Dan Tobben Takes Case of Disabled Firefighter over Disability Pay

A disabled Joplin firefighter has filed a lawsuit against Joplin and its Police and Firemen’s Pension Fund over what he contends is miscalculation of his disability pay over a duty-related disability. Rather than receiving one-half of his prior working wages, he is receiving only slightly more than a third of the wages he made when he was working.

According to his attorney, Dan Tobben, two issues are in play.

First, the city is not granting the full amount of service for the firefighter (15 years and 11 months) but is rounding it down to 15 years.

Second to the case, and more important, involves a change to the plan in 1993. Tobben asserts that the pension board did not disclose to the firefighters prior to a vote to amend their pension changes years regarding a reduction in benefit pay to those with less than 20 years of service. This change decreased the benefit pay from one-half of their working pay at the time of disability to one-third of their pay.

When Tobben appeared before the pension board in May, he stated that there is nothing that documents that firefighters were informed of the change to their disability pay and if they had been informed, the firefighters never would have voted for the amended plan.

Read more… Joplin Globe

Joe Soraghan Named One of the St. Louisans to Know

One of Danna McKitrick’s own, Joe Soraghan, has been named in St. Louis Small Business Monthly’s “100 St. Louisans to Know to Succeed in Business – 2011″.

Soraghan’s motivation to help small businesses first stems from the fact that small businesses constitute the bulk of business in this country and are likely the developers of new ideas, processes and products to improve people’s lives.

Read more… St. Louis Small Business Monthly

Danna McKitrick Named as One of the Best Law Firms

Danna McKitrick, P.C. is honored to be named as a top law firm in the June 2011 issue of St. Louis Small Business Monthly: The Best in Business awards.

Read more… St. Louis Small Business Monthly

Jeffrey L. Michelman joins Danna McKitrick as New Principal

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND ENTERTAINMENT LAW ATTORNEY EXPANDS SERVICE OFFERINGS OF GROWING FIRM

St. Louis, MO – June 1, 2011 – The law firm of Danna McKitrick, P.C., announced today that intellectual property, information technology and entertainment law attorney Jeffrey L. Michelman has joined the firm as its newest principal.

Michelman is involved in intellectual property management and litigation in the U.S. and abroad. He assists his clients with the development, acquisition, use and licensing of products and services under intellectual property law, particularly trademarks, copyrights, and proprietary computer software. Michelman also advises clients on legal issues regarding E-commerce and social networking activities as well as protection of trade secrets and “know-how”.

“There is definitely a different perceived professional ethic in the Midwest,” he says. “We’re perceived as more client-oriented and cost-effective. With technology I can easily stay in contact with my clients nationwide and in foreign countries and provide the same services and quality as the firms on the East or West Coast. What’s more, I can do it at a fee rate that is more palatable than on either coast,” Michelman said.

Michelman’s substantial client work in entertainment law will take Danna McKitrick into a new practice area. Michelman reviews his clients’ print and broadcast material for compliance with copyrights and trade regulations. He also manages his clients’ contracts for publicity and performance work, public appearances, endorsements, licensing, recording contracts, movie and TV options and development deals, and book publication.

His experience in the entertainment field includes: endorsements contracts with A-list actors; recording contracts with Grammy Award-winning artists; reality TV productions; and contracts with Academy Award-nominated producers and American Idol contestants.

Michelman has participated in successful litigation before the Supreme Court of the United States regarding trademark matters and represented KangaROOS U.S.A. against numerous corporations around the world for patent infringement. He has also represented an entertainment conglomerate in trademark and copyright infringement suits against clothing manufacturers that were settled favorably. Michelman recently successfully represented distributors for the South Butt parody clothing line.

“Jeff’s unique legal experience brings additional depth to the firm’s Intellectual Property Practice,” said Ruth Binger, Principal with Danna McKitrick. “Intellectual property issues continue to become more prominent as our lives center around technology. We anticipate Jeff’s extensive experience in this area of law will put the firm ahead of the curve in intellectual property now and into the future.”

Michelman earned his J.D. with Honors from Villanova University, an M.E. from Washington University in St. Louis, and his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University. He has served as an adjunct professor at both St. Louis University School of Law and Washington University School of Law in St. Louis. The founder and co-chair of the E-Commerce and Computer Law Committee of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis, Michelman is a frequent speaker and noted author on intellectual property and entertainment law subjects and issues. He holds the honor of being a decorated Captain in the United States Army.

