GBBS

G|B|B|S Obtains over $900,000 for Plaintiff Struck in Eye by Illegal Firework

Jeff Storms — Tue, 01 May 2012 18:45:44 +0000

On July 4, 2009, then 16-year-old Lisa McGerr was struck in the eye by a portion of an illegal and ultra-hazardous firework while she was spending the Fourth of July holiday weekend with her friend. She was in the care, custody and control of her friend’s parents, Defendants Pamela and Gordon Jensen. The Jensen family brought McGerr up
to Defendant Gordon Israelson’s lake home where the illegal fireworks were ignited by Defendant Robert Cook. Lisa McGerr suffered a damaging and disfiguring eye injury. Liability was hotly contested by the Jensens and Gordon Israelson and all parties disputed Plaintiff’s damages. Plaintiff settled with Cook and Israelson prior to
trial and then prevailed against Gordon Jensen. Ultimately, Plaintiff recovered over $900,000. Robert Bennett was lead counsel for Plaintiff and worked closely with Ryan Vettleson and Katie Bennett.

Andrew Birrell Elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Jeff Storms — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:52:45 +0000

At the organization’s mid-winter meeting in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, G|B|B|S Managing Partner Andrew Birrell was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). The NACDL is the largest organization of criminal defense attorneys in the United States, and its members include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, active U.S. military defense counsel, law professors, judges, and defense counsel in international criminal tribunals. The Board of Directors oversees the policy and management of the Association.

Jeff Storms Settles Police Misconduct Case Against Saint Paul for $90,000

Jeff Storms — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:01:33 +0000

The case, entitled Spelbrink v. Saint Paul, involved the alleged assault and wrongful arrest of two young professionals, who were walking through a parking ramp. Video evidence obtained from the parking ramp showed that neither man was engaged in any wrongdoing, but that they were assaulted and wrongfully arrested nevertheless. One of the plaintiffs sustained craniofacial injuries as a resulted of the force.

To view recent media coverage of this matter, go to:

Saint Paul Pioneer Press: St. Paul paying $90K to men who claim unlawful seizure in downtown parking ramp

Minneapolis Star Tribune: St. Paul settles use-of-force suit filed in ramp arrests

City Pages: St. Paul settles police misconduct allegations with $90,000

Andrew Birrell and Jeff Storms Obtain Dismissal in Federal Civil RICO Action

Jeff Storms — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:20:29 +0000

In Ritchie Capital Mgmt. v. Jeffries, several investment funds, who loaned money to companies owned by Minnesota businessman Thomas Petters, brought an action alleging that the chief executive officers of Polaroid Corporation (Mary Jeffries) and Petters Capital, LLC engaged in illegal conduct that deprived the funds of an alleged security interest in Polaroid. Attorneys Birrell and Storms filed a motion to dismiss Ritchie’s RICO and related claims on behalf of Jeffries, arguing, in part, that the suit was duplicative of issues already being litigated in the Polaroid and Petters bankruptcy proceedings. Judge Montgomery agreed, and dismissed Ritchie’s action against Jeffries pending resolution of those bankruptcy proceedings. See Ritchie Capital Mgmt. v. Jeffries, No. 10-668 (ADM/JJG) (D. Minn. Feb. 2, 2012). As follows is a link to the Court’s
Order: Order on Motion to Dismiss

G|B|B|S Partners Robert Bennett and Ryan Vettleson Settle “Flash-Bang” Grenade Police Brutality Case Against Minneapolis for $1 Million Dollars

Jeff Storms — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:39:08 +0000

The case, entitled Russell v. Taylor, involved a botched drug raid in 2010 in which the Minneapolis officer threw a “flash-bang” grenade while executing a warrant. The officers’ request for a “no-knock” warrant was denied, so the officers were required to announce their presence. Nevertheless, the officers improperly broke the door down without announcing their presence immediately prior to throwing the grenade. The grenade rolled between Russell’s leg, who, as a result, suffered third- and fourth-degree burns to both of her calves, ultimately requiring skin grafts from her scalp to treat the injuries.

For additional information on this story and the use of “flash-bang” grenades, see the following links:

http://www.startribune.com/local/minneapolis/135343023.html

http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2011/12/rickia_russell_police_brutality_flashbang_grenade.php

http://www.startribune.com/local/135482398.html

G|B|B|S Recognized by National Publications as Top Minnesota Law Firm for Defendants and Plaintiffs

Jeff Storms — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:11:54 +0000

G|B|B|S (as Flynn, Gaskins & Bennett) was recently named a Minnesota First Tier Personal Injury Litigation Defense Firm by U.S. News and Best Lawyers in the 2011 – 2012 Edition of Best Law Firms.

