Lawrence E. Barbiere and John W. Hust Receive Premier 100 Designation from American Academy of Trial Attorneys

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The American Academy of Trial Attorneys (AATA) has recently recognized both Lawrence E. Barbiere and  John W. Hust among the 100 premier trial attorneys in the state of Ohio.  This is a distinction reserved for attorneys who have established themselves through their professionalism and excellence in service.

Membership into AATA’s Premier 100 requires the satisfaction of stringent criteria and standards as established by the AATA Board of Directors. Less than 1% of the 1.2 million attorneys currently practicing in the U.S. will be selected to receive this important and prestigious designation. Criteria for membership may include, but is not limited to, the following:

·      An individual attorney’s commitment to ethics and professionalism

·      Notable verdicts, achievements or settlements

·      Board Certified Specialization as designated by the State Bar or other leading organization

·      Nominations from the Board of Directors, industry leading trial attorneys, and existing Premier 100 Trial Attorney membership

·      Membership and executive positions held within state trial attorney organizations or other leading organizations

·      Any Current ratings or ranking profiles as identified by reputable and credible online or local evaluations

Lawrence E. Barbiere Wins Important Public Records Act Victory In Court of Appeals

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SMBP government liability attorney Larry Barbiere successfully represented a former township assistant development administrator in a case where it was alleged the employee and the township violated the Ohio Public Records Act. The suit alleged the township and the employee unlawfully destroyed public records under R.C. 149.351 and failed to respond to a public records request within a reasonable time under R.C. 149.43. On August 27, 2012, the Ohio Twelfth District Court of Appeals handed down its decision in State ex rel. Doe v. Tetrault, CA2011-10-070, in which it, among other things, affirmed the trial court’s decision that certain notes created by a government employee on scrap paper and on a township owned laptop were not “public records” under the Act. View a copy of the decision.

SMBP Promotes Two to Partner

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SMBP is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2013, Attorneys Scott Sollmann and Kurt Irey have become partners in the firm. Please join us in congratulating them on their accomplishment.

Christopher L. Moore Wins Case for National Retailer

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SMBP Partner Chris Moore recently obtained summary judgment on behalf of a national retailer in a case in which a plaintiff alleged he suffered the aggravation of a preexisting heart condition and post traumatic stress after being asked to leave a store after causing a disturbance. The plaintiff alleged that the store was negligent and had violated his Fourth Amendment rights when a store security officer escorted him out of the store after he refused to vacate the premises. The Court granted the motion and dismissed the case, agreeing that the store had the right to control its premises and that the plaintiff’s refusal to leave the store, once asked, changed his status to that of a trespasser with no rights to remain in the store.

SMBP Government Liability Lawyers Attend Section 1983 Conference in Chicago

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Attorneys from SMBP’s governmental liability practice group attended the 32nd Annual Chicago-Kent College of Law Section 1983 Civil Litigation Conference on April 16-17, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The conference features preeminent legal scholars and practitioners from across the country and provides updates on municipal and supervisory liability, alleged police misconduct, individual immunities, substantive due process, and other subjects relevant to Section 1983 litigation. Jay Patton, Kurt Irey, and Katie Barbiere attended this year’s conference.

Admiralty Group Attorneys attend 2015 GNOBFA Seminar in New Orleans

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SMBP admiralty and maritime group attorneys Megan Ahrens and Todd Powers attended the annual Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association (“GNOBFA”) River and Marine Industry Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana in April. The seminar provides valuable updates on Jones Act liability, longshore and harbor workers compensation, liability under the general maritime law, collisions, licensure, and other maritime concerns. For further information about the Seminar, visit https://gnobfa.com/seminar.htm.

Lawrence E. Barbiere Makes IU Hall of Fame

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SMBP Prtner Larry Barbiere was inducted into the Indiana University Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame October 4, 2013 in Bloomington. Barbiere was a member of the Indiana University swimming and diving team from 1970-1973. In 1970, he was the NCAA Champion in 100-yard backstroke and the Big 10 Champion in the 100 and 200 yard backstroke and the 200 yard individual medley. He is an eleven-time All-American, and a key member of the Hoosiers’ four consecutive NCAA national and Big 10 championship teams from 1970 to 1973. At age 17, prior to attending IU, Barbiere represented the United States at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, competing in the men’s 100-meter backstroke, finishing fourth in the event final.

SMBP Government Liability Lawyers Attend Section 1983 Conference in Chicago

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Attorneys from SMBP attended the 31st Annual Chicago-Kent College of Law Section 1983 Civil Litigation Conference on April 23-24, 2014 in Chicago Illinois. The conference features preeminent legal scholars and practitioners from across the country and provides updates on municipal and supervisory liability, alleged police misconduct, individual immunities, substantive due process, and other topics relevant to Section 1983 litigation.Larry Barbiere, Jay Patton, Kurt Irey, Scott Sollmann, Mike Morgalis, Katie Barbiere, andBrian Hurley attended this year’s conference.

Admiralty Group Attorneys attend 2014 GNOBFA Seminar in New Orleans

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SMB&P attorneys Todd Powers, Megan Ahrens, and John Milligan attended the annual Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association (“GNOBFA”) River and Marine Industry Seminar in New Orleans, Louisiana on April 9-11, 2014. The seminar provides valuable updates on Jones Act liability, longshore and harbor workers compensation, liability under the general maritime law, collisions, licensure, and other maritime concerns. For further information about the Seminar, visit https://gnobfa.com/seminar.htm.

SMBP Attorneys Author Article on Ohio Firearm Preemption Statute

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SMBP Attorneys Larry Barbiere and John Milligan have published an informative article on Ohio’s Firearm Preemption Statute, which addresses whether Ohio home-rule municipalities may enact and enforce local gun-control ordinances. The article is published in the Spring 2014 Public Entities Pool of Ohio newsletter. The article can be found online at https://www.pepohio.org/newsletters/2014/CurrentNewsletter.pdf Mr. Barbiere is the Managing Partner at SMB&P. He focuses his practice on municipal defense and has extensive litigation experience in civil rights, zoning and land use, premises liability and employment law. Mr. Milligan is an Associate with SMB&P; his practice focuses primarily in the areas of insurance defense, labor and employment law, admiralty and maritime Law, municipal liability, and civil rights.