NEWS

Congratulations to Thad Spalding and trial counsel Jon Hanna, Robert White, and Greta Braker, who successfully convinced the El Paso Court of Appeals that summary judgment based on the Workers’ Compensation Act’s exclusive remedy provision was not proper because of fact issues as to whether killed and injured passengers’ travel from a drilling site to a bunkhouse originated in or related to Amerimex’s business.  Amerimex, who previously argued that its driver who caused the crash was not in the course and scope of his employment with them, claimed that the passengers—also Amerimex employees—were in the course and scope of their employment with the company.  The El Paso Court of Appeals determined that even if the driver may have been in the course and scope of his employment, that did not mean the passengers were too, given that the passengers were not paid for their travel time to the bunkhouse, were not even required to stay in the bunkhouse, and were not on the clock after they left the drill site.  You can see Thad’s oral argument here, and read the court of appeals opinion here.

DP&S is proud to announce that every lawyer in our Santa Fe office has been named Southwest (Arizona and New Mexico) “Super Lawyers” for 2021, an honor based on professional achievement and peer recognition.

This is Rosalind Bienvenu‘s first year to be named a “Rising Star”!  Roz was one of only six attorneys named “Rising Star” in the Appellate category, and one of only four in New Mexico.

This is Caren Friedman‘s 15th year to be named a “Super Lawyer” in the Appellate category.  Caren is one of only seven New Mexico attorneys, and the only one from Santa Fe, to be named to the list.

Justin Kaufman was named a “Super Lawyer” in the Plaintiff’s Products Liability category.  This is Justin’s 5th year to be named to the list, and he is one of only two New Mexico attorneys, and the only Santa Fe attorney, to be listed in this category.

Congratulations to Dana Levy who convinced the El Paso Court of Appeals to reverse a summary judgment granted in favor of an oil well services company and against our injured client.  The court found fact issues as to the company’s liability for a collision caused by one of its workers, who was returning to remote well site after purchasing necessary supplies.  Specifically, the court found that the existence of an employment relationship and whether the worker was acting in the course and scope of his employment were questions that needed to be answered by a jury.  You can see Dana’s oral argument here, and read the court’s opinion here.

Once again, DP&S was proud to sponsor the Ultimate Writer Competition at Baylor Law School.  Students compete not only for a cash prize, but also the opportunity to interview for a possible internship with our firm.  This year’s winners were William de los Santos, first place; Grace Bregard, second place; Catherine Helm, third pace; and Timothy Phillips and Tom Evans, honorable mentions.  You can read more about the winners and the competition here.

Congratulations to Tammy Holt who successfully defeated a Mandamus Petition filed by a Defendant claiming that In re North Cypress entitled him to broad medical expense discovery and claiming that the doctor’s objections should  be overruled because (1) he sought the amounts actually reflected as payment in full on the doctors’ books (as opposed to seeking insurance reimbursement rates), and (2) the parties subpoenaed were experts because they were testifying regarding future medical expenses.  In denying the petition, the court held that In Re North Cypress was “readily distinguishable” did not allow discovery “of the fees charged and accepted from other patients for the same medical services that were provided or recommended to the plaintiff.”  You can read the 13th Court’s opinion here.

Congratulations to Lana Beverly who, along with trial counsel, Brian Steward, successfully defended the medical expert report by a radiologist who testified regarding another radiologist’s failure to diagnose the plaintiff’s breast cancer. On appeal, Lana persuaded the court that the expert radiologist was qualified to provide a causation opinion regarding the delayed cancer diagnosis and that the expert radiologist’s opinion that the delayed diagnosis permitted the progression of metastatic disease was adequate to satisfy the causation standard for purposes of Chapter 74.  You can read the Court’s opinion here.

DP&S was in the Texas Supreme Court twice this week!  Thad Spalding, along with co-counsel, Tex Quesada, argued Tuesday on behalf of an injured worker in a case dealing with a general contractor’s right of control over a worksite.  You can see the argument here.  The next day, Kirk Pittard argued a case addressing medical record affidavits and the standards applicable to counter-affidavits under a Texas statute.  You can see Kirk’s argument here.

Congratulations to DP&S’s Santa Fe partner, Caren Friedman, on her victory in the New Mexico Court of Appeals in a domestic relations appeal arising under the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act.  The appeal raised six issues, and the Court unanimously affirmed the judgment, including an attorney fee award.

Congratulations to DP&S’s Santa Fe partner, Caren Friedman, who presented argument on behalf of the Appellant in the New Mexico Supreme Court on January 15, 2021.  The case is a direct appeal to the Supreme Court under the New Mexico Constitution because the Appellant was sentenced to life imprisonment.  Caren argued for the reversal of a first-degree murder conviction on constitutional and evidentiary grounds.  You can listen to Caren’s argument here.

Congratulations to Rick Thompson who, along with co-counsel Matthew Butler, successfully defeated an effort by a solid waste operator to challenge to Westlake’s authority to impose a license fee on all commercial solid waste operators within the town.  You can read Rick and Matthew’s briefing here, and the Fort Worth Court of Appeals opinion here.