Congratulations to Steele Schneider lawyer Tara Fertlemes! She is prominently mentioned in a recently published opinion of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. Trial court opinions are selectively published. The publication of Tara’s case signals that the jurist issuing the opinion thought the case important for those in the legal community to read.
In his opinion, Judge Alan Hertzberg, writes an erudite and comprehensive opinion, taking to task a defense lawyer who pursued a "shotgun litigation strategy" against a Steele Schneider client. Judge Hertzberg aptly described the shotgun litigation strategy as defense counsel raising "every defense imaginable (similar to how a shotgun blast strikes a far wider area than a bullet) during the trial, the attorney fees petition hearings and the post-trial motions." The court found that Tara "reasonably expended the amount of time that was needed to respond, which would have been much less had [defense counsel] adopted a different strategy (e.g., pick your battles)."
A notable accomplishment by Tara is that she convinced the court to award $21,834 in attorney’s fees in addition to the wage damages awarded our client.
Tara's advocacy in the case demonstrates that Steele Schneider lawyers stand up to opposing attorneys who employ shotgun litigation strategies to deny rightful recovery to wronged and injured persons.
For those who enjoy reading a very well reasoned and expertly written legal opinion that holds difficult lawyers accountable for their vexatious strategies, see the opinion at: http://www.acba.org/ACBA/Publications/PLJ-Opinions/2012/5-PLJ_Opinions030912.pdf
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