Accolades And Rankings
Berman & Simmons
and 5 partners receive top rankings in Chambers USA 2007. Cited as "best
plaintiff's firm in the state"
Berman & Simmons'
Lawyers have earned top rankings in Best Lawyers in America in all editions.
Four Berman & Simmons lawyers were selected for inclusion in a recent edition.
Berman & Simmons received a “highly recommended” rating and also recognized as “Maine’s top plaintiffs’ firm”.
Recent News from Berman & Simmons Attorneys
PRESS RELEASE - January 30, 2012
THE LAW FIRM OF BERMAN & SIMMONS ELEVATES JAMES E. O’CONNELL III TO EQUITY MEMBER
Berman & Simmons, located in Lewiston, Portland, and Bangor, is pleased to announce that James E. O’Connell III has become an equity member in the firm. Jim represents injured people throughout Maine in cases involving negligent conduct, professional malpractice, defective products or business torts. Jim maximizes the value of cases by combining his reasoned aggression and sound judgment with the support of his invaluable staff and colleagues. He has successfully resolved hundreds of cases for clients throughout Maine and has served as trial counsel in complicated cases.
Jim is a graduate of Tufts University and Northeastern University School of Law. Before joining Berman & Simmons, he gained significant experience litigating and trying complex civil and criminal matters at a prominent international law firm and as an Assistant Attorney General in Boston.
He is a member of the Maine State Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, and the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. He is admitted to the United States District Court, Districts of Maine and Massachusetts and the United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit. He lives in North Yarmouth with his wife and son. In his spare time, Jim enjoys coaching sports and serves on the Board of Directors for the Casco Bay Hockey Association.
ABOUT BERMAN & SIMMONS
Founded in 1914, Berman & Simmons is an aggressive, results-oriented plaintiff’s law firm. Berman & Simmons attorneys hold many of the largest personal injury verdicts ever obtained in Maine Courts. For nearly 100 years, the trial lawyers at Berman & Simmons have handled all types of plaintiff’s cases, from car accidents to medical malpractice to civil rights and other complex civil trial matters. With offices in Portland, Lewiston and Bangor, Berman & Simmons represents clients throughout the State of Maine and Northern New England. For more information, please visit www.bermansimmons.com.
January 11, 2012: Our offices experienced an interruption in phone service between the hours of 9:45 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. We apologize for the inconvenience.
January 9, 2012: Michael T. Bigos was sworn into the U.S.Supreme Court Bar.
January 2, 2012: William D. Robitzek became President Elect of the maine State Bart Association and will become its President in 2013.
October 28, 2011 - Bangor Daily News - Family wins ACLU award for work on transgender issues in Maine....Jodi Nofsinger, a Portland attorney who is a member of the legal team representing the family in the lawsuit, said that the Maineses are unusual clients.
For the complete story go to:
Bangor Daily NewsPRESS RELEASE - October 14, 2011
STEVEN SILIN, ESQ. NAMED “2012 MAINE PLAINTIFF PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER OF THE YEAR-AUGUSTA, MAINE”
Attorney Steven D. Silin of Berman & Simmons, PA, a trial law firm with a state-wide practice, has been named the 2012 Maine Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year-Augusta, Maine, by Best Lawyers in America. Attorney Silin was selected for this honor by earning the highest level of respect among his peers for his abilities, professionalism, and integrity.
Steven D. Silin specializes in claims involving serious personal injury, medical malpractice and products liability. He has successfully resolved hundreds of cases and obtained some of the largest jury verdicts in Maine. He was the chairperson of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court’s Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure from 2005 through 2008. He has been a Fellow of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers since 2002. He is one of the founding directors of the Maine College of Trial Advocacy and a Past President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. Attorney Silin has been awarded the highest rating, “AV®,” by Martindale-Hubbell.
To identify top lawyers in each state, Best Lawyers in America conducts exhaustive, confidential surveys of leading lawyers who are asked to evaluate their professional peers. He was selected as "Maine's Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2009 by Best Lawyers, the first time this award was ever given.
