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August, 2012
- SHAREHOLDER ALLISON HUNNITCUT HAUSER WILL BE A PANEL SPEAKER AT THE 2012 WORKERS’ COMPENSATION EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCE
On Tuesday, August 21, 2012, Allison Hunnicutt Hauser, Esquire of Marks Gray, P.A., will speak on a panel at the 67th Annual Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference in Orlando at the Orlando World Center Marriott in a breakout session for Attorneys. Ms. Hauser will present on the panel and discuss “Has Workers’ Compensation Become an ‘Unreasonable’ Alternative to Tort Litigation,” along with moderator Christopher J. Smith of Tampa, Dawn R. Traverso of Aventura, Mark L. Zientz of Miami, Paul Anderson of Tallahassee and Kelli B. Hastings of Orlando. Ms. Hauser and Ms. Traverso will present on behalf of the Employer and Carrier, while Mr. Zientz, Mr. Anderson and Ms. Hastings will represent the interests of Employees with regard to this topic.
July, 2012
- SHAREHOLDER GISELLE CARSON FEATURED IN THE JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL
Immigration and Business Attorney Giselle Carson’s article on ICE inspections was published in the June 20, 2012 edition of the Jacksonville Business Journal. Ms. Carson’s article provides much needed insight to businesses on how to avoid costly immigration enforcement problems. To read the entire article, click here
- SHAREHOLDER GISELLE CARSON FEATURED IN THE NORTH FLORIDA CHAPTER’S ASSOCIATION OF CORPORATE COUNSEL NEWSLETTER
Immigration and Business Attorney Giselle Carson was featured in the Q2 edition of the North Florida Chapter’s ACC newsletter. Ms. Carson’s article titled, Hiring and Retaining Global Talent — The ABC’s of Employment-Based Immigration for In-House Counsel is featured on page six. To view the newsletter, click here
- SHAREHOLDERS MARIANNE LLOYD AHO AND JEPTHA ‘JEP’ BARBOUR NAMED TO FLORIDA TREND’S LEGAL ELITE LIST
Attorneys Marianne Aho and Jep Barbour have been named to the Florida Trend magazine’s 2012 Legal Elite. This is their fifth time to appear on the list. Ms. Aho and Mr. Barbour were included under the area of Civil Trial. The list represents the top 2% of attorneys in the state of Florida as judged by their peers.
June, 2012
- SHAREHOLDER SUSAN S. ERDELYI SPEAKING AT FACT CONFERENCE
Attorney Susan S. Erdelyi will be speaking at the 15th Annual Risk Management Conference held at the Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort in Destin, Florida on August 16 -17. Susan will be speaking on Social Media Exposures & Policies. The conference is the premier risk management forum specializing in the unique exposures faced by FACT members. Ms. Erdelyi practices is focused in the areas of employment and labor law, media law, appellate and government liability.
- TWELVE MARKS GRAY ATTORNEYS NAMED TO 2012 FLORIDA SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS LIST
Nine attorneys from Marks Gray, P.A. were named to the Florida Super Lawyers list for 2012. In addition, three of the firm’s attorneys were named to Super Lawyer Florida Rising Stars.
The Marks Gray attorneys on the Florida Super Lawyers list include the following, listed with their cited practice areas: Marianne L. Aho, Personal Injury Defense: General; Jeptha F. Barbour, Personal Injury Defense: General;William R. Corley, Personal Injury Defense: Products; John R. Crawford, Estate Planning & Probate; Susan S. Erdelyi, Employment & Labor; Allison H. Hauser, Workers’ Compensation; Frederick H. Kent, III, Real Estate; Nicholas V. Pulignano, Business Litigation; and Gerald W. Weedon, Business Litigation. Those named to the Rising stars list include Giselle Carson, Immigration;Michael D. Kendall, Civil Litigation Defense; and Meagan Logan, Civil Litigation Defense.
Firm President, Gerald W. Weedon noted, ‘I am proud of the number of Marks Gray attorneys named to the 2012 Florida Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.’ He continues, ‘ I believe it’s a testament to the dedicated and successful group of people we have in this firm’. Mr. Weedon has been named consecutively to Florida Super Lawyers list since 2005.