G|B|B|S was also recently named by Benchmark Plaintiff as one of only six “Highly Recommended” local litigation firms. That publication also recognized G|B|B|S partners Robert Bennett, Andrew Birrell, Andrew Noel, and Ryan Vettleson as “Local Litigation Stars.” G|B|B|S’s Benchmark Plaintiff profile can be viewed at the following link: Benchmark Plaintiff

The U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings are based on an evaluation process that includes the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys in their field, and review of additional information provided by law firms as part of the formal submission process. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer who is included in Best Lawyers as part of the annual peer review assessment. Rankings are based on client and lawyer evaluations and peer review from leading attorneys in their field.

Benchmark Plaintiff’s rankings stem from a six-month research period, where its researchers conduct extensive interviews with litigators and their clients. During these interviews, the researchers examine recent casework handled by the firms and ask sources to offer their professional opinions on litigators practicing within their state or national practice areas. “Highly Recommended” firms received the most mentions, and were held as dominant in their particular jurisdiction. The list of “local litigation stars” for each state reflects only those individuals who were recommended consistently as reputable and effective litigators by clients and peers.

G|B|B|S Partner Ryan Vettleson Settles Police Misconduct Case Against Minneapolis Police Officer for $90,000.

Jeff Storms — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 21:09:24 +0000

The case, entitled Graves v. Lanasa, involved a young man who was outside of a nightclub in downtown Minneapolis when the defendant police officer approached him, punched him in the face, and rendered him unconscious with a neck restraint. According to the plaintiff and two witnesses, the plaintiff had done nothing wrong and held his hands up in a gesture of surrender when the officer approached him and struck him. The defendant officer claimed the plaintiff tried to flee the scene and resisted arrest. The plaintiff suffered scarring to his face and significant emotional distress from the incident.

Scott Rusert Wins Federal Jury Trial in Sales Representative Case

Jeff Storms — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:46:09 +0000

In a commercial contract case involving unpaid sales commissions and defense allegations of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, misappropriation of trade secrets, and violations of the Lanham Act, Scott Rusert continued G|B|B|S’s successful practice representing sales representatives under Minn. Stat. § 181.145. Rusert obtained a jury verdict on his client’s behalf for unpaid commissions, along with statutory penalties and attorney fees; gaining a total recovery of nearly $450,000. The jury rejected all defenses and counterclaims against the sales representative and his company. See Dalglish v. Professional Computer Services, L.L.P., Case No. 10-cv-02161-FLN (D. Minn.).

Ryan Vettleson, Andrew Noel, and Eric Newmark Present CLE on Police Misconduct to Hennepin County Public Defenders

Jeff Storms — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:19:49 +0000

G|B|B|S partners Ryan Vettleson, Andrew Noel, and Eric Newmark presented a CLE to the Hennepin County Public Defenders. The CLE, entitled, “Spotting and Benefitting from Police Misconduct,” was a practical guide for public defenders. As the name implies, the course provided tips for identifying police misconduct, such as looking for the presence of key words in police reports. For example, likely cover words used in reports include that the suspect took a “fighting stance” or had a “look of defiance.” Other tips included looking for instances where officer testimony is inconsistent with the reports or where any video is inconsistent with the reports. The course also provided tips on how to use an awareness of police misconduct to both obtain a better result in the criminal case and to safeguard any future civil rights suit.

Eight G|B|B|S Attorneys Recognized as “Super Lawyers” & “Rising Stars”

Jeff Storms — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:05:15 +0000

G|B|B|S is pleased to announce that the following attorneys have been selected as “Super Lawyers” for 2011: Robert Bennett, Andrew Birrell, Timothy Schupp, William Tipping, and Eric Newmark. Timothy Schupp was named a Top 100 Super Lawyer for the third time. The Minnesota Super Lawyers list will be published by Twin Cities Business and Mpls. St. Paul Magazine. Attorneys Ryan Vettleson, Andrew Noel, and Robert Vaccaro will also be listed as “Rising Stars” in those publications.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a rigorous multi-phased process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice areas. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected to the “Super Lawyers” list.

“Rising Stars” are attorneys 40-years-old or younger or licensed to practice for 10 years or less. They are nominated by attorneys named to the Minnesota “Super Lawyers” list. Fewer than 2.5 percent of all Minnesota lawyers receive this honor.