PRESS RELEASE - October 14, 2011
JURY FINDS AGAINST TRUCKING COMPANY
A jury in Oxford County Superior Court yesterday awarded $310,000 to the children of Richard Ray, who was killed in a three-way collision on Route 26 in West Paris, Maine on November 23, 2009. The collision occurred when Tricia Ann Beretz fell asleep at the wheel, causing her Acura to drift into the oncoming lane and into the path of a tractor-trailer truck operated by Midwest-Price Company, LLC, a forest-products business located in West Paris. As the tractor-trailer driver neared the Acura, he slammed on the brakes, but it was not in time. The Acura collided with the front of the tractor-trailer, knocking out its steering and causing the tractor trailer to veer across the road, directly into the path of the pickup truck driven by Richard Ray. The tractor trailer overturned on top of the pickup truck, crushing it and killing Ray.
Ray’s children were represented in the case by Attorney Benjamin Gideon of Berman & Simmons, a state-wide trial law firm. The children brought claims against Ms. Beretz and Midwest Price. At trial, Ms. Beretz acknowledged her role in the accident and admitted fault. Midwest Price denied any fault in the crash and blamed Ms. Beretz.
At trial, Attorney Gideon presented evidence showing that a number of the tractor trailer’s brakes were out of adjustment at the time of the accident. An expert testified that if the brakes had been properly adjusted, the braking by the driver would have slowed the tractor trailer preventing the rollover onto the pickup truck. A State Medical Examiner testified that Ray survived the initial impact with the tractor trailer and was killed only as a result of crush injuries he received from the rollover.
The jury returned a verdict allocating ninety-percent of the fault to the Midwest Price Company and only ten percent to Ms. Beretz for causing the fatality.
“This verdict sends a strong message to all companies that operate commercial trucks that they must be safe before they are placed on the public roads,” said attorney Gideon. “As this crash shows, heavy trucks that do not meet safety requirements pose serious dangers to all other motorists.”
October 14, 3011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Family awarded $310K in wrongful death suit in Paris |
Benjamin R. Gideon represented deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 14, 2011
October 13, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Trucking company employees speak at fatal crash trial |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 13, 2011
October 12, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Driver in West Paris fatal crash testifies |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 12, 2011
PRESS RELEASE - October 11, 2011:
JULIAN SWEET, ESQ. NAMED “2012 AUGUSTA MAINE MEDICAL MALPRACTICE PLAINTIFF LAWYER OF THE YEAR”
Attorney Julian L. Sweet of Berman & Simmons, PA has been named the 2012 Augusta Maine Medical Malpractice Plaintiff Lawyer of the Year by Best Lawyers in America. Attorney Sweet was selected for this honor based on his exceptional ability, professionalism, and integrity, according to the publication.
Mr. Sweet is widely known and respected for his representation of plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases. He has obtained verdicts of $9 million and $7.9 million, the largest verdicts in Maine history in cases involving medical malpractice. In addition to this most recent honor, Mr. Sweet has been recognized as one of the top malpractice lawyers by New England Super Lawyers. He is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has received the highest ranking by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Sweet is a partner at the sixteen-lawyer firm of Berman & Simmons, PA.
