Hunter, Smith & Davis Working with Sullivan County Animal Shelter
The Sullivan County Animal Shelter has now reopened and has pets available for adoption. The shelter is located at 380 Massengill Road in Blountville, and shelter hours are posted online.
Attorney Marcy Walker is assisting the county with the preparation of incorporation documents and applications for nonprofit designation. A new board of directors for the animal shelter is now in place and will assume responsibility for facility operations by the summer of 2019.
Marcy is an animal lover and has 2 dogs, Bella (Airedale Terrier, age 6) and River (Great Dane, age 3 1/2). River was rescued by the Humane Society and was very ill at the time that Marcy adopted her.
Contact Marcy or any member of the Corporate team for your business and real estate needs: Bill Argabrite , Mark Dessauer , Scott Powers , Mike Lattier or Jeannette Tysinger.
Featured Representative Case Outcomes
Fraud in Slip and Fall Case
Caroline Williams recently successfully represented a large-scale restaurant in a slip and fall case in which serious injuries were claimed. More specifically, the plaintiff claimed complex regional pain syndrome which allegedly caused complete and total disability.
Based upon evidence found through discovery, the restaurant countersued on the basis that the lawsuit was fraudulent. The restaurant prevailed and received a judgment against the plaintiff for attorney’s fees expended in defending the lawsuit.
Defense of Professional Liability Claim against Insurance Agent
Jim Humphreys served as lead counsel for an insurance agent in a case brought by a homeowner whose house was destroyed by fire. The homeowner’s claim was denied due to claim misrepresentation on the application for insurance. The homeowner alleged the insurance agent breached his agreement to fill out the application “accurately.” Under Virginia law, a claim for negligently performing professional services is a contract claim.
The Court conducted a jury trial on a single question: Was the application for the homeowner’s policy a written contract with the agent? The jury answered this question “No.” Based upon this jury finding and a three-year statute of limitations to the homeowner’s claim against the insurance agent, the Court dismissed the action against the insurance agent with prejudice.
Stephen M. Darden Reappointed as Managing Partner
Steve Darden was appointed as Managing Partner of Hunter, Smith & Davis at the firm’s recent annual meeting. This will be Steve’s second two-year term in the leadership role.
Steve is also Chair of the Labor & Employment practice group. Steve works with employers in an across-the-board employment practice, and in traditional labor matters as well.
Bill Argabrite previously served as managing partner for 11 years. Bill’s term ended with the firm’s centennial celebration in 2016, and he continues as an active partner in the firm with a focus on corporate and commercial transactions in the areas of banking, health care and real estate.