Trial Results

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share that Florida partners Craig Derrig and Ryan Schoeb and senior counsel Christina Hall secured a significant victory on behalf of a Miami Beach hotel and related entities, obtaining dismissal of all claims with prejudice in a wrongful death lawsuit arising from the drowning death of a guest of the hotel. The case involved a tragic set of facts, including the decedent's minor children having witnessed the drowning and being completely orphaned as a result. The litigation was complex and contentious, with excessive motion practice by the plaintiff, in addition to several multi-million-dollar demands.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly shares that Florida partner Ryan Schoeb, Senior Counsel Tyler Raiford, and associate George Pinilla secured a significant victory on behalf of the owner of a bar, obtaining a dismissal with prejudice in response to a summary judgment motion, in a high-stakes dram shop lawsuit arising from an alleged incident at the client's property. The case involved serious allegations, a complex factual record, a $1 million policy limits demand, and disabling catastrophic injuries that could have resulted in a multi-million dollar verdict if the plaintiff were to prevail.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) secured a significant victory in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, where Partner Timothy Shea and Senior Counsel Sander Weiner obtained a dismissal with prejudice on behalf of the firm's client in a closely watched defamation action involving reposted social media content and the scope of immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that a decisive litigation strategy employed by Boca Raton partner Sebastian Larrea and senior associate Nicole Dominguez, resulted in the dismissal with prejudice of a $1.75 million property damage lawsuit arising from Hurricane Ian, with no payment made by the firm's clients.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce a significant litigation victory achieved by its New York office and led by Associate Kerstein Camilien, securing the complete dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit against its client, a commercial landlord, at the earliest stage of the case.

A Texas jury returned a defense verdict for WSHB’s client, rejecting all claims, following a highly contested trial.  Notably, this case has an intense amount of media exposure which prompted heated discussions about elderly drivers, bollard installations and liability issues emanating from both.   

In an emotionally charged premises liability trial, Wood Smith Henning & Berman trial partners Jennifer Provost and Clinton Raney, working in close coordination with local counsel, secured a decisive result for WSHB's client. Facing an $11 million pre-trial demand, the WSHB team’s powerful advocacy led the jury to reject plaintiff’s $9 million ask at trial to a final jury verdict of $525,000. Notably, the final jury verdict is less than was offered early in the life of the case.  

Wood Smith Henning & Berman successfully obtained a significant litigation victory in New Jersey after securing an order disqualifying plaintiffs' counsel in a series of 10 legal actions involving allegations sounding in products liability and premises liability against the Firm's trampoline park client.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce that Senior Counsel Lauren Nweze secured a complete defense verdict following a jury trial in federal court on behalf of police officers and their department in a high-exposure negligence case.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to share a significant litigation victory on behalf of its client, a regional fertilizer distribution company, in a major products liability case arising from alleged damage to a commercial plant nursery's inventory in Alabama.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman partners Ahllam Berri and Zachary Lynch secured a decisive victory in the Central District of California, obtaining dismissal of a refiled employment action on personal jurisdiction grounds and bringing finality to a case that had already been dismissed once before.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to share that Florida partner Ryan Schoeb and senior associate Janeé Prince secured a significant victory on behalf of a national property management company and property owner, obtaining summary judgment in a high-stakes negligent security lawsuit arising from an alleged sexual assault at the client's property. The case involved serious allegations, a complex factual record, and a $10 million demand.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a significant defense victory achieved by New Jersey partner Brendan Johnson and associate Danielle Harris, who secured a summary judgment dismissal in a high-stakes personal injury case involving multiple surgeries, implanted hardware, and a $1.5 million demand.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a significant litigation victory led by senior associates Megan McDonough and Matthew Lavoie in a complex New York Labor Law matter.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that Senior Counsel Jackie Macias, Senior Associate Lauren Davies, and Associate Erin Howlin successfully secured dismissal of all claims against their client, a referee, through a post-answer motion to dismiss in a case arising from an alleged sideline injury at a high school football game.