To identify top lawyers in each state, Best Lawyers in America conducts exhaustive, peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
October 7, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Children, medical examiner testify about West Paris accident victim |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 7, 2011
October 6, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Faulty brakes may have contributed to fatal crash, witnesses say |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 6, 2011
October 5, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Tractor-trailer driver testifies he couldn't avoid fatal collison |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For complete story: Sun Journal October 5, 2011
October 4, 2011 - Lewiston Sun Journal - Civil Trial Begins in West Paris Chip Truck Crash |
Benjamin R. Gideon represents deceased driver's family in fatal 2009 accident. For the complete story: Sun Journal October 4, 2011
September 2, 2011 - MPBN interviews Julian L. Sweet regarding recent Medical Malpractice ruling that could affect misdiagnosis cases. To listen: MPBN Interview with Julian Sweet
PRESS RELEASE: August 12, 2011
BERMAN & SIMMONS PRAISED AS "THE STANDOUT PLAINTIFFS' FIRM" BY CHAMBERS & PARTNERS USA
Berman & Simmons earned the highest of rankings in Chambers & Partners USA, a leading guide to America’s law firms and attorneys. Berman & Simmons was commended for being, “a niche firm that is widely cited as the standout plaintiffs’ firm in the state” and “excellent plaintiffs’ trial lawyers.” Six attorneys were also individually recognized by Chambers & Partners USA.
Jack Simmons, ranked as a Senior Statesman, was recognized as “a giant of the trial bar.” William Robitzek, ranked in band 1, was described as being a highly experienced litigator in the field of personal injury. Steven Silin, ranked in band 1, was praised for his extensive trial experience in the area of complex and catastrophic personal injury. Julian Sweet, ranked in band 1, was commended for being a “top-notch attorney” who achieves excellent results for his clients. Jodi Nofsinger, ranked in band 1, was praised as a “terrific attorney” who is highly regarded by peers. Benjamin Gideon was recognized for focusing on civil rights, nursing home negligence, and product liability matters.
Jack H. Simmons has been an active trial lawyer since his admission to the bar in 1964. He has tried numerous complex medical malpractice cases, various tort cases, and significant criminal cases. Mr. Simmons has been listed in The Best Lawyer in America for Litigation in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Business, and Criminal and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a former member and chairperson on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence and Rules of Civil Procedure.
William D. Robitzek has established himself as one of Maine’s top trial lawyers. His practice spans the areas of personal injury, professional malpractice, and complex litigation. Mr. Robitzek is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Business litigation and Personal Injury litigation and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Robitzek is a frequent lecturer on the law and serves as an Adjunct Professor at University of Maine School of Law, where he teaches on the subject of trial practice.
Steven D. Silin specializes in claims involving catastrophic injury and medical malpractice, and has obtained some of the highest jury verdicts in Maine history. He was recently named "Maine's Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2009 by Best Lawyers in America, where he is listed for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice litigation. Mr. Silin has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2002. He is a Past President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Julian L. Sweet specializes in complex medical malpractice cases. In 2001, Mr. Sweet obtained the largest verdict in Maine history for a medical malpractice plaintiff of $9 million. More recently, he obtained a $7.9 million verdict in a malpractice case involving birth injury. He was recently recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers by New England Super Lawyers—the only plaintiff’s lawyer in Maine to receive this honor. Mr. Sweet is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice litigation. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004 and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Jodi L. Nofsinger specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She has successfully handled a variety of personal injury and medical malpractice cases through trial in most counties in Maine. Ms. Nofsinger has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She serves on the Board of Governors of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and is the President Elect. She has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maine School of Law, for Trial Advocacy.
Benjamin R. Gideon represents injured persons throughout Maine in cases involving personal injury, products liability, nursing home litigation, and civil rights. He is a graduate of Cornell University and Yale Law School. He is a member of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and the American Bar Association. He has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Maine School of Law. He is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
PRESS RELEASE: April 23, 2011
MIRIAM A. JOHNSON JOINS BERMAN & SIMMONS
Berman & Simmons is pleased to announce that Miriam A. Johnson will be working with the firm's senior attorneys on their expanding case load of medical malpractice and personal injury cases. Miriam was born and raised in Portland and is a 1993 graduate of Deering High School. She attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York. After graduating from college, Miriam lived in China teaching English and then worked in Massachusetts in the publishing field. After living out of state, Miriam chose to return to Maine to pursue her law career.
She graduated from the University of Maine School of Law where she was selected to be a Legal Writing Instructor and Co-President of the Maine Association for Public Interest Law. She worked as a student attorney at the Cumberland Legal Aid Clinic helping low-income clients with family and criminal law matters.
