Press Releases
Simek Published in OACTA Quarterly
October 13, 2010
Sutter O'Connell congratulates Associate Doug Simek, who was published in the most recent Ohio Association of Civil Trial Attorneys Quarterly magazine.
Please follow the link below to Simek's article.
Farchione Appointed Co-Chairperson
November 08, 2007
Joe Farchione was appointed Co-Chairperson for the CNA HealthPro Birth Trauma Panel at its recent meeting in Chicago.
After a nationwide search in 2003, Joe was selected by CNA HealthPro to be one of eight founding members of its National Birth Trauma Panel. Joe's responsibilities with CNA range from monitoring counsel to lead trial counsel in multiple states.
Ohio Supreme Court Orders New Trial in Hollins Matter
The Ohio Supreme Court issued an opinion agreeing with the trial court that a new trial was warranted for a $30m verdict due to the conduct of plaintiffs' counsel, Geoffrey Fieger.
In Hollins v. Mt. Sinai Med. Ctr., Joe Farchione represented the obstetrician. The allegations dated back to 1987 and involved an alleged failure to timely deliver the child resulting in permanent physical and mental disabilities. Fieger, who was lead trial counsel for the plaintiffs, has a reputation for theatrics in the courtroom but in this trial he took it to a new level. Writing for the majority, Justice O'Donnell, referencing the trial judge's opinion, referred to Fieger's conduct as "discourteous" and "theatrical" and included "constant interruptions." He referenced Fieger's intentional and repeated mischaracterization of testimony which was done to mislead the jury. Of note, the sole dissenter, while recommending remittitur as the remedy, went on to state that if the case is tried again, "it would be wise for the trial judge to deny any motion for admission pro hac vice filed on behalf of Mr. Fieger."
Click here to view the entire opinion.
Adams and Sherwin Pass Ohio Bar Examination
May 04, 2007
Sutter O'Connell would like to congratulate new Associates Stephanie Adams and Ari Sherwin for passing the February 2007 Ohio Bar Examination.
Three Defense Verdicts for Automobile Warranty Division
April 10, 2007
Sutter O'Connell is pleased to congratulate several of its Associates in the Products Liability Practice Group, Lemon Law/Automobile Warranty Division, for obtaining three defense verdicts in 2007, all before the month of April. Marco Bocciarelli and Adam Martin successfully tried the case of Leann Kapp v. DaimlerChrysler Corporation in February and obtained a defense verdict on behalf of DaimlerChrysler Company, LLC in Licking County, Ohio. The following week, Stuart Baker and John Leach obtained the same great result in Greene County, Ohio in the case of Tiesha Pollard v. DaimlerChrysler Corporation. Most recently, Marc Amos and John Leach obtained a defense verdict in the case of Brian Nelson v. DaimlerChrysler Corporation in Allen County, Ohio.
Additional information concerning these trials, including case summaries and case statistics, may be obtained from the firm's website under "Recent Trials". Christina J. Marshall is the head of the firm's Lemon Law/Automobile Warranty Division.
Larry Sutter, Joseph Farchione and John Jackson Selected as Ohio Super Lawyers
January 08, 2007
Sutter O'Connell would like to congratulate Shareholders Larry Sutter, Joe Farchione and John Jackson for being named to the Ohio Super Lawyers list for 2007.
Appeals Court Reduces Plaintiff Verdict by $99.25 Million
December 27, 2006
In November of 2004, Larry Sutter and Joy Day tried a three week trial in state court in Nashville, Tennessee for DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DCC). The litigation arose from a car accident in 2001 that resulted in the death of an 8 month old infant. Suit was filed by Jim Butler, George Fryhoffer and Leigh Martin May of the Butler, Wooten firm in Atlanta, Georgia. The focus of the litigation was the yielding seat back design of the 1998 Dodge Caravan in which the child had been a passenger.
After more than three weeks of trial, that was riddled with error from Plaintiffs' counsel, the jury rendered a verdict for the Plaintiffs and against DCC in the amount of $3.75 million in compensatory damages and $98 million in punitive damages. Post-trial motions resulted in a remittitur of the punitive award to $20 million, but nonetheless DCC promptly appealed.
On appeal, the Court reversed the punitive damage award and the $1.25 million dollar compensatory award for negligent infliction of emotional distress. This reduced the overall verdict against DCC to $2.5 million. In addition to a tremendously reduced award, the Court's opinion will also help defendants in future products liability cases on such important issues as the admissibility and use of other similar incidences and the proof requirements for punitive damages and a negligent infliction of emotional distress claim.
Larry Sutter Selected as Mid South Super Lawyer
December 11, 2006
Sutter O'Connell would like to congratulate Lawrence A. Sutter for being selected as a Super Lawyer in 2006.
Christina Marshall and James Popson Selected as Ohio Rising Stars
July 10, 2006
Sutter O'Connell would like to congratulate Christina J. Marshall and James M. Popson for being selected as Rising Stars in 2006.
Larry Sutter and John Jackson Selected as Ohio Super Lawyers
January 09, 2006
Sutter O'Connell would like to congratulate Shareholders John V. Jackson, II and Lawrence A. Sutter for being selected as "Super Lawyers" in 2006.
Larry Sutter Named As Outstanding Alumnus By The University Of Akron School Of Law
February 08, 2005
Larry Sutter, managing Shareholder of Sutter, O'Connell, Mannion and Farchione, has been named as an honoree of the Annual Outstanding Alumni Award by The University of Akron.
School of Law Alumni Association. The Award will be conferred at the Law School Alumni Annual Dinner, to be held at the University on April 28, 2005.
University Of Akron Mock Trial Team Wins ATLA National Mock Trial Tournament
March 15, 2004
The 2004 ATLA National Mock Trial Tournament concluded on Sunday, March 14, in Palm Beach, Florida and was won by the team from The University of Akron School of Law.
The team of Stuart Baker and Jessica Morrison swept through ten consecutive victories in regional and national rounds before defeating Drake University School of Law in the finals, earning the University of Akron its first ATLA National Championship.
The team was coached by Larry Sutter of Sutter, O'Connell, Mannion & Farchione Co. L.P.A., assisted by David Toepfer, an assistant Trumbull County, Ohio prosecutor. National Champion Stuart Baker is a third year law student who will be joining the Sutter, O'Connell firm following his graduation this spring.
Farchione Appointed to Birth Trauma Panel
March 01, 2004
Joseph Farchione was recently appointed as a member of the Birth Trauma Panel for CNA HealthPro. This group is currently made up of nine trial attorneys from across the country. Joe and his Birth Trauma Team will have the responsibility of supervising and trying selected cases in a six state region that includes Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Delaware, Indiana and Pennsylvania.