Demonstrating strategic precision and disciplined advocacy, the New Jersey office of Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) achieved a coordinated series of victories disqualifying a key plaintiff's expert in multiple high-exposure recreational sporting facility cases. The rulings, issued across several New Jersey courts, underscore the judiciary's commitment to protecting privileged information and preserving the integrity of the litigation process.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce another strategic win on a motion summary judgment in a high-exposure wrongful death action arising from a fatal automobile accident.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman announces a significant defense verdict in a complex medical malpractice case involving allegations that a urology procedure caused permanent sexual dysfunction. The physician defendant was represented by Partner Ryan Deane, who led the defense through a highly scrutinized trial centered on issues of new to market invasive procedures, informed consent, documentation and resulting sexual dysfunction.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a successful outcome in a significant arbitration matter on behalf of its client, a construction manager involved in a private shopping center project. Partners Keith Smith and Mike Kowalski and Senior Counsel Courtney Jakofsky led the defense team to a complete victory. The arbitrator ruled entirely in the client's favor, dismissing the property owner's counterclaim, and awarding the client full recovery of its attorney's fees.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman's nationally recognized cyber defense team secured yet another victory for the client in a high stakes class action suit. Boston and Westport Managing Partner Chris Seusing and Partner Sean Patel successfully secured the voluntary dismissal of a proposed data breach class action pending in Texas state court after demonstrating that the named plaintiff lacked standing to pursue the claims. Following targeted legal analysis and strategic engagement with opposing counsel, plaintiff's counsel agreed to dismiss the action, bringing the matter to a decisive close at an early stage.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a major litigation victory in Louisiana, securing summary judgment for certain London based insurance syndicates in a significant dispute connected to a multimillion-dollar first-party property claim arising from a 2022 storm event at an academic learning center in Baton Rouge. The underlying property claim is valued at approximately $7.5 million, amplifying the importance of eliminating ancillary litigation risk.

Wood, Smith, Henning and Berman announced today that Partners Kamela Devole and Sarah Connor obtained summary judgment on behalf of the firm's clients in a premises liability action filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The ruling resulted in the dismissal of all claims against the defendants, who owned a property listed for rent through a vacation property rental company.

A coordinated, cross-office effort between WSHB's Jacksonville and Tampa teams delivered a decisive victory in a high-exposure personal injury lawsuit involving significant alleged damages at a commercial storage facility.

A Los Angeles County jury returned a complete defense verdict following an eight-day jury trial in a hotly contested medical malpractice action arising from an in vitro fertilization (IVF) procedure. The verdict marks Partner Ryan Deane's third defense trial victory in the past 18 months and further solidifies his reputation as a formidable trial advocate in complex personal injury/medical negligence cases.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to report a decisive victory as Partners James Tyrie, Jennifer Provost and Charlene Lanez along with Senior Associate Matthew Lavoie, prevailed on a motion for summary judgment that resulted in the complete dismissal of the plaintiffs' complaint. The court delivered a well-developed, detailed order and decision, bringing a complete and favorable resolution to a case that had drawn significant public attention to the local community.

The Dallas team of Wood Smith Henning & Berman achieved a decisive summary judgment victory on behalf of a nationwide restaurant chain in a premises liability action alleging negligence arising from a claimed slip-and-fall incident at the restaurant's entrance. The team was led by Dallas Managing Partner Christine Atwood.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to share a significant appellate victory secured under Partner Christine Atwood. The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth affirmed a trial court order granting complete summary judgment in favor of a wedding venue owner. The ruling eliminated negligence claims seeking more than $1 million in alleged damages and reinforces important statewide principles governing premises-liability law.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share a significant win in Kings County Supreme Court, New York, where the court granted summary judgment and dismissed all claims against the property owner client based on the "trivial defect" doctrine. Senior Associate Colin Brucia secured the dismissal by marshalling compelling expert testimony and exposing fatal deficiencies in the plaintiff's evidentiary showing.

A Tulare County jury has returned a highly favorable verdict for a major national grocery chain, awarding $100,000 in damages, an amount suggested by defense counsel, and far below the $1.6 million requested by plaintiff. The defense team was led by Partner David Benton, who guided the case through trial and emphasized that the disputed medical causation did not support the plaintiff's claimed cervical fusion surgery and extensive damages.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce a significant victory on behalf of a national insurance carrier in a coverage dispute before the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire. The Court granted our client's motion for judgment on the pleadings, deciding in favor of the insurer in a case involving claims-made coverage under an Employment Practices Liability ("EPL") policy endorsement.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce that Of Counsel Nicholas Gedo and Partner Vanessa Herzog successfully obtained a summary judgment in favor of their client, a California employer wrongfully sued in a workplace injury action. The ruling brings an end to the plaintiff's lawsuit and affirms the strength of the statutory protections governing independent-contractor classification and workers' compensation exclusivity.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman, led by Partner Luana DiSarra Scavone and assisted by Senior Associate Brandon P. Ruggieri, secured a significant victory on behalf of our client, a former property management company, in a complex case arising from a catastrophic fire that involved two wrongful death actions and four personal injury lawsuits, plus other potential claimants not yet identified. Despite tenacious opposition and the complicated discovery posture, the court granted the firm's motion for summary judgment, finalizing the case in the client's favor and the judicial decision was not appealed by any party.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP (WSHB) is proud to announce a decisive and sweeping defense victory secured by Partner Melanie Thomas and Senior Counsel Rena Hughes, who prevailed on a motion for judgment on the pleadings in the District Court of Clark County, Nevada. The ruling eliminates every claim against the firm’s client in a case involving allegations of severe burns, infection, and disfigurement arising from a non-laser chemical tattoo removal procedure.