- SHAREHOLDER, JEPTHA F. BARBOUR NAMED AS ONE OF 75 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN JACKSONVILLE HEALTHCARE
Jacksonville based, 904 magazine announced Marks Gray attorney, Jep F. Barbour as one of 75 most influential people in Jacksonville Healthcare. 75 professionals were chosen from over 150 applicants. The criterion is to have contributed to the healthcare industry in Jacksonville and Northeast Florida. Mr. Barbour was cited as one of the top civil litigators around. His primary areas of legal focus are products liability, professional liability, commercial litigation and disability.
May, 2012
- IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY AND SHAREHOLDER, GISELLE CARSON, FEATURED IN JACKSONVILLE BUSINESS JOURNAL
In support of Governor Rick Scott’s initiative to attract investors to Florida, Jacksonville city and business leaders are embarking on a pilot program to attract international economic investment. Many of the foreign investors will be granted with EB-5 immigrant investor visas. Ms. Carson provided details on the visa and its advantages for foreign investors, in addition thee are real risks to for the foreign investor. Ms. Carson is a frequent speaker on immigration issues and is requested by media to provide insight to the public on the current immigration issues affecting the country, Florida and Jacksonville.
April, 2012
- SHAREHOLDER’S JEPTHA F. BARBOUR AND GERALD W. WEEDON NAMED BEST LAWYERS 2012
Jeptha ‘Jep’ Barbour and Gerald ‘Jerry’ Weedon were noted in the April 2012 edition of Jacksonville Magazine’s Best Lawyers 2012. Mr. Barbour is listed under Medical Malpractice – Defendant, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. Mr. Weedon’s practice areas are Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. The list comes from the current edition of Best Lawyers in America. Inclusion on the Best Lawyers list is taken almost entirely from peer review.
March, 2012
- SHAREHOLDER GISELLE CARSON PUBLISHES ANOTHER ARTICLE IN FLORIDA BAR JOURNAL
Immigration and business attorney, Giselle Carson published an article on international business in the Spring edition of the International Law Quarterly, published by the Florida Bar Journal. Ms. Carson examines the positive impact of expanding the U.S. economy and job growth with the use of E-Visa’s. Please click here to read the entire article.
January, 2012
- MARKS GRAY AND FIVE FLORIDA LAW FIRMS FORM FLORIDA LAW ALLIANCE
Marks Gray are co-founders of the The Florida Law Alliance, a group of independent law firms who collectively have 11 offices throughout Florida. The member firms are better able to serve the interest s of its clients because of their statewide geographical reach, cumulative expertise in both tort and insurance law, as well as the knowledge and experience within the local community and credibility before courts and other decision-making bodies. For more information about the Alliance and its member firms visit,www.FloridaLawAlliance.com
- MARKS GRAY SPONSORS THE 2011 CHILDREN’S FASHION SHOW RECEPTION, PRODUCED BY THE WOMEN’S BOARD OF WOLFSON’S CHILDRENS HOSPITAL
Marks Gray was acknowledged by Karen Wolfson and the Fashion Show Chairs for their generosity in supporting the 35th Anniversary of Wolfson’s Children Hospital Art & Antiques Show Deco & Diamonds. The annual show benefits the Larry J. Freeman Behavioral Center which provides counseling and support for children facing surgery and illness. Marks Gray sponsored the Children’s Fashion Show reception, which features Wolfson’s Children Hospital patients. Shareholder, Giselle Carson escorted one of the special children at the reception. The Fashion Show reception contributed about $93,500 to the hospital through the Antiques Show.
