Individually, I like to golf, cook, read, and support my Eagles.

Have you read any good books or seen any good movies this year that you would recommend?
Re-reading the Wheel of Time Series.  Dr. Sleep – the sequel to The Shining – was quite good.

What is your favorite food?
Any kind of pasta.

What is your all-time favorite city or town and why?
Philadelphia.  I grew up nearby and ended up living there for about 10 years during and after law school. 

What was the best news you ever received?
My wife telling me she’s pregnant with our firstborn.

What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten?
Goat tacos.  Not the greatest of all time.

If you could have lunch with anyone in the world who would it be?
Jack Nicholson.  Just for the stories alone.

F&P Welcomes New Attorneys

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Franklin & Prokopik would like to welcome four associates to the firm. 

Matt Healy joins the Baltimore office as a liability associate who also practices in insurance defense. Before joining F&P, Matt worked with another Baltimore firm and handled general civil litigation matters, insurance defense, and legal support to local Maryland governments. Matt was also a Rule 19-217 Student-Attorney in the Post-Conviction and Appellate Advocacy Clinic where he represented indigent criminal defendants on direct appeals of their convictions.

Alexandra Monaco is the newest liability attorney in Richmond. She focuses her practice on liability defense in the Richmond Metropolitan, Central Virginia, Southeastern Virginia, and Hampton Roads areas. Alexandra’s clients range from national companies to small businesses, which she defends against premises, products, construction, commercial trucking, and transportation liability claims.

Prior to joining F&P, Jessica Pupkin represented clients in various civil litigation matters, including accident/injury/tort claims. Jessica has always been passionate about a career in litigation. However, she knew she wanted to focus her civil defense career after clerking for the Honorable John S. Nugent in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Jessica is resident in our Baltimore office.

Joining Herndon’s workers’ compensation team, Danielle Takacs previously worked for the Environmental Protection Agency as a Federal Facilities Enforcement Office Law Clerk. She was an articles editor on the William & Mary Environmental Law and Policy Review.

8/20/2020: F&P Attorneys Receive “Best Lawyers” and “Ones to Watch” Accolades

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“Best Lawyers” recently announced its designees for “Best Lawyers” and “Ones to Watch” for 2021. Baltimore principal, Ralph Arnsdorf received “Best Lawyers” for Litigation – Construction, and Bert Randall was honored in the categories of Employment Law – Management and Workers’ Compensation Law. Principal Lynn Fitzpatrick, resident in our Herndon office received the designation for Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers.

This year, “Best Lawyers” added a “Ones to Watch” category, and the attorneys selected include:

Jessica Ayd – Construction Law and Insurance Law

James Hetzel – Commercial Litigation and Transportation Law

Elena Patarinski – Product Liability Litigation

“Best Lawyers” is a peer-review process where lawyers are assessed by their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area and who have been in practice for more than 10 years. “Ones to Watch” are awarded to attorneys who have been in practice for five to nine years and is also based solely on peer review. To learn more about “Best Lawyers,” visit www.bestlawyers.com.

8/6/2020: Imoh Akpan Featured in Yesterday’s Issue of DRI’s The Voice

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F&P principal, Imoh Akpan, is featured in yesterday’s issue of DRI’s The Voice. His article, “We Have a Responsibility Too” discusses the importance of race consciousness in the legal profession. “If we want to see change and more opportunities for lawyers from underrepresented backgrounds, we all have a role to play and a responsibility to pay forward the opportunities that were bestowed on us,” says Imoh.

To read the entire article, please click on the link http://dri.org/docs/default-source/webdocs/the-voice/2020/july/voice_8_5_20_voices.pdf 

The DRI, the Voice of the Defense Bar, is an organization comprised of defense attorneys and in-house counsel. Imoh is a member of the planning committee for the DRI Diversity for Success Expo. To learn more about the DRI, visit their website at dri.org.

 

7/17/2020: Imoh Akpan to Speak on COVID-Related Legislation

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F&P principal, Imoh Akpan, is slated to participate in a webinar on August 5, 2020 titled, “The Calm Before the Storm: A Look at COVID-Related Legislation.” The webinar is hosted by the University of Baltimore School of Law and will address how attorneys, consumers, and business owners can protect themselves from liability resulting from the global pandemic.

To register for this webinar, please click on the link http://law.ubalt.edu/about/news/ub-law-in-focus/the-calm-before-the-storm.cfm.

7/7/2020: Steve Marshall Presents at the 2020 CLM Cyber, Management and Professional Liability Conference

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F&P principal, Steve Marshall is co-presenting on “Litigation in Sound Bites: How to Prepare a Case in the New Millennium” today, July 7, at the 2020 CLM Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Conference. The presentation addresses technological challenges in today’s world and the best practice for trial and litigation regarding social media in discovery. Steve will also discuss the use of exhibits during litigation, case theme strategies, evaluating a case early for settlement, and “how to avoid the ‘reptile’ plaintiff.”

The CLM is a member of The Institutes with a membership of about 45,000 professionals in the claims and litigation management industries. For more information, visit The CLM’s website at https://www.theclm.org/.

 

 

Tamara Goorevitz to Speak On Implications of Liability Claims Amid the COVID Pandemic

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F&P principal Tamara Goorevitz is speaking in a two-part webinar series titled “COVID King: Investigating and Defending the Liability Mayhem and Madness” hosted by USLAW on June 9 at 3:0o pm.

As business and government navigate the complex issues regarding re-opening businesses, insurance, and risk management specialists will inevitably face COVID-19 related liability claims and must lay the groundwork on how to investigate and defend these claims. This webinar will also address how the CDC and Executive Orders will impact these extraordinary challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The series will explore the following topics: what are potential liability claims, how do Executive Orders and CDC guidelines affect potential liability, what causation issues may arise, and what to expect regarding experts. Michael Kunsch of Sweeney & Sheehan, P.C., will be co-facilitate with Tamara.

To find out more about this session or to register for Part 2 (June 9 at 3 p.m. ET), click bordering the link REGISTER.

Visit USLAW’s website at https://web.uslaw.org to find out more about USLAW.

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