Representing plaintiffs
Seven-figure settlement in a will contest. An intellectually disabled man was grievously injured in a traffic accident with a commercial vehicle, which resulted in a multimillion-dollar settlement prior to Mayer & Harper’s involvement in the case. Following the settlement, one of the man’s sisters isolated and systematically alienated him from their other two siblings. After the man died, it was revealed that this sister had positioned herself as power of attorney and primary beneficiary of his will, which he would have been incapable of reading. Incredibly, she had also videotaped the signing of the will, which showed that no one told him he was signing a will nor did anyone read it to him. After surviving summary judgment, the case settled for a strong seven figures.
$750,000 settlement in a case involving a drunk driver. Our client, a well-known bartender, was involved in a car accident with a drunk driver and suffered numerous injuries, including a broken leg. Given her profession, the severity of her injuries and extended recovery time were particularly damaging, and the defendant’s insurer settled for $750,000.
Confidential settlement for an employee of a publicly traded company who was sexually assaulted by a colleague during an out-of-town training event. Beyond the assault itself, there was evidence that a supervisor had engineered the situation that left the employee unprotected and vulnerable. The Court deemed that this was not a condition of employment and that there was no Worker's Compensation bar. After surviving motions, the case settled for a substantial confidential sum.
Confidential settlement for a minority partner forced out of his role in a car dealership. The dealership saw him as an employee, but because of his partnership status, a fiduciary duty was owed. Representing the plaintiff, Randy Mayer settled the case for a confidential sum after several years of arbitration.
Confidential personal injury settlement in a harrowing automobile accident. Our client was "pitted" by the defendant driver, causing her to lose control of her car, cross a median and be struck by a MARTA bus, which ran off the road as the bus driver tried to avoid her. Our client was incredibly fortunate to have survived. The case settled for a confidential and substantial sum.
$535,000 personal injury settlement for a client who sustained injuries that directly impacted her employment. A dental assistant was injured in an automobile accident and sustained a broken hand and thumb, which prevented her from working for a substantial period of time. Her $350,000 settlement covered her treatment costs and compensated her for her lost income, pain and suffering.
$300,000 personal injury case settled before filing suit. A postal worker was injured in an auto accident involving a commercial vehicle. The defendant company wanted to avoid suit and settled for $300,000 before filing.
representing defendants
Following a tragic accident, a client was sued for striking and killing a pedestrian. Though the client had substantial insurance coverage, counsel for the deceased’s estate was aware that he was in a high-income profession with significant personal assets and insisted on payment beyond the limits of the insurance. The evidence was conflicting as to whether the pedestrian was in a crosswalk, and there was further evidence that he was walking erratically and may have been impaired. Given all of the factors, the defendant rejected the claim for excess funds, and the deceased’s estate decided not to risk the insurance proceeds at trial and settled the case.
mediation & arbitration
In addition to his litigation work, Randy Mayer maintains a busy mediation and arbitration practice. Recent cases settled include:
Mediation - A sports agent was introduced to a professional athlete by a mutual friend. Although he was not registered as an agent, the mutual friend wanted a part of the initial agency fee on the theory that, without the introduction, the agent would never have gotten the contract with the athlete. Despite stringent opposition from both parties, Randy settled the case at mediation for a confidential sum.
Mediation – In one of the most difficult and longest running mediations of his career, Randy settled a bitter dispute among affluent social acquaintances accusing each other of defamation, sexual harassment, battery and deceptive trade practices, among other things. Though the case was highly contentious and, at times, surreal, Randy was able to guide the parties toward a confidential settlement agreement and close the case.
Mediation - A businessman purchased a competitor's defaulted promissory note from a commercial creditor for a substantially discounted price and subsequently sought to recover the full $9,000,000 from the competitor (who was also his former partner). By the time of the mediation, the rancor between the two parties was considerable, and millions had been spent in attorneys' fees. The mediation covered two sessions and several weeks but was finally resolved to the satisfaction of the parties.