Prior to joining Berman & Simmons, Miriam was an Assistant District Attorney for Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox, and Waldo Counties. She was a founding board member of the Maine Alliance for Drug Treatment Courts. She currently serves as the Secretary for the Board of Directors of the Restorative Justice Project of the Midcoast. She resides in Bath.
Berman & Simmons congratulates and thanks Jeffrey Rosenblatt for his 30 years of dedicated service to the firm and its clients advancing the cause of civil justice. Jeff retired from the law firm on February 8, 2011.
Skiers hurt in derailment at Sugarloaf hire Berman & Simmons. For complete story go to Portland Press Article 01/12/2011.
Berman & Simmons will have five attorneys presenting at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Maine State Bar Association to be held in South Portland on January 20 and 21.
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Bill Robitzek and Dan Kagan will be speaking on fibromyalgia and other disfavored diagnoses.
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Jodi Nofsinger will be part of the panel discussion for the women’s law section.
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Ben Gideon will be speaking on deposition practice.
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Mike Bigos will be speaking with Justice Fritzsche on minor settlements.
PRESS RELEASE - 12/07/2010
JACK H. SIMMONS NAMED "2011 CENTRAL MAINE PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATOR OF THE YEAR"
Attorney Jack H. Simmons of Berman & Simmons, PA has been named the 2011 Central Maine Personal Injury Litigator of the Year by Best Lawyers in America. Attorney Simmons was selected for this honor based on receiving the highest rankings from his peers for his abilities, professionalism, and integrity as a personal injury lawyer.
Mr. Simmons has been an active trial lawyer since his admission to the bar in 1964. He has tried hundreds of complex medical malpractice cases, various tort cases, and significant criminal cases. Mr. Simmons has been listed in The Best Lawyer in America for Litigation in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Business, and Criminal Law and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. In addition to numerous articles, he has co-authored, "Maine Tort Law" the preeminent reference guide for Maine civil litigators. He is a former member and chairperson on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence and Rules of Civil Procedure.
To identify top lawyers in each state, Best Lawyers in America conducts exhaustive, confidential surveys of leading lawyers who are asked to evaluate their professional peers.
Since 1968, Berman & Simmons attorneys have been involved in 318 cases before the
PRESS RELEASE - 9/20/2010
BERMAN & SIMMONS LAWYERS SELECTED FOR INCLUSION IN NEW ENGLAND SUPER LAWYERS
New England Super Lawyers, an exclusive listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, has selected William D. Robitzek, Julian L. Sweet, and Steven D. Silin, for their accomplishments on plaintiffs' personal injury and medical malpractice matters. Paul F. Macri was recognized for his work on appeals, and Michael T. Bigos, as a rising star.
William D. Robitzek has established a formidable reputation as a trial lawyer throughout Maine. His practice includes personal injury cases, professional malpractice, and complex litigation and reflects some of the largest verdicts in Maine. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury, Bet-the-Company and Business Litigation, and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a frequent CLE speaker on litigation-related topics and is an Adjunct Professor at University of Maine School of Law, where he teaches trial practice courses.
Julian L. Sweet specializes in complex medical malpractice cases. In 2001, he obtained the largest verdict in Maine history for a medical malpractice plaintiff of $9 million. More recently, he obtained a $7.9 million verdict in a malpractice case involving a birth injury. Mr. Sweet is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice litigation. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004 and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Steven D. Silin specializes in serious personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability claims. He has obtained some of the largest jury verdicts in Maine. He was selected as "Maine's Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2009 by Best Lawyers in America. He was chairperson of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court's Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure from 2005 through 2008. Mr. Silin has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2002, and he is a Past President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Paul F. Macri is one of the outstanding appellate practitioners in Maine. He has briefed and argued nearly 150 cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and has established important precedents for plaintiffs, on insurance coverage, and in other areas of law. In 2005, Mr. Macri was elected to the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a group whose national membership is limited to 250 lawyers, and includes only four Maine members. Mr. Macri is recognized in Best Lawyers in America and he is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Michael T. Bigos is building a reputation for successfully resolving complex and difficult personal injury cases. He is a "go-to" leader for legislative advocacy on civil justice issues and presentations involving trial work, is a Governor of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and chairs its Legislative Committee. Mr. Bigos tries cases in all of Maine counties.