November, 2011
- GISELLE CARSON ATTENDS JAX CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LEADERSHIP TRIP
Marks Gray Shareholder and Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce’s General Counsel Giselle Carson attended the Jacksonville’s 31st Annual Leadership Trip to Houston, TX. An active member of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Carson was featured on two minute video speaking about the revitalization of Jacksonville. See see the entire video, please visit click here
- SHAREHOLDER, GISELLE CARSON PUBLISHES ARTICLE IN FLORIDA BAR JOURNAL
Attorney Giselle Carson published Part I of an article on labor and employment titled, ‘Raising Arizona Law in Florida?’ in the November. To read the complete article, please click here
September, 2011
- JEPTHA F. BARBOUR AND GERALD W. WEEDON SELECTED AS BEST LAWYERS® IN AMERICA FOR 2012
Jeptha “Jep” F. Barbour was recognized in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice – Defendants, Personal Litigation and Products Liability Litigation. Mr. Barbour has been listed in Best Lawyers consecutively since 2006. Gerald “Jerry” Weedon was selected in Commercial Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. This is Mr. Weedon’s second consecutive year being listed in the guide.
Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Selection is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey (comprising of more than 3.9 million confidential evaluations by fellow top attorneys) and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor.
- ATTORNEY L. JOHNSON SARBER, III NAMED PRESIDENT OF FLORIDA DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCIATION
Marks Gray Shareholder, L. Johnson Sarber, III was elected to serve as President of the FDLA. Started in 1967, the FDLA the FDLA was formed to represent the interest of defense lawyers in private practice, public agencies and private corporations. Over 1,000 members make up the group that prides itself in professional and personal development.
Mr. Sarber’s practice focuses on civil trial defense, primarily in the areas of transportation law (including aviation, automobile, truck and common carrier accidents), premises liability, municipal liability and products liability.
August, 2011
— ATTORNEY MICHAEL D. McCOY ELECTED TO FLORIDA DEFENSE LAWYERS ASSOCATION.
Marks Gray is proud to announce that attorney Michael McCoy was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA). The FDLA represents the interests of lawyers in private practice whose practice is primarily the defense of civil matters. Established in 1967, their focus is ‘to promote a level playing field in civil litigation and foster our members’ growth as professionals’. Mr. McCoy is also President of the Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel (JADC)
Michael McCoy’s practice focuses primarily on civil trial defense in the areas of medical malpractice, commercial & construction litigation, automobile personal injury, medical liability, professional liability, and products liability. Mr. McCoy also represents health care professionals in matters before the Florida Department of Health.
— MARKS GRAY ATTORNEY, ALLISON H. HAUSER TO SPEAK AT FORUM: HIPPA GOES HITECH: Are you ready? Compliance with healthcare’s most important regulations.
Tuesday, August 30,Ms. Allison Hunnicutt Hauser will speak on the significance of current HIPAA, HITECH, and HIE regulations impact on businesses today and tomorrow at Brooks Rehabilitation. Ms. Hauser, along with other industry panelists, will educate business and business partners on regulations and provide tools to embrace, comply with and stay ahead of HIPAA, HITECH and HIE regulations. For more information on the event, click here
Allison Hunnicutt Hauser focuses her practice in the areas of workers’ compensation and employment law. Ms. Hauser aggressively defends employers and carriers throughout the state and at the appellate level. Ms. Hauser also advises local and national self and market-insured employers, their carriers and third party servicing agents regarding ADA, FMLA, and FLSA issues, third party liens, and medical management of cases.
— MARKS GRAY SPONSORS ABC’S 2011 EXCELLENCE IN CONSTRUCTION SUPER SUPPLIER AWARD
Giselle Carson and Allison H. Hauser recently attended the Associated Builders and Contractors annual Excellence in Construction Awards Ceremony. The annual awards dinner recognizes the best in builders and contractors on Florida’s First Coast. This year, Marks Gray sponsored the Super Supplier award which is given to the ABC member that has supplied materials for most award winning projects. This years winning trophy was presented by Ms. Carson to Florida Rock’s Albert Hon. Marks Gray was honored to be a sponsor of ABC and their members who provide high-quality, cost-effective and safe construction services throughout the First Coast.
July 2011
— ATTORNEY MICHAEL D. KENDALL NAMED TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF JACKSONVILLE
Marks Gray is proud to announce Michael D. Kendall has been invited to join the Board of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville. Mr. Kendall has been involved with Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville for four years.
