Nemechek, Villanueva Obtain Defense Verdict in Chicago Employment Trial

January 22, 2020

Nemechek, Villanueva Obtain Defense Verdict in Chicago Employment Trial

On January 21, 2020, Berkowitz Oliver partners Kathy Nemechek and Jocelyn Villanueva obtained a complete defense verdict in a six-day trial in an employment case for client Ford Motor Company. Tried in federal court in Chicago, the case involved allegations of racial discrimination, harassment and retaliation under Title VII and Section 1981.

May 30, 2018

Jennifer Wieland on Discovery of Legal Hold Notice, CEO Gmail

Jennifer Wieland recently published an article analyzing a recent decision in the federal court in Kansas regarding discovery of how documents were identified and collected for production. The decision provides helpful guidance to practitioners regarding the particularity required in a 30(b)(6) notice, the amount of preparation required by 30(b)(6) designees, when counsel will be testify as a 30(b)(6) designee, the discovery of legal hold notices; and access to witness’s personal email accounts. For the full article, click here . Wieland regularly writes on discovery issues in federal …

February 16, 2018

David Oliver to Serve on Merit Selection Panel for U.S. Magistrate Judge

David Oliver has been selected by Chief Judge David Gregory Kays to serve on the Merit Selection Panel for the next United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Missouri . The position will be located in Kansas City to fill the vacancy created by the planned retirement of Judge Sarah W. Hays on September 1, 2018.

February 6, 2018

Jennifer Wieland on Dismissal for Lack of Personal Jurisdiction in Kansas Federal Court

Jennifer Wieland recently published another article analyzing a recent decision in the federal court in Kansas dismissing a breach of fiduciary duty case for lack of personal jurisdiction. For the full article, click here . Wieland regularly writes on jurisdiction issues in federal courts.

November 28, 2017

John Shaw Named to Federal Bench-Bar Committee in Kansas

John Shaw has been named to the Bench-Bar Committee for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. The Bench-Bar Committee has general advisory and liaison roles with respect to the operation of the court , among other things: (1) Provides a forum for the continuous study of the operating procedures of the court; (2) serves as liaison among the court, its bar and the public; (3) studies considers and recommends the adoption, amendment or rescission of the Rules of Practice of …

October 19, 2017

John Shaw Moderates CLE on Federal Law Enforcement Trends

John Shaw moderated a CLE presentation entitled “Investment and Financial Fraud – Trends and Current Issues in Federal Law Enforcement.” The CLE was sponsored by the local chapter of the Federal Bar Association and the University of Kansas School of Law , and took place at the Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri. The presentation included participants from the SEC Denver Regional Office, the CFTC Division of Enforcement, the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas and the Kansas City Office of the FBI.

August 31, 2017

Jennifer Wieland on New District of Kansas Patent Local Rules

The federal court for the District of Kansas has adopted new Patent Local Rules . These rules apply to cases filed after August 14, 2017. For a link to an article by Jennifer Wieland summarizing the new rules, click here .

July 10, 2017

Tim West Wins Summary Judgment in District of Kansas Defamation Case

Tim West obtained summary judgment for a firm client that owns Hillcrest Country Club in Kansas City. Following an article on Golf.com concerning the golf course that referenced statements made by persons affiliated with Hillcrest, plaintiff sued both the entity that owns the golf course and the publisher of Golf.com. Plaintiff alleged that statements made about him in the article caused the defendants to be liable to him under theories of defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Judge Crabtree wrote an …