PRESS RELEASE - 9/17/2010
BERMAN & SIMMONS EARNS TOP RANKINGS BY BEST LAWYERS
Berman & Simmons, Maine’s pre-eminent plaintiffs’ trial firm, has been named by US News & World Report and Best Lawyers as a national first-tier firm in the areas of personal injury litigation, medical malpractice law, product liability litigation, general commercial litigation, and white collar criminal defense.
Additionally, seven attorneys at Berman & Simmons have been individually selected for inclusion in the 2011 edition of Best Lawyers. Jack H. Simmons has been named for Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury, and Product Liability; John E. Sedgewick for Product Liability; William D. Robitzek for Bet-the Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, and Personal Injury; Julian L. Sweet for Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury; Steven Silin for Medical Malpractice and Personal Injury; Jodi L. Nofsinger for Medical Malpractice; and Paul F. Macri for Appellate Law.
Jack H. Simmons has been an active trial lawyer since his admission to the bar in 1964. He has tried numerous complex medical malpractice cases, various tort cases, and significant criminal cases. Mr. Simmons has been listed in The Best Lawyer in America for Litigation in Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Business, and Criminal and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He is a former member and chairperson on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence and Rules of Civil Procedure.
John E. Sedgewick has been the managing director at Berman & Simmons since 1988.
Mr. Sedgewick's practice focuses on cases involving his expertise regarding automobile accident reconstruction, product design and defect arguments, and construction site safety. He is a member of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
William D. Robitzek has established himself as one of Maine’s top trial lawyers. His practice spans the areas of personal injury, professional malpractice, and complex litigation. Mr. Robitzek is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Business litigation and Personal Injury litigation and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Robitzek is a frequent lecturer on the law and serves as an Adjunct Professor at University of Maine School of Law, where he teaches on the subject of trial practice.
Julian L. Sweet specializes in complex medical malpractice cases. In 2001, Mr. Sweet obtained the largest verdict in Maine history for a medical malpractice plaintiff of $9 million. More recently, he obtained a $7.9 million verdict in a malpractice case involving birth injury. He was recently recognized as one of the top 100 lawyers by New England Super Lawyers—the only plaintiff’s lawyer in Maine to receive this honor. Mr. Sweet is listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice litigation. He has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2004 and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Steven D. Silin specializes in claims involving catastrophic injury and medical malpractice, and has obtained some of the highest jury verdicts in Maine history. He was recently named "Maine's Personal Injury Litigator of the Year" for 2009 by Best Lawyers in America, where he is listed for Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice litigation. Mr. Silin has been a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2002. He is a Past President of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
Jodi L. Nofsinger specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She has successfully handled a variety of personal injury and medical malpractice cases through trial in most counties in Maine. Ms. Nofsinger has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for medical malpractice and is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She serves on the Board of Governors of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association. She has served as an Adjust Professor at the University of Maine School of Law, for Trial Advocacy.
