Maryland Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

James R. Chason, James F. Rosner, and Francis X. Leary have again been named Maryland Super Lawyers for 2010. While there are more than 32,000 lawyers in Maryland, only 5% of the total lawyers in Maryland are selected for inclusion. Erika Alsid Short has also again been named as a Maryland Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2010. No more than 2.5% of attorneys in Maryland are selected for inclusion in Rising Stars. www.superlawyers.com

James R Chason and James F. Rosner have been selected by their peers for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America ® in the specialties of Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law.

James R. Chason, James F. Rosner, and Francis X. Leary have been named Maryland Super Lawyers® for 2008. While there are more than 32,000 lawyers in Maryland, only 5% of the total lawyers in Maryland are selected for inclusion. Erika Alsid Short has been named as a Maryland Super Lawyers® 2008 Rising Star. No more than 2.5% of attorneys in Maryland are selected for inclusion in Rising Stars. Read this article at www.superlawyers.com. 

Current News

Chason, Rosner, Leary & Marshall LLC is pleased to announce that Dena M. Terra has been elected a partner of the firm.

James R. Chason and James F. Rosner have been selected for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialties of Commercial Litigation, Medical Malpractice Law and Professional Malpractice Law

Jessica P. Butkera has become associated with the firm. After completing a clerkship with the Honorable Audrey J.S. Carrion in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, Maryland, Jessica joined Chason, Rosner, Leary & Marshall in September. Jessica will focus her practice on general litigation, including medical malpractice, personal injury, workers' compensation, business and real estate disputes. View Jessica's bio here.

James R. Chason has been appointed to the State Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

James R. Chason obtained a dismissal in a medical malpractice case on the basis that the Plaintiff had not complied with the Health Claims statute by first filing in the Health Claims Alternative Dispute Resolution Office ("HCADRO"). The Plaintiff contended that a subsequent filing in the HCADRO conferred jurisdiction on the court. After a hearing, the Circuit Court dismissed the case.

On November 15, 2008, attorneys and staff of Chason, Rosner, Leary & Marshall participated inthe St. John Foundation Baltimore Crossroads@95 5K Cross-Country Challenge in support of the Baltimore County Police Athletic League ("PAL"). Erika Alsid Short is a member of the PAL Board of Directors. Baltimore County PAL is a non-profit organization that provides a safe, constuctive alternative to youth with the positive goals of preventing juvenile crime, reducing juvenile recidivism and increasing community partnership.

Legal Victories

Raymond L. Marshall, Esquire and Erika Alsid Short, Esquire obtained a $490,000.00 verdict in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County on behalf of their client in a dispute alleging civil conspiracy and aiding and abetting.

James R. Chason, Esquire and Erika Alsid Short, Esquire recently obtained summary judgment on behalf of their client, a local hospital, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City.  The plaintiff claimed that, while she was a patient in the hospital, construction was ongoing in the room directly above her and debris and water dripped near her.  She claimed emotional distress and other physical injuries.  The Motion for Summary Judgment was based upon several factors, including that plaintiff’s emotional injuries were likely caused by personal issues rather than any negligence by the hospital. 

Francis “Skip” Leary, Esquire and Dena M. Terra, Esquire recently completed a 3 ½ week jury trial before the Honorable Carol E. Smith in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City on behalf of a local hepatobiliary surgeon.  The plaintiff, who underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer, suffered postoperative complications which he claimed were due to negligence by the surgeon.  After 3 weeks of testimony and 5 days of deliberation, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision as to the physician’s liability and a mistrial was entered.

James F. Rosner, Esquire recently obtained a verdict in favor of a young woman who had been sexually abused by her father for years. The Judge entered an award in favor of our client in the amount of $11,000,000.

Pro Bono News

Raymond L. Marshall, Esquire was awarded the “James F. Rosner Award for Advocacy” by the ARC of Baltimore at their Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on May 7, 2008.  This award recognizes a law student, social work student or attorney who has demonstrated remarkable commitment and pro bono services on behalf of persons with developmental disabilities.  For the fourth consecutive year, Ray also received a Pro Bono Service Appreciation Award from ARC of Baltimore. 

James F. Rosner, Esquire was also awarded a Pro Bono Service Appreciation Award from the ARC of Baltimore at their Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony on May 7, 2008.  The award is presented to attorneys who give their time and expertise on behalf of ARC-supported individuals with developmental disabilities.  This is the 15th consecutive year that Jim has received this award. 

Erika Alsid Short, Esquire recently argued before the highest court in Maryland, the Court of Appeals, on behalf of a death row inmate, Jody Lee Miles, regarding a constitutional challenge to the sentencing portion of the Maryland death penalty statute.  Erika, who was appointed by the United States District Court for the District of Maryland to work on the case, along with lead counsel, Robert Biddle, argued that, under the 2007 Supreme Court opinion, Cunningham v. California, the weighing of aggravating and mitigating factors should be conducted by a jury based on a "beyond a reasonable doubt" standard, and not under the current standard of merely "a preponderance of the evidence".