Category: Newsworthy

In the arena of family law, the venerable notion of the “finality of judgments” buckles under the common sense need for family orders involving children to evolve as the children age and develop.  Hence, a parent can modify a family order involving a  minor child, but only if they can prove there has been a...

Reports of “Nuclear Verdicts” have been greatly exaggerated by the media.  In Weeks v. True, Sam Johnson recently obtained a defense verdict in Penobscot County Superior Court after the jury deliberated for a total of 19 minutes.  The case involved an auto accident in which liability was not contested, but the causal connection between the...

Netflix has a show called “The Three-Body Problem.”  Aaron Baltes recently prevailed in a case that could be called “The Three-Parent Problem.”  In 2015, the Maine Parentage Act modernized the statutes governing parentage, providing for several different methods for establishing legal parentage beyond a genetic link to the child.  The Act proved critical in establishing...

Matt Mehalic and Sam Johnson presented a seminar addressing common third-party liability coverage issues under a Businessowners policy and also provided helpful hints for 30(b)(6) depositions of insurance professionals at the Concord Group Insurance Companies on August 1, 2024.  The presentation gave Matt and Sam an opportunity to offer insights into application of insurance provisions...

David Goldman scored another appellate victory in Vargas v. Riverbend Management.  In its decision, the Law Court affirmed the defense verdict secured by Devin Deane in the Superior Court. In Vargas, the Law Court took the opportunity to clarify the circumstances under which an employer can be held vicariously liable for the discriminatory actions of...

For the past 12 years, Norman, Hanson & DeTroy has sponsored the Maine Bench-Bar Hockey Game to promote civility and collegiality among the legal community.  The irony of a hockey game promoting civility and collegiality is not lost on us.  Tom Marjerison and John Veilleux started the game, and Sam Johnson has ably taken over...

Governor Janet Mills recently nominated Dan Cummings to the Board of Directors of the Finance Authority of Maine (FAME).  The Joint Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement and Business and the Maine Senate both unanimously approved his nomination. Dan has nearly 35 years of experience in the lending industry representing credit unions throughout the state...

An article written by Brad Pattershall and Jonathan Brogan was recently published in Maine Town & City, a periodic publication of the Maine Municipal Association (MMA).  The article addresses how to mitigate claims of employment discrimination by implementing best practices. NHD frequently represents MMA insureds both before the Maine Human Rights Commission and in court...

David Very successfully obtained the dismissal of a claim of punitive damages against a major trucking client in a significant pedestrian/truck accident pursuant to a motion for judgment on the pleadings shortly after the complaint was filed.  There has been a recent trend of Plaintiff attorneys including counts for punitive damages to be used as...

J.D. Hadiaris and Mark Lavoie secured a defense verdict following a medical malpractice jury trial at the Penobscot Judicial Center in Bangor, Maine.   J.D. and Mark’s client, an orthopedic surgeon, was accused of breaching the standard of care in obtaining informed consent for shoulder surgery, and causing damages, including shoulder dysfunction and the need for...

Norman Hanson & DeTroy is honored to be included among the top of the “Highly Recommended” law firms in the State of Maine in the 2024 edition of Benchmark Litigation’s “The Guide to America’s Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys.” In addition, the following attorneys received individual recognition from Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Stars Mark G....

Chambers and Partners released their 2023 Rankings, and Norman, Hanson & DeTroy was listed as the top firm (Band 1) for Litigation: Medical Malpractice & Insurance Defense.  Four Maine firms were listed in Band 2.  We are proud of our reputation in the legal and business community, and look forward to providing unparalleled service to...