Paul F. Macri is one of the outstanding appellate practitioners in Maine. He has briefed and argued nearly 150 cases before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court and has established important precedents for plaintiffs and on insurance coverage, among other areas of law. In 2005, Mr. Macri was unanimously elected to the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a group whose national membership is limited to 250 lawyers. He is one of only four Maine members of the Academy. Mr. Macri has also been recognized in Best Lawyers in America for appeals since that category was created in 2007, and he is AV® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
PRESS RELEASE - 8/30/2010
BERMAN & SIMMONS LAW FIRM ELEVATES MICHAEL BIGOS TO EQUITY MEMBER
Berman & Simmons is pleased to announce that attorney and Auburn resident Michael T. Bigos has recently become an equity member of the firm. Since joining the firm in 2004, Mr. Bigos has distinguished himself in successfully resolving hundreds of personal injury cases for clients throughout Maine. He is often called by lawyers outside the firm to serve as "trial counsel" in complex and difficult cases, and is known as a "go-to" leader for legislative advocacy on civil justice issues, safety policies, protecting consumers, and presentations involving trial work.
Mr. Bigos is a past Managing Editor of the University of Maine Law Review, and spent his first year as a lawyer working as a clerk for Justice Jon Levy of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. He is a Governor of the Maine Trial Lawyers Association and chairs its Legislative Committee. He is also a former Commissioner of the Maine Governmental Ethics and Elections Practices Commission. Before joining Berman & Simmons, Mr. Bigos worked in the Maine legislature, and served as Chief of Staff to Chellie Pingree (now a Member of Congress).
PRESS RELEASE - 8/16/2010
DANIEL G. KAGAN OF BERMAN & SIMMONS HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS JUSTICE ASSOCIATION AWARD
Daniel G. Kagan. Esq., governor of the American Association for Justice, has been awarded the association’s prestigious Wiedemann Wysocki National Finance Counsel Award. Attorney Kagan is one of only a few recipients nationwide selected to receive the award, which honors attorneys for their commitment to their profession and support for improving the civil justice system.
The Wiedemann Wysocki award was established in honor of Fritz Wiedemann and James Anthony Wysocki, two New Orleans-based attorneys and active American Association for Justice members who died in a plane crash while traveling to an American Association for Justice event.
Daniel G. Kagan, Esq. is a
PRESS RELEASE - 07/27/2010
BERMAN & SIMMONS EARNS TOP RANKING BY CHAMBERS & PARTNERS
Berman & Simmons, a state-wide plaintiffs’ trial firm, earned the highest of rankings in Chambers & Partners USA, a leading guide to
Six attorneys were also individually recognized by Chambers & Partners USA. Jack Simmons, ranked as a Senior Statesman, was recognized for achieving “legendary status.” William Robitzek, ranked in band 1, was described as a top-notch trial lawyer. Steven Silin, ranked in band 1, was commended for “developing strong relationships with his clients and being very good in court.” Julian Sweet, ranked in band 1, was described as being “smart, hard-working and really understanding the medicine in medical malpractice cases.” Jodi Nofsinger was praised as “fast becoming recognized as one of the best in the state.” Benjamin Gideon was recognized for attracting an ever-greater volume of work and carving out a niche in nursing home malpractice and civil rights disputes.
Rankings are based on thousands of client and lawyer interviews, with greater weight given to client interviews, conducted by Chambers’ researchers. Law firms and individual lawyers are ranked in bands 1-6, 1 being the best.
Jack H. Simmons has been an active trial lawyer since his admission to the bar in 1964. He has tried numerous complex medical malpractice cases, various tort cases, and significant criminal cases. Mr. Simmons has been listed in The Best Lawyer in
William D. Robitzek has established himself as one of
Steven D. Silin specializes in claims involving catastrophic injury and medical malpractice, and has obtained some of the highest jury verdicts in
Julian L. Sweet specializes in complex medical malpractice cases. In 2001, Mr. Sweet obtained the largest verdict in
Jodi L. Nofsinger specializes in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. She has successfully handled a variety of personal injury and medical malpractice cases through trial in most counties in
Benjamin R. Gideon represents injured persons throughout
Julian L. Sweet will be speaking on medical malpractice issues at the annual meeting of the New England Orthopedic Society in
Jodi L. Nofsinger is now serving on the Board of Directors of the Maine Civil Liberties Union.