“I am deeply honored to be appointed to the Board of Director’s of such a remarkable charity. I hope to make a significant contribution to the organization, its families and the Chapter programs. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville provides children and families with support and programs that strengthen families during their most difficult and challenging times.”
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville strives to improve the lives of critically ill, chronically ill and seriously injured children and their families. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville strives to be a part of the solution in improving the lives of children and their families by providing programs that strengthen families.
— ATTORNEY GISELLE CARSON HOSTS PANEL DISCUSSION AT IMMIGRATION LAW CONFERENCE
Marks Gray shareholder, Giselle Carson, was a Discussion Leader at the 2011 AILA’s Annual Conference on Immigration Law. The conference, held in San Diego, focuses on the many complex and, sometimes, confusing areas of immigration law. The conference offered over 115 substantive learning session’s attendees could choose from.
Ms. Carson led the panel discussion, Green Cards Part I: Adjustment of Status. The panel explained the basic concepts regarding a foreign national’s eligibility to apply for lawful permanent residence through adjustment of status, which may be available to qualified persons who are physically present in the United States. The following topics were discussed; What is a ‘priority date’ and how does it attach? Chargeability, How to read the Visa Bulletin, Adjustment Status/When Can you File? Look out for §245 (i) and ancillary benefits and travel restrictions.
Giselle Carson’s area of practice is focused primarily in the areas of U.S. and global immigration and business. She also practices in civil litigation, wills and estate planning. She is fluent in both Spanish and French. Ms. Carson helps clients navigate complex immigration and business issues, including employment of foreign nationals and compliance with employment verification. For more information on Giselle Carson, click here
—MARKS GRAY ATTORNEYS SELECTED AS STATE’S TOP LAWYERS BY FLORIDA TREND MAGAZINE
Marianne Lloyd Aho and Jeptha F. Barbour, shareholders at Marks Gray, P.A., have been named in 2011 Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite™. This is Ms. Aho and Mr. Barbour’s fourth year included in this list of esteemed attorneys chosen by their colleagues. Ms. Aho and Mr. Barbour are listed in the Civil Trial category.
“Having Ms. Aho and Mr. Barbour, once again, named to Florida’s Legal Elite,is a great honor,” said firm President, Gerald Weedon. “We are appreciative that they have earned this acknowledgement from their peers.”
The list represents approximately 2% of the more than 66,000 active Florida Bar members practicing in Florida.. ”Florida Trend is a leader in providing substantive rankings of exceptional attorneys as determined by peers. The Legal Elite peer review ranking provides highly reliable information on leading lawyers throughout Florida,” notes Florida Bar President, Scott Hawkins.
June 2011
— FOURTEEN MARKS GRAY ATTORNEYS HAVE BEEN NAMED IN
2011 FLORIDA SUPER LAWYERS AND RISING STARS LISTINGS.
Marks Gray is proud to announce that attorneys Marianne Aho, Jeptha Barbour,William Corley, John Crawford, Susan Erdelyi, Allison H. Hauser, Frederick Kent, III, Nicholas Pulignano, Jr., and Gerald Weedon, have each been named by Florida Super Lawyers® magazine as one of the top attorneys in Florida. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are designated as Super Lawyers. Additionally, five Marks Gray attorneys, Michael Bittner, Giselle Carson,Michael Kendall, Meagan Logan, and Michael McCoy, were named to the magazine’s Rising Stars list for 2011.
Each year, Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluations of candidates, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good standing and disciplinary check.
“To have more than half of Marks Gray’s attorneys named to the 2011 Florida Super Lawyers or Rising Stars lists is tremendous,” said firm President, Jerry Weedon. “I believe it is a testament to the dedicated and successful group of people we have working here.” Mr. Weedon has been consecutively named in the Florida Super Lawyers list since 2005.
