Newsroom
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.
Andre J. Webb appointed Chair of ALFA International’s Future Leaders Practice Group
ALFA International is the premier network of independent law firms. Founded in 1980, ALFA International was the first and continues to be one of the largest and strongest legal networks. ALFA International has 140 member firms worldwide. ALFA’s 80 U.S. firms maintain offices in 95 of the 100 largest metropolitan areas, with the 60 international firms located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia/New Zealand, Africa, Canada, Mexico and South America.
ALFA International’s Future Leaders Practice Group provides young attorneys with the professional development and practical skills needed to become the next generation of leaders who will carry ALFA International into the future.
Jeffrey Laudenbach Participates in the 2023 ALFA International Workers Compensation Seminar
The 2023 ALFAI Workers Compensation Seminar included a roundtable general session discussing the best strategies for achieving optimal performance from your claims and litigation team through the workers’ compensation claims process. To learn more about the topics presented, click here: https://bit.ly/3PYjFkh
German Gallagher & Murtagh Sponsors and Participates in the 5th Annual Philadelphia KCPA Golf outing.
German Gallagher & Murtagh was proud to sponsor and participate in the 5th Annual Philadelphia KCPA Golf outing. Another great event raising scholarship funds.
