News Archive

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to share the addition of Dan Fox as a partner in the firm's New York office. A respected trial attorney, he is known for his creative approach to complex litigation, Fox brings a formidable track record in high-stakes property damage and construction defect matters.

In a major legal victory showcasing the success of strategic risk transfer, WSHB attorneys, Senior Associate Matthew Lavoie and Senior Counsel Brad Sessa, successfully secured summary judgment against three third-party defendants in a high-exposure Labor Law case. The court's 26-page decision also dismissed all cross and counter claims, fully validating the firm's risk transfer strategy and contractual interpretation.

WSHB proudly announces that two of its visionary founders, Dan Berman and Stephen Henning, have been named to the prestigious Los Angeles Business Journal's 2025 LA500 list. This annual honor recognizes the 500 most influential leaders who are shaping the future of the Greater Los Angeles region. The award is particularly meaningful for Berman, as this marks his fourth inclusion in the LA500. Henning adds this accolade as a Top 100 Lawyer in both 2024 and 2025, as well as the LABJ Community Impact Award recipient received earlier this year.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share that partner Frances O'Meara has been recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as a 2025 Woman of Influence in the "Attorney" category. This prestigious honor celebrates women leaders in the legal profession who have made significant contributions to their clients, communities, and the advancement of the industry. She was also recently named CLM Professional of the Year in the Outside Defense Counsel Category 2025.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly congratulates partner and senior trial analyst Jade Tran on being named a 2025 Woman of Influence in the '"Attorney" category by the Los Angeles Business Journal. This honor recognizes women attorneys who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, professional achievements, and influence within the legal community. 

WSHB is thrilled to announce that after a three-week jury trial in Kern County, a jury returned an extremely favorable verdict in favor of our client. The client and the carrier are extremely pleased with the result. The case was handled by partner Summit Dhillon over the last four years, with support from trial expert and fellow partner David Webster.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly announces that founding partner Stephen Henning was awarded the prestigious Legend of an Era Award at the West Coast Casualty Construction Defect Seminar, held May 15-16, 2025, at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California.

WSHB is proud to announce a significant appellate win achieved by partner Richard Singer, in a case involving complex issues surrounding forced place insurance policies. The decision by Florida's Third District Court of Appeal affirms the trial court's dismissal of a borrower's claim for lack of standing and delivers critical guidance on the rights of borrowers under lender-placed insurance policies.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to announce that Garry Stevens, a seasoned litigation attorney, has joined the firm as a partner with extensive experience in complex commercial litigation, securities litigation and arbitration, employment disputes, and a diverse range of professional liability matters.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly announce that founding partner Stephen Henning has been recognized once again as one of the Los Angeles Business Journal's Top 100 Lawyers for 2025. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights his outstanding leadership, legal expertise, and significant contributions to the legal profession. Additionally, Henning was singled out for the prestigious Community Service Impact Award, underscoring his dedication to public service and community leadership.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that Dhvanil "Neil" Zaveri has joined the firm as a partner in its Birmingham, Alabama office. A seasoned trial attorney with a broad litigation background, Zaveri brings a wealth of experience in insurance coverage, construction law, and complex commercial litigation.

In a significant win for WSHB, partner Ryan Schoeb and associate Jonathan Garvin successfully obtained an order of dismissal in a high-exposure negligent security case stemming from a shooting at a commercial shopping center in Miami, Florida. The plaintiff, who was left paralyzed from the waist down after the incident, alleged that he was shot during a robbery gone wrong while on the property owned and managed by the client.

Led by partners Michelle Birtja and David Rubaum, Wood Smith Henning & Berman secured an excellent outcome for an orthopedic surgeon client following arbitration in a contentious medical malpractice case. The matter centered on allegations that a total right hip revision in 2019 was negligently performed, specifically regarding the surgeon's decision to retain some of the hardware over the course of five surgeries.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that partner Chris Seusing will return as a professor and serve as Provost, alongside Dave Rock, Chief Claims Officer for Trium Cyber U.S. Services, at the upcoming ClaimsAcademy, presented by ClaimsXchange. The event will take place July 16-17, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Chicago Riverwalk.