The Wood Smith Henning & Berman Orlando trial team recently delivered a significant victory for a national home builder, obtaining three separate summary judgment rulings that resulted in a complete dismissal of all claims in a premises liability action in which the plaintiff demanded a seven-figure settlement.

The Wood Smith Henning & Berman team led by Senior Counsel Sean Patel and Partner Chris Seusing, recently secured a voluntary dismissal in a significant pixel class action filed against one of the largest credit unions in Indiana and Michigan. The lawsuit alleged improper data sharing using website tracking technology.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is happy to report that Senior Counsel Sean Patel and Partner Chris Seusing successfully secured a voluntary dismissal on behalf of a major health care provider operating in Arizona and Texas, bringing a swift and favorable resolution to a recently filed data breach lawsuit.

In a complex case led by Senior Counsel Sean Patel, Wood Smith Henning & Berman secured a voluntary dismissal of a class action lawsuit filed against one of the largest healthcare providers in Arizona following a third-party data breach.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP (WSHB) is pleased to announce a significant victory obtained by Senior Counsel Arthur Rushforth, who successfully secured an order enforcing a settlement agreement in a contentious New York case involving a self-represented (pro se) plaintiff.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman LLP successfully defended a complex, high-profile lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where the plaintiff — a former investigative journalist known for undercover work on terrorism, Chinese espionage, and political scandals — claimed his archive, allegedly worth more than $30 million, was wrongfully destroyed by an apartment complex.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a major defense victory in Harris County, Texas, where partner Spencer Dunn and associate Grace Cousins obtained a motion for summary judgment (MSJ) on behalf of a trucking company and its driver in a hotly contested personal injury case.

Following a hard-fought five-week jury trial, a Rancho Cucamonga jury returned a full defense verdict in a multi-million product liability trial.  Wood Smith Henning & Berman trial partner Jade Tran together with Ashley Beagle successfully obtained a full defense verdict in favor of their client following a complex jury trial involving allegations of product liability and negligence.

Led by partner Alicia Kennon and senior associate Illise Schulman, Wood Smith Henning & Berman successfully obtained a defense judgment in favor of its clients following a two-day court trial involving allegations of professional negligence in the preparation, administration, and management of a residential fumigation.

In a protracted and hard-fought legal battle, Partner Andrew Kessler and Senior Counsel Sarah Connor of WSHB achieved a decisive victory on behalf of a non-profit mental health provider and its licensed professionals. The team successfully secured summary judgment against an aggressive pro se plaintiff, bringing years of contentious litigation to a close.

In a hard-fought trial in one of Florida’s most plaintiff-friendly venues, an Orlando jury rejected a $1.42 million damages claim, awarding just $95,458.06 to the plaintiff after finding him 40% at fault for his own injuries.

In a powerful one-two punch, Wood Smith Henning & Berman secured consecutive wins in Connecticut premises liability cases, each supervised by Partner Kate Adams, delivering complete dismissals of claims targeting property management clients. The victories involved two separate contentious pieces of litigation: one stemming from an alleged vicious dog attack inside a tenant's apartment, and another involving a serious injury allegedly caused by a defective sidewalk ramp. Both cases were successfully resolved at the motion stage, sparing the firm's clients the cost and risk of trial. The winning motions were argued by attorney Kendra McGuire and Senior Counsel Megan Michaud, respectively, who both effectively advocated their clients' positions before Connecticut Superior Court judges.

In a significant and hard-fought win, Wood Smith Henning & Berman successfully defended a major corporation in a lawsuit filed in San Francisco Superior Court. The team, composed of Senior Counsel Caitlin Mitchell and Associate Adriana Valdez, persuaded the court to grant a forum non conveniens motion and dismiss the case in favor of adjudication in South Africa, where the underlying incident occurred. The plaintiffs, two of whom reside in California, sued in the state, citing defendant's principal place of business in San Francisco. Despite the steep odds, the court agreed the case belonged elsewhere.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman partners Frances O'Meara and Mindy Bae have secured two significant victories defeating claims brought under California's Investigative Consumer Reporting Agencies Act (ICRAA), a statute that has rapidly emerged as a major source of high-volume, high-risk litigation targeting landlords and property management companies.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to report a decisive litigation victory on behalf of its clients, the property owners and manager of a historic building in New York City. Partner John Cofresi and Senior Counsel David Incle's legal prowess as well as exceptional motion briefing led to a complete dismissal of all claims in this multi-plaintiff action arising from a catastrophic ceiling collapse that exposed the defendants to more than $10 million in potential liability.