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Straight
Track #200
Status
Report on
Hoey & Farina, P.C.
(We're In Business & Doing Better Than Ever!) James
L. Farina, Attorney
Hoey & Farina
farina@hoeyfarina.com
1-888-425-1212 It's my turn to write this
week's edition of Straight Track. I want to take this opportunity to recap the events of the past year and share with you our recent settlements and jury verdicts. |
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Why and why now? Our Attorneys and Investigators who attend union meetings regularly tell me questions are asked about the status of the firm. Since you are the people who make our continued success possible, it is appropriate that I should share the information with you.
The law firm of Hoey, Farina & Downes was conceived in 1997, after doing business for years as
"Hoey & Farina." J. Dillon Hoey, the founder of the firm, my mentor and our friend, was the sole owner of the law firm. Dan Downes and I, in the world of legal relationships, were
"name partners." That is, we had no equity or ownership interest in the firm even though our names were at the top of the letterhead with
Dillon's.
The structure of the firm began to change in April 2003. When Dillon knew his illness was terminal, very shortly before his death, he asked me if I wished to buy the firm. I told him that I did, and then offered the opportunity to Dan Downes to participate in the purchase. Dan respectfully declined. I concluded the purchase on my own with
Dillon's estate, and the firm name remained the same. I can assure you that this law firm will always have
Dillon's name in first place even though I am now the sole owner.
In late December, 2003, change occurred again. Dan Downes, who had primary responsibility for the
firm's relationship with several of the labor organizations and international officers by whose authority the firm acts as Designated Counsel, decided to pursue the practice of law
"on his own". As of now, I believe that is exactly what he has done. I also am proud to write that the all
firm's attorneys, full time investigators, support staff, files and clients stayed with me. However,
Dan's departure, which was on the friendliest terms, seems to have generated rumors, some unfortunately deliberately circulated by several of our competitors, that the firm is breaking up or going out of business. That is simply not true and was never even considered as a possibility.
So, where do we stand as we approach the anniversary of Dillon's death? William J. McMahon joined us as an attorney. Bill had been with us as a law clerk and webmaster ever since he started law school.
Bill's experience with railroading and the FELA, gained even before he graduated and passed the Illinois bar exam, gives him greater background in representing our railroad clients than a lawyer with several years of prior practice. I hired Bill because our increasing case load requires another trial lawyer to maintain our high level of service to our clients. Although more of my time is needed for administrative duties, I have hardly retired from the court room. On March 1, 2004, I obtained a jury verdict in the amount of
$1,750,000. Zealous advocacy for injured railroaders is still my first interest, and the rumor that I would no longer try cases is just as unfounded as the one about the firm breaking up or going out of business. Nor are we merging into another firm. So much for rumors, personnel changes and their effect on the firm.
We are still a team. Frank Van Bree will continue to provide his insights, guidance and case development and settlement strategies. Alan Fisher has the primary responsibility of continuing the
firm's relationships with union officers, our education and training seminars, client relationships and the
firm's development. Steve Garmisa will lead the firm's appellate work. George Brugess, Rick Haydu, Jim Foley, Bob Drummond, Craig Church, and Bill McMahon will continue their work as trial attorneys. I can unequivocally state that Hoey & Farina remains one of the best FELA law firms in the country.
Recent Results
Now, most importantly, what have we been doing for our clients, railroaders and their families? A lot. January and February settlements and verdicts have gotten us off to the best start in the
firm's entire history, going back to when Dillon and I began to practice law together. Settlements totaling more than
$8,000,000 were negotiated, and jury verdicts of almost $2,500,000 were obtained.
You'll be reading more about these cases in future editions of Straight Track, so I
won't go into details at this time.
But I want you to know that this firm is very strong and doing better than ever for its clients. Rumors and disinformation to the contrary are false; so your continued faith and confidence in us is not misplaced. You have my word on it. We are still here, and will continue to do a superior job for you when you give us the opportunity to represent you.
I hope this answers any questions you had about Hoey & Farina's future in the practice of FELA law. Be assured that future issues of Straight Track will return to topics that contain information that you can use on the job and to protect yourselves in the event you are injured. If however, I have not addressed a particular concern of yours, please call or email me and I will do my best to set the record straight. We know that our continued success depends on your faith in our ability to represent you effectively.
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