Recent News & Announcements
Ed Harper inducted into San Clemente High School Golf Hall of Fame
Posted Tuesday, September 22, 2009.
On September 18, 2009, Ed was inducted into the SCHS Golf Hall of Fame. Ed, who graduated in 1981 from SCHS was introduced by SCHS Golf Coach, Mike Hurlburt.
Some notable achievements for Ed include:
• Graduated SCHS – 1981- South Coast League Champion (individual) in 1981 as a Senior
• Graduated USC – 1987 with Double Major – History and International Relations
• Graduated Thomas Jefferson University College of Law 1991
• Member of CA and WA Bars – as a practicing attorney since December 1991.
USC Highlights:
• Played as Co-Captain on 1986 USC – Pac-10 Champion Team. Came in 6th as an individual at the 1986 Pac-10 Championship event. USC finished 8th in the NCAA in 1986 as well.
• Academic All-American in 1986 while starting for two years at USC after playing at Saddleback.
• Played at Saddleback in 1982 and 1983 winning the individual League Championship each year under Bill Cunerty. We were CA State Community College Champions in 1983. I placed T-3rd individually.
• Worked as Assistant Coach 1986 – 1987 for USC’s Golf Team.
Jury Awards $5.86 Million for Brain Injury
Posted Tuesday, June 02, 2009.
May 27, 2009, Seattle, WA
A King County jury awarded $5.86 Million to a Washington man injured in a head-on collision. The client suffered a fractured leg, various contusions and a brain injury causing him to remain in a coma for several days following the accident. The seriousness of plaintiff’s brain injury was the central issue in the claim.
Defendant’s vehicle was insured by PEMCO with a policy limit of $1.25 Million. Plaintiff made a policy limit demand at mediation but it was rejected by the insurer. At the same time, PEMCO assured its driver that in the event of an excess verdict, it would pay “any amount awarded.”
Plaintiff’s attorney, Ed Harper of Kirkland, recognized that PEMCO’s assurance to its driver meant that there was no cap on potential recovery. He asked Rick Friedman of Friedman | Rubin to join him for the trial.
Friedman recognized that the difficulty with the case was getting the jury to recognize the seriousness of the client’s brain injury despite his retained intellectual capacity and communicative skills. At the same time, it was necessary to counter the defense strategy which sought to blame the client.
Friedman’s strategy was straightforward. In addition to the medical and psychological experts, the focus at trial would be the testimony of friends, family, and others, who could shed light on the client’s mental deficits. In-depth interviews of parents, friends and others revealed telling examples of his mental abilities before and after the accident. These stories supported the expert testimony indicating that while the client substantially retained his native intelligence, he now has great difficulty with memory, concentration, and multi-tasking.
Facing Harper and Friedman at trial caused PEMCO to re-evaluate its settlement position. Having previously rejected plaintiff’s $1.25 demand at mediation, PEMCO offered $2 Million as the trial got underway. As the trial proceeded, PEMCO upped its offer to $2.5 Million. These offers were considered but were allowed to expire as Harper and Friedman concentrated on delivering a better result. After a two week trial, the jury returned a fair verdict.
Last updated on Friday, October 30, 2009 at 9:10:44 AM GMT.
JURIST - This Day at Law
Jack Ruby convicted for murder of JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald
On March 14, 1964, nightclub owner Jack Ruby was convicted of the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, who had presumably assassinated President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Ruby was sentenced to death. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Ruby's conviction in October 1966 and ordered a new trial citing improperly admitted testimony and an improper venue in the original proceeding, but
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