Congrats to the Law Firm of Martin & Bonnett on their recent $35 million class action settlement against Honeywell.
The case arose when a group of former Garrett employees (a company that was later purchased by Honeywell) became concerned with how their pension benefits were being calculated. The group, the Garrett Retirees Action Committee, hired Martin & Bonnett to investigate their claims and hired an actuary to analyze the formulas associated with their pension calculations.
On July 26th, 2002 Martin & Bonnett filed a Claim Letter with Honeywell. Honeywell denied the claim and a Class Action lawsuit was filed against Honeywell on March 1, 2004. On November 5, 2007, the Court preliminarily approved a Partial Settlement in this case. The Partial Settlement does not resolve the 3 main issues in this case involving the Social Security and SBA Offsets. These claims continue to be litigated. The Partial Settlement does resolve the other issues of the case. The Partial Settlement provides for a recovery of $35 million with the potential to recover an additional $500 million if they are successful on the remaining main issues of the case. The details of the case can be found here.
Lead attorneys, Susan Martin & Daniel Bonnett, are both considered national authorities on ERISA law. They have several million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for employees from around the country.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
ERISA Class Action Settlement - $35,000,000
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Arizona Construction Litigation Law Firm
Congratulations to the Phoenix based law firm of Schneider & Onofry, P.C on the release of their new FindLaw website; www.azconstructionlawfirm.com
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Howard Snader - Arizona Criminal Defense Lawyer
After hounding Howard for months, I finally got him to share some of his recent success stories. A talented criminal defense trial lawyer, Howard is recognized as a Criminal Law Specialist in the State of Arizona. As you will see from below, Howard as been very busy this year. Please note that the following cases and dispositions are from the last 12 months only!
AGGRAVATED ASSAULT/DANGEROUS OFFENSES
Marcello K Attempted Murder and Aggravated Assault. Defendant in a road rage incident stabbed the alleged victim in the heart with a pocket knife. Jury agreed with our claim of self defense. Defendant found not guilty on both counts.
Ron H. Aggravated Assault with a gun, domestic violence. After substantial discovery, case agreed to dismiss the felonies and the prison plea offer. Defendant pled to one count of misdeanor disorderly conduct. Defendant served no jail for the offense.
Mitchell S. Aggravated Assault with a gun, domestic violence. After substantial discovery, court appearances, and motion practice, case was dismissed as a result of the police officers not accurately reporting the case or the witness statements
H.P. Aggravated Assault, non-dangerous, involving a fight in the stands at a Phoenix Suns game. After trial, defendant found NOT GUILTY of the aggravated assault, but guilty of a misdemeanor assault.
DRUG RELATED CRIMES
Adam W. Defendant was transporting 3 TONS of Marijuana. Defendant had two prior felony convictions. Original offer on the Transportation for Sale was for no less than 10 years in prison. After substantial interviews and independent investigation, defendant accepted a plea to 2. 5 years in prison
Curtis G. Defendant charged with Possession of Marijuana for Sale. Defendant on parole in another state for the same crime at the time of this offense. Officers found the defendant in a home with more than 400 pounds of marijuana. One year earlier, I was successful in having a similar matter in Maricopa County not charged in any capacity. However, the defendant did not learn from that event. Original offer give the quantity found, the number of co-defendants, the prior felony conviction for the same offense, the current parole status, the previous uncharged offense, was to be no less than 10 years. Defendant entered a plea and was sentenced to just 3.5 years in prison.
Deb R. Public Sexual Indecency. Original offer was plea to the offense with probation, jail and sex registration left to the court. Final disposition was a deferred prosecution so that after counseling the charges would be formally dismissed.
James E. Possession of Marijuana and Paraphernalia. Case dismissed on illegal search
Dylan K. Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Paraphernalia, Involving a Minor in a Drug Transaction. After three motions to dismiss for various reasons, the prosecutor elected to not proceed a fourth time. Case dismissed
PROPERTY CRIMES
Brian Z. Fraud Scheme and Theft of about $40,000. Case dismissed for lack of evidence after substantial motion practice
Jeff S. Criminal Damage as a felony. Case dismissed for lack of evidence after substantial motion practice
Souren S. Forgery, Theft, Fraud Schemes and Possession of False ID with prior felony conviction for same offense. Original offer prison with immigration related consequences. Final disposition was probation with jail. Plea was structured to eliminate immigration mandatory sanctions.
Jesus D. Possession of Forged ID, multiple counts, while on parole for the same offenses. Original offer was a long term in prison. After substantial discovery, motion to suppress led to defendant electing to accept generous plea rather than take chances on the motion outcome. End result was a plea to a probationary sentence with NO jail time.
Harut T. Forgery, Theft, Fraud Schemes and Possession of False ID. Original offer would have resulted in mandatory deportation. Final disposition was probation with jail. Plea was structured to eliminate immigration mandatory sanctions.
DUI RELATED OFFENSES
Jimmy B Defendant was charged with two counts of Aggravated DUI with two prior Aggravated DUI felonies. Original offer was 7.5 years in DOC. After trial, court dismissed the prior convictions making the defendant probation eligible. The State stood by its commendation for DOC, but the court granted probation.
James J. DUI… dismissed for lack of evidence
Nicholas M. Aggravated DUI, with two prior Aggravated DUI, committed on probation. Facing the new Aggravated DUI and the probation. Original plea offer was to no less than 10 years in DOC. End result was a plea offer to reinstatement to probation on the probation violation and a guarantee to probation on the new Aggravated DUI charges.
SEX OFFENSES
James H. Sexual Molestation. Hired to disrupt CPS proceedings. No formal charges filed.
Jerold K. Sexual Molestation. Hired to disrupt police investigation. No formal charges submitted to the prosecutor.
Albert Z. Sexual Misconduct with a Minor. Defendant was in mid forties having sex with fiance’s 16 year old daughter. Defendant received probation with 30 days in jail.
Richard C. Defendant accused of sexual misconduct with a minor in Pinal County. Despite the victim giving birth to the defendant’s child, counsel was able to have no charges prosecuted.
Deb R. Public Sexual Indecency. Original offer was plea to the offense with probation, jail and sex registration left to the court. Final disposition was a deferred prosecution so that after counseling the charges would be formally dismissed.
Monday, April 21, 2008
FindLaw Networking Event #2
Mark Your Calendars!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Aggressive Phoenix Criminal Defense Lawyers
Congrats to the Phoenix criminal defense firm, Beresky & Fish, on the release of their two new websites; www.bereskyandfish.com & www.azdomesticviolencelawyer.com
The design of both sites reflect the aggressive posture they take in defending the rights of their clients. Former prosecutors that understand the criminal justice system from both sides, the firm has compiled an impressive list of outstanding results.
The firm routinely handles felony cases throughout Maricopa & Pinal county. Including the defense of drug crimes, assaults, domestic violence, theft, DUI & sex offense cases.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Gilbert AZ Bankruptcy Attorney
Congrats to the Law Office of Chris Dutkiewicz, P.C. on the release of his new FindLaw website; www.chrisdlaw.com
Friday, April 18, 2008
Scottsdale AZ DUI Results
Congrats to Scottsdale DUI lawyer, Craig Rosenstein, on a recent string of fantastic DUI results he has gotten for his clients. An aggressive Scottsdale DUI trial attorney, Craig has gotten a number of DUI cases dismissed or reduced in the past year.
Craig accounts for his outstanding record through detailed & individualized representation. With a focus on DUI, Craig stays current with AZ DUI laws and the ever increasing consequences of a DUI.
Attached is a detailed account of some of his more impressive results;