March 2011
— Marianne Aho, a Shareholder at Marks Gray, was recently named Vice-Chair of The Florida Bar’s 4A Grievance Committee. The committee investigates complaints against attorneys and determines whether probable cause exists for alleged bar rule violations warranting trial or other disposition. The Grievance Committee procedure is a crucial part of regulating attorneys by the Florida Bar.
Ms. Aho has been a member of the Florida Bar since 1990.
— Marks Gray Shareholders Jep Barbour and Ed Birk recently participated in a civil hearing at the First Coastal School of Law, presided over by U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan. Our attorneys served as local counsel for the defendants in a civil hearing on cross motions for summary judgment in U.S. vs Franck’s Lab Inc. , an enforcement action against our client Franck’s by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Marks Gray attorneys worked with Judge Corrigan and his staff to ensure the success of this off-site oral argument , which Judge Corrigan described as the first time the U.S. District Court has traveled to a remote location for a court session. It was a learning experience for all involved and provided a unique opportunity to observe and participate in a real case outside of the courthouse setting. The hearing was followed by a question and answer session for law students , which was sponsored by the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
January 2011
— Marks Gray added four of Northeast Florida’s most well-respected trial attorneys in the areas of medical malpractice, worker’s compensation, and general liability defense. They are: Robert C. Gobelman, Mary Bland Love, Michael D. Kendall, andRonald S. Wasilenko. “We are very pleased to start the New Year with our new attorneys,” said Gerald W. Weedon, president of the firm. “Bob Gobelman, Mike Kendall, Mary Bland Love, and Ron Wasilenko are indisputably top-notch attorneys. We have known them for many years and are honored that they have joined our firm.”
— Marks Gray announces that Michael D. McCoy became a shareholder with the firm on January 1, 2011. Mr. McCoy was admitted to the practice of law in 2001 and has been an associate with Marks Gray since 2004. His practice focuses primarily on civil and commercial litigation. He is a graduate of the University of Florida (B.A. and J.D., both with honors). He is president of the Catholic Lawyers Guild, and the incoming president of the Jacksonville Association of Defense Counsel.
November 2010
— William M. Corley, an attorney at Marks Gray, P.A. has been elected as an Associate member to the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Founded in the late 1950’s, the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), was started by a small group of young lawyers whose main goal was to preserve the civil jury trial, “Justice by the People”. The purpose of this Association is to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards in the area of trial advocacy so that litigants may receive a more effective representation and the general public be benefited by more efficient administration of justice.
There are a multitude of strict requirements listed by ABOTA to become an Associate member. Among them are being nominated by a current ABOTA member, having tried at least twenty (20) civil jury trials to a jury verdict as lead counsel, and acquiring enough points from the Association’s trial equivalency provisions. Mr. Corley has met all the requirements of the Association and has been granted an Associate position.
Mr. Corley joined Marks Gray in 1982, focusing his practice on the areas of civil litigation specializing in drugs and medical devices, mass tort litigation, products liability, medical malpractice and automobile personal injury.
September 2010
— In honor of Hispanic Heritage month, Marks Gray shareholder Giselle Carson was invited by the Jacksonville Jaguars to be on the field during the coin toss at the opening of the September 26th game versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
August 2010
— Marks Gray shareholder Marianne L. Aho has been named Co-chair of the Judicial Relations Committee of the Jacksonville Bar.
— Four Marks Gray shareholders, Jeptha F. Barbour, William M. Corley, Victor M. Halbach and Gerald W. Weedon, were recently selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® 2011. Mr. Barbour was recognized in the medical malpractice, personal injury litigation, and products liability litigation categories; Mr. Corley in the personal injury litigation category; Mr. Halbach in the personal injury litigation and products liability litigation categories; and Mr. Weedon in the commercial litigation category.
— At the 65th Annual Florida Workers’ Compensation Institute Conference which was held August 15-18, 2010 at the Orlando World Center Marriott, Allison Hunnicutt Hauser, a Marks Gray shareholder, was elected to the Executive Council of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar. Her term commences in July of 2011. The purpose of the Workers’ Compensation Section of The Florida Bar is to provide an organization within The Florida Bar open to all members in good standing who have a common interest in workers’ compensation law. The Section provides a forum for discussion and exchange of ideas leading to the improvement of individual trial abilities in workers’ compensation cases. Ms. Hauser will also serve as the President of the E. Robert Williams American Inn of Court this year.