WSHB proudly announces another significant trial victory, achieved by partner Ryan Schoeb, who successfully defended a large commercial property owner and property manager in a high-stakes negligence suit. The trial, held in Palm Beach County, Florida, culminated in a directed verdict, effectively dismissing the plaintiff's claim during jury proceedings.

WSHB is proud to announce that a Harris County District Court granted summary judgment in favor of the client, a real estate development company, dismissing all claims in a premises liability lawsuit alleging permanent injury. This decisive victory comes amid a sharp rise in nuclear verdicts, jury awards exceeding $10 million, in Harris County and across Texas.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is thrilled to announce Frances O'Meara, partner and nationally recognized attorney, has been named the 2025 CLM Professional of the Year - Outside Defense Counsel Category. This prestigious award recognizes France's outstanding contributions to claims and litigation management, her commitment to mentorship and education, and her dedication to advancing diversity and collaboration in the legal industry. 

It is with great pride that Wood Smith Henning & Berman announces Catherine Deter, a nationally recognized litigation attorney, has been named the CLM Professional of the Year - Outside Defense Counsel Young Professional. This outstanding honor showcases her exceptional contributions to the legal profession.

In a high-stakes liability case, Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) delivered a decisive summary judgment victory, protecting its client from a meritless claim and underscoring the power of precision litigation strategy.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share a successful motion for summary judgment for its client in a dental malpractice suit. Led by New York partner Jeremy Chen, the case involved allegations of pain, neuralgia, bone loss and infection stemming from the removal of a dental implant, the preparation for the placement of a new implant and subsequent treatment. The court ruled in favor of our client, granting summary judgment on the grounds that Plaintiff's claims were time-barred under New York's statute of limitations.

In a remarkable culmination of legal perseverance, trial attorney Philip Grennan of Wood Smith Henning & Berman triumphed in a fiercely contested racial discrimination trial that spanned over two grueling months. Described by Grennan as “the craziest and most challenging trial I’ve ever had in 40 years of practice,” this case underscores the exceptional dedication and expertise that WSHB brings to its clients.

A federal judge in Arizona has dismissed a data breach class action, ruling that the plaintiffs lacked standing and failed to state a claim despite multiple attempts to amend their complaint. The Wood Smith Henning & Berman defense team comprised of partners Chris Seusing, John Darminio, and senior associate Sean Patel, successfully defended the client in this multi-faceted and complex case. The decision was not only a critical victory for the client, but also serves as important precedent, reinforcing that courts can and will strike class allegations at the pleading stage, an action they have historically been reluctant to take.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman obtained a decisive victory for a large financial institution in a data breach class action, leading to the voluntary dismissal of the case in Nebraska State Court. The lawsuit, which alleged violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), was withdrawn after the WSHB team, consisting of partner Chris Seusing and senior associate Sean Patel, demonstrated that the named plaintiff was not an adequate class representative.

WSHB successfully secured a summary judgment in favor of its client in a high-stakes premises liability case in Florida. The plaintiff alleged that an optical illusion of a handrail on a sloped landscaped area caused a fall, resulting in over $400,000 in medical expenses and lasting physical limitations. Despite a $2.5 million demand from the plaintiff, WSHB's partners Ryan Schoeb and Zachary Williams, along with senior associate Kyle Woodford, prevailed by crafting a compelling legal argument that convinced the court to dismiss the case entirely.

Catherine Deter, a trailblazer in the legal industry and previously named Phenom Under 40 by CLM, is now being considered for the prestigious CLM Professional of the Year Award- Outside Counsel Young Professional. This recognition highlights her outstanding contributions to the claims and litigation community, including exceptional leadership, and an unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation of female attorneys.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share a hard-fought victory for the defense, with senior counsel Megan Michaud successfully arguing a motion for summary judgment in a complex premises liability case. The outcome is particularly noteworthy given the challenges of prevailing on summary judgment in negligence cases, especially given the serious nature of the plaintiff's alleged injuries.

