News & Achievements
On June 12, 2012, a jury in the Western District Federal Court awarded plaintiff Elijah Turley a twenty-five million dollar ($25,000,000.00) verdict. The lawsuit was commenced on behalf of Elijah Turley against ArcelorMittal in 2006 for Hostile Work Environment and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. Mr. Turley was represented by Ryan J. Mills and Donald B. Eppers of Brown & Kelly LLP.
The jury found a Hostile Work Environment existed along with Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress. The plaintiff presented evidence of a work environment permeated by racial discrimination. Plaintiff argued the activities in question went beyond harassment and included such incidents as "KKK" graffiti repeatedly sprayed on the walls and a stuffed monkey with a noose around its neck hanging from the plaintiff’s vehicle.
"Elijah Turley and his family are very pleased that justice was finally obtained," said Co-Managing Partner Ryan Mills. "We have a tremendous amount of respect for the jury in this case."
Mentioned Attorney: Ryan J. Mills
Patricia S. Ciccarelli served as co-chair for the national Lead Litigation Conference in New Orleans on October 18-19, 2012. The Conference featured some of the nation's premier lead litigation attorneys and several prominent judges discussing a range of relevant topics in lead paint law, from determining the sources of lead exposure to selecting the most effective experts. Ms. Ciccarelli, who moderated the Judical Roundtable at the Conference, is well known in the legal community and among insurers for her particular expertise in defending lead paint claims.
Mentioned Attorney: Patricia S. Ciccarelli
Mary C. Fitzgerald, counsel with Brown & Kelly LLP, presented at the conference chaired by Ms. Ciccarelli. Ms. Fitzgerald practices in the areas of insurance coverage and defense litigation, with an emphasis on defending lead paint claims. She also has extensive appellate experience. At the Conference, she spoke on "Improving Your Chances in a Lead Case."
Mentioned Attorney: Mary C. Fitzgerald
Brown & Kelly has been awarded the Law Firm Commitment Award from the Volunteer Lawyers Project of Western New York for its strong commitment to providing pro bono legal assistance.
Donald B. Eppers, William D. Harrington, Paul Michael Hassett, Kenneth A. Krajewski, Andrew D. Merrick, and Joseph M. Schnitter have been named Super Lawyers by New York Super Lawyers Magazine, 2010 Upstate Edition. Inclusion in Super Lawyers is based on a rigorous, multi-step selection process, which includes background and experience as well as peer review recommendation. The selection as a Super Lawyer is a great honor, not only because it recognizes outstanding achievement, but also because it is dependent upon the recommendation of peers.
Jessica J. Burgasser has been appointed Co-Vice Chair of the Social Media subcommittee at the Defense Research Institute.
Kenneth A. Krajewski will serve as the Buffalo Chair for the New York State Bar Association's program "Law School for Insurance Professionals" to be held in Buffalo on September 28, 2011. He will also speak on current auto liability and coverage issues at the Program when given in Albany on September 23, 2011.
Joseph M. Schnitter will speak on current auto liability and coverage issues at the New York State Bar Association's program "Law School for Insurance Professionals" to be held in Buffalo on September 28, 2011.