July 2010
— Allison H. Hauser, a shareholder at Marks Gray, was awarded a Pro Bono Honor Roll Bronze Award by the Supreme Court of Florida, the Florida Bar, the Florida Pro Bono Coordinators Association and Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. The award was presented in recognition of exceptional pro bono legal services offered to the poor and low income communities in Jacksonville.
— Jeptha F. Barbour and Marianne Lloyd Aho, shareholders at Marks Gray, appeared among a select group of Florida attorneys in the Florida Trend Magazine’s2010 Florida Legal Elite. Both Mr. Barbour and Ms. Aho were listed in the Civil Trial Category. The Florida Legal Elite represents less than 2% of the practicing Florida Bar members in Florida. Attorneys are chosen by their peers for inclusion on this list.
June 2010
— Marks Gray is proud to announce that eight of the firms attorneys, Victor M. Halbach Jr., Gerald W. Weedon, Nicholas V. Pulignano, Jr., Jeptha F. Barbour,William M. Corley, Allison H. Hauser, Susan S. Erdelyi and Marianne L. Aho were recently named to the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers list. Only 5% of the lawyers in the state are named to the Super Lawyers list. Additionally, four Marks Gray attorneys,Giselle Carson, Paul E. Bueker, Stella J. Lane and Meagan L. Logan were named to the magazine’s Rising Starts list.
— Gerald W. Weedon, president and shareholder of Marks Gray, was presented with the Patriotic Employer award by the Department of Defense’s National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve. Mr. Weedon was nominated for the award by Stella J. Lane, associate of Marks Gray and former member of the United States Navy. Ms. Lane is currently a member of the U.S. Navy Reserve. The award recognizes managers, supervisors and employers that show support of their employees’ participation in the U.S. National Guard and Reserve through employment practices and policies.
— Marks Gray recently celebrated the impressive career of the firm’s longest standing member, James C. Rinaman, Jr. On June 2, 2010, Mr. Rinaman marked 50 years of service to the firm since joining the practice in 1960. During his half-century of practice to date, Mr. Rinaman has distinguished himself as an advocate, community leader, military officer, and servant of the bar.
May 2010
— Edward L. Birk was quoted in an article in the May 24th edition of the Florida Times-Union. The article reported the firing of a Live Oak assistant district attorney after she refused to stop speaking to political groups. The reporter sought out the opinion of Mr. Birk on the First Amendment and labor law implications of the attorney’s dismissal.
— Allison H. Hauser, a shareholder at Marks Gray, was recently appointed to the Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Committee of the Florida Bar for the 2011 term. Ms. Hauser has served on this committee for 10 years and has held several positions during that time, including member at large, Vice Chair, Chair and various other committee chairmanships.
— Marks Gray shareholder, Edward L. Birk, was appointed to Executive Committee of the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys (ADTA). Marks Gray has a proud tradition with this association. Four of the ADTA’s presidents have been Marks Gray shareholders.
April 2010
— On April 14, 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed House Bill 689 which will raise the level of proof for plaintiffs to win some slip-and-fall lawsuits against Florida businesses. Click here to read more.
March 2010
— Marianne Lloyd Aho, a Marks Gray shareholder, is pleased to announce her mediation practice as a Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. With the recent increase in foreclosures that require mediation, the firm is pleased to have an additional attorney who is qualified to assist in these matters. Ms. Aho is a civil litigator who has focused her practice on liability defense and commercial litigation work for over nineteen years. James C. Rinaman, Jr., Victor M. Halbach, Jr. and Stephen B. Gallagher are also certified circuit civil mediators at Marks Gray.