In addition to these professional accomplishments, Michelman has participated in numerous community activities: President, Inventors Association of St. Louis; Vice President, Art St. Louis; Board Member, Edison Theater, Washington University; Chair, Small Business Committee, St. Louis Counts; Graduate, Leadership St. Louis.

Read more … St. Louis Business Journal

DeWoskin Comments on Chemical Building Situation

Bankruptcy attorney Tom DeWoskin remains hopeful Chemical Building Acquisition LLC can yet obtain crucial financing for renovating historical downtown St. Louis building.  The lender, Centrue Bank, has commenced foreclosure against the building, which is valued at $4-4.2 million against a debt of $7.8 million. Without financing, planned renovations cannot be made. About the situation, DeWoskin said: “It’s still a very difficult economy to find financing.”

Read more… St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Technology and Divorce

Our own Sophy Qureshi Raza is quoted in a Ladue News article: Computer Privacy in Divorce.

This is a very hot topic due to the increasing role of technology in discovering a spouse’s infidelity. And many people contemplating divorce or those in the midst of it wonder about the admissibility of discovered texts, emails, and social media posts in their divorce case.

James Heffner Elected to Cardinal Glennon Impact Board’s Executive Committee

ATTORNEY WORKS TO BENEFIT CARDINAL GLENNON CHILDREN’S MEDICAL CENTER

St. Louis, MO –  Effective January 1, 2011, attorney James M. Heffner was elected to serve a on the three-person executive committee of Cardinal Glennon’s IMPACT Board. Heffner joined the board in May of 2010 and has been involved in a variety of projects to benefit the organization.

“Though I’m relatively new to the IMPACT board, I’ve already witnessed the depth to which IMPACT helps the Children’s Medical Center with fundraising through awareness and events, so I really wanted to become more involved,” says Heffner. “I also became a dad this year so I have a new-found appreciation for the needs of little ones and their parents. The work of Cardinal Glennon is incredibly important to the families in our community.”

As a lawyer with Danna McKitrick, Heffner concentrates on banking and finance, corporate, and real estate law. He graduated from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2005 and obtained his B.A., with honors, from the University of Missouri-Columbia. He was a graduate of Leadership Clayton in 2009. In addition to serving on the board of Cardinal Glennon IMPACT, Heffner also sits on the Webster Groves Board of Adjustment and volunteers with the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

About the Cardinal Glennon Impact Board: The IMPACT Board is a group of young professionals who volunteer to promote community awareness and to raise funds for the overall betterment of Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. The spirit created through the special events and social functions help to foster a commitment to civic responsibility and to provide opportunity for personal growth. For more information, visit www.glennon.org.

Three New Principals: Laura Gerdes Long, Sophya Qureshi Raza, and Jeffrey R. Schmitt Are Promoted

St. Louis, MO – Jan. 3, 2011 – Danna McKitrick is pleased to announce three attorneys have been elected to the position of principal: Laura Gerdes Long, Sophya Qureshi Raza, and Jeffrey R. Schmitt. All three are primarily litigators, each with differing areas of focus spanning construction, health care, family, and real estate law as well as insurance defense and complex commercial litigation.

“Many times throughout the past few years, our principals have gratefully observed that we currently have the best group of associates that we’ve ever had—they are truly exceptional. It’s a pleasure watching them grow and evolve as lawyers, bringing insights and strategic changes to our practice, as well as great legal talent. It’s now time to honor these three associates with promotions to principal and welcome them as peers into their new leadership positions,” says Ron Danna, senior principal and co-founder of the firm.

Long’s practice focuses are tort, employment, insurance, and healthcare law. She works with major insurers resolving claims; advises doctors, nurses, psychologists and other health care professionals on licensing, disciplinary, and hospital privilege issues; and consults and trains on employment law policies and processes, especially related to HIPAA privacy and security requirements.

Long earned her J.D. from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. (cum laude) from Vanderbilt University. She also graduated from both the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy and Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Trial Academy. She formerly served as prosecutor and assistant city attorney for various municipalities in St. Louis County. Long serves as an alternate on the City of Kirkwood Board of Adjustment, and sits on the board of Legal Advocates for Abused Women and St. Genevieve du Bois School Board of Education.

Raza leads Danna McKitrick’s Family Law Department where she concentrates her practice in matters including pre- and post-nuptial agreements, annulments, divorce, child support and spousal support modifications, and probate litigation.