PRESS RELEASE - 04/21/2010
April 9, 2010, York, Maine. The York County Superior Court allows a wrongful death case to proceed to a jury trial against a Sanford couple. The case involves an elderly Sanford man who died after being burned in a Sanford house fire. The lawsuit was filed by the deceased man's daughter, and she is represented by James O'Connell of Berman & Simmons, a state-wide trial law firm.
The deceased Sanford man, Joseph Albert, 77, had been suffering from rapidly declining mental health conditions. He had been staying for a few days at the home owned by Billy Groom and April Walsh. Groom and Walsh had been caring for Mr. Albert following his discharge from Goodall Hospital with doctors' instructions that he be given around-the-clock supervision. On November 22, 2008, Groom and Walsh left Mr. Albert alone and unsupervised while he smoked a cigarette on an enclosed porch heated by propane. As a result of standing too close to the propane heater, Mr. Albert's clothes caught on fire, causing him to suffer second and third-degree burns over 40% of his body. Mr. Albert died the next day due to complications from his multiple burns.
The Defendants' lawyer filed papers with the Court requesting a dismissal of the case, claiming that the Defendants owed Mr. Albert no special duties beyond those owed to an ordinary house guest. Following courtroom arguments by the lawyers, Justice Fritzsche denied the Defendants' motion and allowed the case to proceed to a jury trial. The judge found that a special duty may have been owed and breached and that it was up to a jury to decide whether Groom and Walsh assumed a special duty by agreeing to provide constant supervision of Mr. Albert.
Attorney O'Connell was pleased that the judge recognized a legal doctrine that had not yet been adopted by Maine courts. "Groom and Walsh agreed to take appropriate care of Mr. Albert after he had been diagnosed with dementia. Mr. Albert's doctors and children trusted Groom and Walsh to do a good job. They did not, and because of that Mr. Albert died. Mr. Albert's children are deeply saddened by his loss and are satisfied that the judge refused the Defendants' request to dismiss their case. Now their claim for wrongful death damages will be decided by a jury, which is what we were fighting for."
PRESS RELEASE - 03/19/2010
Maine Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) President Daniel Kagan is proud to announce that Anthony Tarricone will address the Maine Trial Lawyers Association at their annual meeting in Freeport on March 26, 2010. Tarricone, president of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (also known as the American Association of Justice (AAJ)), will speak about how dire economic times are hurting access to justice as courts across the nation and in Maine are forced to reduce their hours or even shut down. Like MTLA in Maine, the AAJ works to preserve and protect the civil justice system to ensure that citizens across the nation have equal access to the courts. MTLA works with members of the state government to protect the rights of Maine people.
Also at the meeting, Kagan will address recent developments in the civil justice system to include new levels of cooperation between MTLA and the Maine Medical Association to improve communication between doctors and lawyers. MTLA's work has resulted in further education for Maine attorneys about a new set of mandatory ethics rules in an effort to promote dignity, integrity, and the highest ethical standards of conduct, and increased efficiency of Mainecare reimbursement claims. At her 2010 State of the Judiciary Report to the Maine legislature, Chief Justice Saufley recognized the dedication of MTLA by stating, "[T]he work of Maine’s trial attorneys on behalf of injured people returns millions of dollars to Maine’s Medicaid accounts each year."
Daniel Kagan, Esq. is a partner at Berman & Simmons who specializes in serious personal injury, products liability, and nursing home malpractice cases throughout Maine. Having achieved significant verdicts for Maine victims for over twenty years, Kagan is highly regarded for his skills and dedication within the trial lawyer community. He advocates for civil justice through his years of work on the governing board of AAJ and MTLA.
PRESS RELEASE - 02/25/2010
Berman & Simmons is pleased to introduce three new blogs. Visit the blogs and sign up to receive automatic email updates:
Keep current with the decisions of Maine’s highest court with contemporaneous, concise case summaries and insightful editorial commentary by Paul Macri, a specialist in Appellate Law who was elected a Fellow in the prestigious A