WSHB is proud to announce that powerhouse litigator and trusted advocate, Frances O'Meara, has been named a finalist in the CLM Professional of the Year Award in the Outside Defense Counsel category for 2025. This recognition places O'Meara among the top legal minds in the field of litigation, honoring their dedication, innovation, and ability to tackle complex litigation with skill and strategy.

WSHB is pleased to welcome trial litigator Christine Atwood as a new partner in the Dallas office. Licensed to practice in Texas, Nevada and Colorado, federal courts in Nevada and Colorado, Atwood has built a distinguished career successfully handling complex, high-stakes litigation and disputes across a variety of jurisdictions. That experience includes being the lead attorney on hundreds of party and expert depositions, trying more than a dozen jury trials to verdict, and repeatedly securing favorable defense outcomes for clients in matters with multi-million-dollar exposure.

New York's legal and insurance systems have long been fertile ground for exploitation, but recent revelations from a court filing by Tradesman Insurance provides an inside look at how a sophisticated construction accident fraud scheme has allegedly operated. The plaintiffs allege that the defendants- comprised of corrupt runner-claimants, attorneys, medical providers, and litigation funders- are orchestrating a wide-ranging criminal enterprise to stage construction accidents. From these false accidents the defendants file fraudulent claims, and reap millions of dollars in settlements, workers' compensation benefits, and litigation funding. This article explores the details of how this criminal enterprise operates.

In today's 24/7 information era, the influence of media on jurors is more intrusive than ever before. What began historically as sensational newspaper coverage in the early 1900's has evolved into a world dominated by social media, algorithm-generated content, and an endless stream of information at jurors' fingertips. For legal professionals, this presents significant challenges. Jurors arrive at the courthouse already influenced by external narratives, biases and often misinformation. This article explores the intersection of media and jury behavior, highlighting trends that attorneys must contend with and offers practical strategies to ensure that the judicial system is not undermined by the reach of the social media.

In a high-stakes personal injury case involving multiple alleged defendants and complex discovery battles, the legal team at Wood Smith Henning & Berman, led by partner Keith Smith, secured a decisive resolution in favor of the client on the footsteps of the courthouse just prior to the commencement of trial. The defense successfully dismantled the plaintiff's claim resolving the original $1.5 million claim to a settlement of only $50,000, and less than a previously issued 998 offer to compromise in the case.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly announce another trial victory achieved by partner Ryan Schoeb and senior associate Olivia Rosenthal, who successfully defended a local construction company in a negligence suit, culminating in an involuntary dismissal during a bench trial

With a career spanning over 30 years and a reputation for excellence in civil litigation defense, Michael Kowalski has joined WSHB's Riverside office. His extensive experience across diverse legal areas, including first and third-party claims, SIU investigations, catastrophic personal injury, construction defect and construction disputes, enhances the firm's ability to deliver top-tier legal solutions to clients.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman announces a significant victory in a case involving a fraudulent accident at a work site. Senior associate, Megan McDonough, successfully secured a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice after uncovering critical evidence that revealed false claims made by the plaintiff about an alleged workplace accident.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a significant victory in a highly contentious lead paint action. Partner Bolam Kim and senior associate Lauren Davies successfully defeated the plaintiff's motion for summary judgment on liability and prevailed on a cross motion to dismiss the claims against the individual defendants.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is excited to share that managing partner Fred Vasquez, has been selected for inclusion in the Los Angeles Business Journal's Leaders of Influence: Minority Attorneys section, published on January 20, 2025. This recognition highlights Mr. Vasquez's exemplary contributions to the legal profession and his impact as a leader in Southern California's legal community.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce that Sheila Fix, a partner in the firm's Glendale, California, office, has been selected for the Los Angeles Business Journal's prestigious Woman of Influence in Construction, Engineering, and Architecture. The January 20, 2025 issue will feature Sheila among a distinguished group of women who had made significant contributions to their industries through significant expertise, leadership, and innovation.

