Newsroom
Defense Verdict Resulting in the Dismissal of a Claim Petition
Jeff Laudenbach and Brian Sumner obtained a defense verdict resulting in the dismissal of a Claim Petition arising from an alleged unwitnessed workplace injury. Claimant alleged a cervical spine injury with immediate onset of radiating pain that resulted in a two level cervical spine disc replacement surgery. Through factual and medical evidence, Jeff and Brian were able to establish a recent pre-existing medical history of similar complaints and inconsistent histories for the mechanism of injury. Employer witnesses had documented communications details with Claimant surrounding the time of the alleged accident to support their testimony and the expert discovery identified additional inconsistencies in the mechanism of injury. The documented inconsistent statements and history significantly boosted the impact of the defense testimony resulting in a favorable outcome.
GGM is pleased to announce our new team member Cassidy R. Page
GGM is pleased to announce our new team member Cassidy Page, in our firm’s professional and product liability and catastrophic injury team. Before joining GGM Cassidy worked at a Pennsylvania firm where she represented individuals in personal injury, toxic tort, nursing home abuse, as well as motor vehicle matters. Cassidy has assisted with trail, argued various motions in court as well as taken and defended lay and expert witness depositions.
Cassidy, graduated from The Pennsylvania State University, Penn State Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. Cassidy is also a graduate Northern Illinois University where she received her B.S. in Marketing.
GGM is pleased to announce its newest Litigation Associate Kate M. Hurley
Our GGM team continues to expand with our new Workmen’s Comp associate Kate Hurley. Kate’s recent experience was working as a Judicial Law Clerk in The First Judicial District of PA, were she drafted memoranda related to cases, as well as observed and conducted relevant research in court, read an prepped for custody, PFA and PFA violation cases. She has previous law experience drafting and editing wills, POAs, ADHC and trust amendments, as well as drafted and edited complaints for motor vehicle and slip and fall accidents.
Kate graduated from Drexel University, Thomas R. Line School of Law. Kate received the Rising Advocate Scholarship, and Excellence in Workers Compensation Law Award. Prior to laws school Kate attended James Madison University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Psychology.
Jacob C. Lehman Presents at ALFA’s Business Litigation Regional Seminar in Philadelphia
On December 7th, Partner Jacob C. Lehman presented at ALFA’s Business Litigation group regional seminar in Philadelphia. Entitled “Protecting In-House Counsel’s Attorney-Client Privilege”, the presentation focused on relevant law and best practices for corporate legal departments in structuring communications in order to ensure attorney-client privilege is protected in litigation.
For more information or materials please contact Mr. Lehman (lehmanj@ggmfirm.com).
Andre J. Webb and Francis V. Bovio Obtain Successful Transfer of Case Out of Philadelphia County
Andre J. Webb and Francis V. Bovio obtained the successful transfer of a case from Philadelphia County to Delaware County via Preliminary Objections to a Complaint for improper venue. The Complaint alleged that their client, a Pennsylvania business entity, regularly conducted business in Philadelphia County as a basis for proper venue in Philadelphia County. Plaintiff argued that the client received funds from a Philadelphia County entity for its business operations as a basis for venue. Following a court-ordered discovery period and several oral arguments on the issue, a Philadelphia County judge transferred the matter from Philadelphia County, as Andre and Francis showed that the quality and quantity of their client’s contacts with Philadelphia County were incidental to its operations, and the Court held that the client did not regularly conduct business in Philadelphia County.
Andre J. Webb and Francis V. Bovio Obtain Successful Dismissal of Client via Preliminary Objections
Andre J. Webb and Francis V. Bovio obtained the successful dismissal of a client, a regional chain of convenience stores, via Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiff’s Complaint. The Complaint alleged that the client was responsible for a defective sidewalk which caused the Plaintiff injuries. Andre and Francis argued that the sidewalk was not the responsibility of the client and, following extensive briefing and oral argument on the issue, the Court agreed, dismissing the client from the case before having to engage in discovery and protracted litigation.
GGM is pleased to announce its newest Litigation Associate Michael G. Balabon
Our Team is growing! We are pleased to announce the addition of Michael G. Balabon to our Team of Litigation Associates. Michael will add to the current Litigation team by focusing his practice on medical malpractice, product liability, and catastrophic loss defense, as well as corporate litigation. Prior to joining GGM, Mike worked in a boutique medical malpractice/personal injury firm in New Jersey, where he defended medical personnel, facilities and some of the largest hospital networks in the state. He has some experience appearing before the court and has attended depositions, engaged in complex motion practice and discovery.
Mike obtained his Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law School, and holds a Bachelors of Science in Management Information Systems from the William G. Rohrer College of Business at Rowan University, an AACSB accredited business school.
Prior to law school, Mike worked in business development at medical writing and communications start-up. While pursuing his law degree, he interned at the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, as well as several private law firms servicing the South Jersey and Philadelphia metropolitan areas.
Andre J. Webb Presents at PBI’s Personal Injury Law Conference
Andre J. Webb presented at Pennsylvania Bar Institute’s Personal Injury Conference 2023. Andre was a featured speaker on the PA Civil Procedure Primer and spoke on Discovery and Experts. The presentation was attended by nearly 200 attorneys throughout the state of Pennsylvania.
Successful Resolution of Lawsuit Alleging Foreign Object in Food
Andre J. Webb and Francis V. Bovio obtained a successful settlement on behalf of their client, a national restaurant chain, for a low four (4) figure settlement amount following a nearly six (6) figure initial demand. The matter involved allegations that a foreign object found in the Plaintiff’s food had to be surgically removed from the Plaintiff after being ingested by the Plaintiff at the restaurant. Following several requests and motion practice on producing the foreign object, Andre and Francis arranged for an engineer to inspect and test the object, which revealed that the object did not come from their client’s restaurant, resulting in a significantly lowered demand and successful outcome for their client.
GGM is pleased to announce its newest Litigation Associate Chantez Degraffenreid
GGM is happy to announce that we’ve added a new Litigation Associate to our growing team. Chantez Degraffenreid recently joined our Litigation group and will focus her practice on the defense of casualty, premises, products and trucking and transportation matters. Prior to joining GGM, Chantez was an Associate practicing in general liability, trucking/transportation, medical malpractice and insurance coverage. Chantez has experience in everything from pre-trial motions to arbitration briefs, depositions, hearings, motions, opinions and research. Chantez also previously served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Shanese I. Johnson in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas-Criminal Division.
Chantez graduated from Drexel University, Thomas Kline School of Law. She served as an Admissions Ambassador, Secretary of the Black Law Student Association, Mock Trial Team Member, Mock Trial/Moot Court Coordinator, a Marshall-Brennan Fellow, and a Diversity Pipeline Program Mentor. She also has experience in Pro-Bono matters.
Prior to Law School, Chantez received her Bachelor of Arts, cum laude, in Political Science from Coastal Carolina University.
