As we approach the end of 2021, we reflect back on another successful year and recognize all for which we have to be grateful. We have navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrated personal and professional milestones, and emerged stronger than ever. We appreciate the support that our friends, families and clients continue to provide us, and renew our promise to pay it forward every opportunity we have. Here’s a quick recap of some additional 2021 highlights as we prepare to turn the calendar page.
Happy Holidays, and a Healthy New Year !
Your Friends and Colleagues at Denlea & Carton.
Culminating a four year battle, the Firm recently obtained a complete dismissal of a lawsuit against the USTA seeking to recover damages for alleged racial discrimination and negligent hiring. Begun shortly after the 2017 US Open, the action spanned three different courtrooms, and was hotly contested in each. Congrats to Amber Wallace and Jeff Carton for their persistence and tenacity in securing the dismissal.
TopVerdict.Com recently announced that the Ford Class Action achieved by the Firm on behalf of Ford F-Truck owners concerning door latches that fail to operate in freezing weather was one of the Top 50 Class Action Settlements in the United States. The action resolved for more than $5 million, and provides a 10-year extended warranty to Ford owners nationwide. We’re thrilled to be recognized for our efforts on behalf of consumers. We look forward to 2022 and our continued prosecution of class actions against Slim-Fast, Chrysler Financial and National Floors Direct.
The Firm had five attorneys recognized by their peers as “Super Lawyers,” and our practice was recognized as one of US News and World’s Reports “Best Law Firms” in the area of Commercial Litigation. Jim and Jeff were also honored again as “Elite Lawyers,” and “Top 100 Trial Lawyers.” These individual awards are never possible without the tireless commitment of the entire Firm’s staff, and is a reflection of their outstanding efforts week in and week out.
On the eve of trial, we secured a favorable settlement in a commercial, breach of contract matter for a producer of construction materials who was owed almost $3 million by a customer. Taking an aggressive approach from the outset, we fought to have the matter quickly placed on the trial calendar of the Commercial Division of the Westchester Supreme Court, and then moved to dismiss the defendant’s primary defense. With the defendant having virtually no defense and facing trial in less than one week, we were able to secure victory for our client, through a negotiated settlement, secured with a personal guaranty from the defendant’s principal, who was not even a party to the lawsuit.
The Firm is delighted to have made several generous donations to worthy causes in the Westchester Community as we approach the Holiday giving season. These include:
The Nichols Center, an entity providing daily support to over 100 individuals with autism;
Cardinal McCloskey Community Services, a non-profit social service agency that provides services to some of the most vulnerable members of our communities including children in foster care, low- income families and developmentally disabled adults; and White Plains Police Benevolent Association, which supports our law enforcement members.
Culminating a four year legal battle, we are pleased to announce that the Firm secured an appellate victory that reversed a lower court ruling and dismissed all claims against a long-time client. Jeffrey I. Carton and Amber T. Wallace represented an employer whose seasonal employee was accused by a guest of engaging in race-based misconduct. Originally filed in federal court alleging racial discrimination in a public accommodation, we secured a swift dismissal of all of the putative federal claims. The action was then refiled in State Court, restyled as an alleged negligent hiring action, which the lower court erroneously failed to dismiss. On appeal, the Second Department reversed the lower court’s denial, and granted dismissal of all claims against our client, and awarded our client its appellate costs.
Congratulations to Jeff and Amber for this well-earned success that spanned four years and three different courtrooms.
The Title Insurance Law Newsletter, the authoritative source of land title industry litigation news since 1992, recently profiled a victory the Firm obtained on behalf of its client First American Title Insurance, Co. A link to the article can be found here: Title Insurance Law Newsletter Congrats to Steve Schoenfeld on his excellent advocacy, and for having his “careful documentation” recognized.
Denlea & Carton LLP secured a favorable settlement on behalf of a commercial client in a breach of contract matter. James R. Denlea, Amber Wallace and Craig Cepler represented a producer of construction materials who was owed almost $3 million by a customer. Taking an aggressive approach from the outset, we fought to have the matter expeditiously placed on the trial calendar of the Commercial Division of the Westchester Supreme Court. Once it was scheduled, we successfully brought a motion in limine that resulted in the Court dismissing the defendant’s primary defense. With the defendant having virtually no defense and facing trial in less than one week, we were able to secure victory for our client through a negotiated settlement. We even obtained a personal guaranty from the defendant’s principal, who was not a party to the lawsuit.
Denlea & Carton LLP achieved this successful result for our client by creatively focusing on the client’s needs for an efficient and cost-effective resolution of the dispute, and aggressively moving to have the defendant’s defenses dismissed pretrial.
We are pleased to announce that five lawyers from our firm have been recognized in the 2021 edition of New York Metro Super Lawyers. Selected for this honor are Jim Denlea, Jeff Carton, John Leifert, and Craig Cepler. In addition, Amber Wallace has been selected to the 2021 Super Lawyers New York Metro “Rising Stars” list. Each year, no more than five percent of the lawyers in the State are selected to receive these honors. Congrats to all of the honorees!