Demonstrating legal expertise and strategic precision, the Chicago office of WSHB secured a significant victory in a contentious slip-and-fall case, winning summary judgment on behalf of a prominent property management company. Leading the charge was senior associate, Jon Kangwa, who successfully argued that the plaintiff's claims were barred by the "open and obvious" doctrine- a challenging defense to prevail upon in Illinois courts.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce the promotion of twelve exceptional attorneys to partnership, effective January 1, 2025. Representing a wide range of practice areas, geographic regions, and backgrounds, this diverse group of new partners exemplifies WSHB's commitment to innovation, excellence, and inclusion. 

Wood Smith Henning & Berman proudly announces the largest class of Senior Counsel promotions in its history, elevating 37 exceptional attorneys to this prestigious role in 2025. This achievement reflects the firm's continued commitment to recognizing exceptional legal talent and its dedication to achieving real results for its clients across all practice areas

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share that partners Michelle Arbitrio and Molly Wilcox successfully defended their clients in a significant public procurement dispute, securing the dismissal of all claims. In a decision affirming the trial court's ruling, the Connecticut Appellate Court determined that the plaintiff lacked standing to pursue its claims, setting a key precedent for cases involving unsuccessful bidders in government contracting.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is pleased to share a significant legal victory in a case led by partner Nicholas Donzuso and senior associate Lauren Vicencio, securing a motion for summary judgment for the client in a complex personal injury case in Philadelphia.

WSHB is pleased to announce its Raleigh office has been bolstered with the addition of  litigation partner Robin Seelbach. With an exemplary track record in securing exceptional outcomes, both in early case resolutions and at trial, Seelbach is widely recognized for his remarkable proficiency in the realms of all facets of complex civil litigation, spanning from construction, bad faith, transportation and professional liability matters.

In a major victory for the defense, the California Court of Appeal affirmed a summary judgment in favor of WSHB's client involving a significant injury case brought by a longshoreman who was injured at the Port of Long Beach. The plaintiff, who alleged a traumatic brain injury and orthopedic injuries after his rig tipped over while hauling cargo at the Port, originally sought $20 million in damages. This appellate decision marks a rare complete dismissal in this high-stakes area of law.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman has achieved a full defense victory in a complex FINRA arbitration, securing a complete dismissal of claims against its client, a seasoned investment advisor. The case, which was by led by partner Michelle Arbitrio and senior associate Seth Bursky, involved claims that the advisor breached his fiduciary duty by making unsuitable investment recommendations. However, the FINRA arbitration panel found the advisor's investment strategy to be both suitable and prudent, given the claimant's stated investment objectives and market conditions.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is honored to announce its recognition as a Tier 1 law firm in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms® by Best Lawyers^®, achieving top-tier rankings across seven metropolitan regions and six practice areas. This prestigious recognition underscores the firm's unwavering commitment to excellence and its outstanding performance across diverse legal disciplines.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman, LLP is proud to announce that partner Catherine Deter has been awarded the prestigious CLM's Phenoms Under 40 Award. This honor recognizes her exceptional contributions to the legal field, and highlights her commitment to leadership, mentorship, and advancing diversity within the profession.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to announce a significant victory for the defense, celebrating a unanimous verdict in favor of a respected, world-renowned neurosurgeon in a high-profile medical malpractice case. Philadelphia partner, Andy Kessler, prevailed on behalf of the client after a hard fought eight-day trial.

The managing partner of Wood Smith Henning & Berman's Seattle office, Tim Repass, has secured back-to-back success in yet another high-profile jury trial. Repass successfully defended a housing authority in an important premises case in which an elderly tenant claimed $2.2 million in damages after a fall on an icy surface. Ultimately, the jury awarded less than one-fifth of the amount claimed, agreeing with our analysis.

Wood Smith Henning & Berman is proud to share that founding partner Kevin Smith has been selected as the San Diego Business Journal's 2024 Leader of Influence in Law. This prestigious honor, awarded after a highly competitive selection process, places Smith among an elite group of legal professionals in the area.