— Marks Gray shareholder Marianne Lloyd Aho along with Scott Yount of the Tampa firm Garrison, Yount, Forte & Mulcahy, LLC recently obtained summary judgment in favor of their client, City of Daytona Beach, in three lawsuits brought by or on behalf of three city employees who were involved in a catastrophic explosion at a waste water treatment facility. Click here to read more.
— Shareholders Gerald W. Weedon and Nicholas V. Pulignano, Jr. were both listed in the 2010 Super Lawyers Corporate Counsel edition under Business Litigation. Marks Gray has a robust business and corporate law practice group that is spearheaded by Mr. Weedon and Mr. Pulignano.
February 2010
— Marks Gray served as counsel to Total Military Management (“TMM”) in a recent transaction with Eureka Growth Capital (“Eureka”), a Philadelphia based private equity firm which became a partner with management in the recapitalization of TMM, a Jacksonville based company focused on the complete management of U.S. military domestic and international household relocations.
Founded in 2003 by CEO Matt Connell and headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, TMM works with carriers, agents and other service providers to manage the complexities of procuring military moves, military base transportation procedures, and the systems put in place by the Department of Defense (“DOD”) for authorization to conduct business with military base transportation offices. Eureka provides capital and counsel in partnership with management teams of businesses with $10 million to $75 million in revenue.
For more information, click here.
— Victor M. Halbach, Jr. and L. Johnny Sarber, III, both shareholders at Marks Gray, obtained defense verdict on all counts in a products liability case against Illinois Tool Works. The plaintiff’s legal theories were negligence and strict liability. The plaintiff, a 37-year-old construction worker, was using an ITW Positive Placement Nailer when a nail ricocheted and struck his right eye resulting in permanent blindness. Based upon biomechanical testimony and other evidence, the defense was able to prove that the plaintiff could not have been wearing the safety glasses supplied by ITW with its product due to the tumbling nature of a ricocheted nail coupled with the kind of injury received in the eye.
January 2010
— Marks Gray Shareholder, Giselle Carson, authored a chapter, “Strategies for Worksite Enforcement Compliance”, in a book titled, Counseling Clients on Worksite Enforcement published by Aspatore Books, a Thomson Reuters business. The book covers various aspects of government investigations and workplace enforcement as well as how businesses and managers can implement effective compliance programs to avoid and respond to worksite enforcement.Click here to read more.
— Marks Gray recently encountered a unique opportunity to assist a non-profit organization in Haiti recover from the aftermath of that country’s earthquakes. Dorothy Pearce, a long-term employee of Marks Gray, left the firm in 2003 to work in an orphanage in Haiti and now runs her own orphanage, “Faith-Hope-Love Infant Rescue.” This non-profit organization relies solely on donations to cover expenses and operational needs. After spreading the word of Ms. Pearce’s need to firm shareholders and employees, a collection of individual employee and firm donations topped $5,130, including a 50% firm donation match. Click here to read more about this firm donation.
— Giselle Carson has been asked to serve as General Counsel of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and a member of its Executive Committee for 2010. The General Counsel is a volunteer position. Ms. Carson serves as a member of the Board and advises the Board on legal matters.
Marks Gray was selected as one of Jacksonville Magazine’s 2010 Companies that Care. The firm accepted the award at a luncheon on January 12th at the Omni Hotel in downtown Jacksonville. Click here to read more about our community involvement.
August 2009
— L. Johnson (“Johnny”) Sarber, III, a shareholder with Marks Gray, P.A. in Jacksonville, has been elected to the position of Secretary/Treasurer at the annual business meeting of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association (FDLA), held earlier this month at the FDLA Annual Meeting in Doral, Florida. Click here to read more.
Jeptha (“Jep”) F. Barbour, a shareholder with Marks Gray, P.A., has been named the 2011 International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy Director.Click here to read more.
— Marks Gray, P.A. is proud to announce that four if its attorneys have been named to the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers®. James C. Rinaman, Jr., Victor M. Halbach, Jr., William M. Corley and Jeptha F. Barbour were all listed from Marks Gray.
Click here to read more.