Raza obtained her J.D. from Washington University School of Law and her B.A. from George Washington University. She is also a graduate of the ABA Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute. She joined Danna McKitrick as a law clerk and advanced to eventually head her department. Raza serves on the boards of Angels’ Arms and the Scholarship Committee of Girls, Inc., is a member of the Islamic Foundation of Greater St. Louis, and is a former board member of The International Institute.

Schmitt’s commercial and general civil litigation practice includes financial and lending, construction, and real estate law as well as providing general legal counsel for small to mid-sized businesses.

Schmitt earned his J.D. from the University of Missouri-Columbia, his B.A. (magna cum laude) from Saint Louis University, and completed both the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy and Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers Trial Academy. He joined Danna McKitrick as a law clerk after clerking for the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of Missouri.

Schmitt is a member of Transportation Lawyers Association and was named in 2010 as a “Young Lawyer You Should Know” by The Missouri Bar Young Lawyer’s Section. He just became president of the Clayton Chamber of Commerce after serving on the Chamber’s board for two years, and is a member of the board at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection.

Read “People in Business”… St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Three Danna McKitrick Attorneys Make 2010 Missouri Super Lawyers List

ONLY 5 PERCENT OF LAWYERS IN MISSOURI ARE INCLUDED

St. Louis, MO – Dec. 15, 2010 – Attorneys Joseph R. Soraghan, Thomas G. Glick, and Sophya Q. Raza have been named by Super Lawyers magazine as three of the top attorneys in Missouri for 2010.

Soraghan’s primary practice areas include business law, securities and corporate finance and alternative dispute resolution. Only 5 percent of the lawyers in the state were selected for inclusion in Missouri Super Lawyers.

“I am surprised and proud to be mentioned in the same publication as so many of the lawyers whom I admire,” he said.

Glick’s primary practice areas include probate, trust and fiduciary litigation, probate administration, estate planning and trusts, elder law, special education, and real estate.

“I am honored and humbled by being included in the 2010 Missouri Super Lawyers. It’s a particular honor this year as I’m serving as the president of the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis,” he said.

Raza’s primary practice areas include family law, probate, as well as trust and fiduciary litigation.

“Missouri Super Lawyers selection of me as being among the top Missouri Lawyers took me completely by surprise. I was very pleased to see that Thomson Reuters Legal researchers use peer review, good-standing, as well as disciplinary checks of the lawyers it includes in the publication. It’s quite an honor for the three of us to be recognized,” Raza said.

The selection for inclusion in the list is made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team undertakes a rigorous, multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and good-standing and disciplinary checks.

Thomson Reuters Legal publishes Super Lawyers® magazines across the country. In addition to the magazines, the organization publishes newspaper inserts and special sections devoted to Super Lawyers. In 2010, Super Lawyers will reach more than 15 million readers. Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. It can be found online at www.superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.

Attorney Chris Vanderbeek Joins Danna McKitrick

LITIGATION DEPARTMENT ADDS ANOTHER WORKERS’ COMPENSATION, INSURANCE CLAIMS LAWYER TO TEAM

St. Louis, MO – Nov. 24, 2010 – Danna McKitrick, P.C. today announced that Chris Vanderbeek has joined the firm as a member of the litigation department to protect the interests of businesses and their insurers for whom Danna McKitrick are regional counsel.

Vanderbeek has several years of experience in analyzing liability and damages in the context of insurance and malpractice defense, as well as litigating real estate matters.

“We’re excited to have Chris join our team. He’s focused and committed to the challenges of insurance defense and to helping employers pursue the best possible outcomes against workers’ compensation and related claims, which is where he’ll spend most of his time,” said Brian Weinstock, a principal with Danna McKitrick.

Previously, Vanderbeek was an attorney with another St. Louis-based insurance defense firm and while in law school, he clerked with a Columbia, Mo. firm for two years.

“I had heard only good things about the firm and being here at Danna McKitrick has reinforced that perception—it’s been overwhelmingly positive. I was looking for a good place to do the work that I enjoy,” Vanderbeek said.

Vanderbeek is a 2009 graduate of the University of Missouri School of Law where he was on the Dean’s List, served as managing editor of the Journal of Dispute Resolution, and received the John E. Burruss Memorial Prize for Outstanding Contribution. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism.

Vanderbeek is admitted to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, and the eastern and western District Courts of Missouri. He is a member of The Missouri Bar, Illinois State Bar Association and the Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis.

Read “People in Business”… St. Louis Post-Dispatch