July 2009
— Giselle Carson, a shareholder at Marks Gray, has been selected by the Jacksonville Business Journal to receive its Women of Influence Award at a luncheon at the Southpoint Marriott on August 27, 2009.
Marks Gray has been selected to receive the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Diversity Award at a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront on August 13.
— Allison Hunnicutt Hauser, a shareholder at Marks Gray, appeared as one of only six attorneys in Florida on the Florida Trend Magazine’s 2009 Florida Legal Elite list in the Workers’ Compensation category. In addition, Jeptha F. Barbour and Gerald W. Weedon were also named to the list in their respective categories: Mr. Barbour under Civil Trial and Mr. Weedon under Business Law. Click here to read more.
Awards
ABA-EPA Climate Challenge Partner: Our commitment to “going green”
Marks Gray was awarded the title “Law Office Climate Challenge Partner” through the American Bar Association’s Section of Environment, Energy and Resources partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge is intended to promote “green” practices in law offices through the implementation of specific environmental initiatives. Over 100 law offices have qualified to participate as ABA-EPA Law Office Climate Challenge Partners or Leaders.
Women of Influence
Shareholder Giselle Carson was recently awarded the Jacksonville Business Journal’s Woman of Influence award showcasing her current involvement in the community and success in her immigration law practice at Marks Gray.
Diversity Award
Our firm was honored as Legal Provider in the 2009 Jacksonville Business Journal’s Diversity Awards ceremony. This award highlighted the assistance we provide various minority-owned businesses in the Jacksonville area, including TTV Architects, the business that nominated us for the Diversity Award. In addition to providing legal services for minority-owned businesses, our attorneys are also involved in multicultural organizations around the city; including Giselle Carson who is president of the First Coast Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“AV” Rating by Martindale-Hubbell
Over half of the attorneys at our firm have been given an “AV” rating from their peers; which means they were deemed to have very high professional ethics and pre-eminent legal ability. Only lawyers with the highest ethical standards and exceptional qualifications receive a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating.
Florida Super Lawyers
Marks Gray is proud to announce that eight of the firms attorneys, Victor M. Halbach Jr., Gerald W. Weedon, Nicholas V. Pulignano, Jr., Jeptha F. Barbour, William M. Corley, Allison H. Hauser, Susan S. Erdelyi and Marianne L. Aho were recently named to the 2010 Florida Super Lawyers list. Only 5% of the lawyers in the state are named to the Super Lawyers list. Additionally, four Marks Gray attorneys, Giselle Carson, Paul E. Bueker, Stella J. Lane and Meagan L. Logan were named to the magazine’s Rising Starts list. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers and our firm is proud to have over one quarter of its attorneys on the list. Allison H. Hauser will also be listed in the Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition under Workers’ Compensation.
2010 Best Lawyers®
Four of our attorneys were named to the 2010 edition of Best Lawyers®:
Jim Rinaman has been listed in Best Lawyers® for over 20 years, with his first appearance on the list in 1989.
2010 Florida Trend Magazine’s Florida Legal Elite
Jeptha F. Barbour and Marianne Lloyd Aho, shareholders at Marks Gray, appeared among a select group of Florida attorneys in the Florida Trend Magazine’s 2010 Florida Legal Elite. Both Mr. Barbour and Ms. Aho were listed in the Civil Trial Category. The Florida Legal Elite represents less than 2% of the practicing Florida Bar members in Florida. Attorneys are chosen by their peers for inclusion on this list.
Jacksonville’s Healthiest 100
Marks Gray received the bronze level award for worksite wellness during the City’s 2009 inaugural fitness and well-being conference at the University of North Florida. Attorneys and staff at Marks Gray participate at many levels of physical activity.Giselle Carson, a shareholder at the firm, is a spirited triathlete and avid cyclist. She has competed in a number of triathlons and has cycled all over the globe. Fred Kentand Susan Erdelyi, both shareholders at the firm, are enthusiastic runners. Attorneys and staff members alike participate in a number of local physical activities such as the Ortega River Run, the Gate River Run and the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure and attend in-house nutrition and wellness seminars sponsored by the firm.