Bryant Spann secured a defense verdict on behalf of 3M Company on November 16, 2023, in the First Circuit Court of Hawaii. Bryant tried the case with Zandra Foley of Thompson Coe in Houston; Nancy Erfle of Gordon Rees in Portland; Thom Benedict of Farm Benedict & Sugihara in Honolulu; and Mike Brooks of Wells Anderson & Race in Denver. The case involved defense of a 3M certified respirator against claims that defects in the respirator were responsible for an insulation worker’s mesothelioma. After a trial lasting two and a half weeks, the jury returned a defense verdict on all counts.
Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC Proud to Have 3 Lawyers Recognized in the Best Lawyers in America® and One Lawyer Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024 Editions
Three lawyers from Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC were recognized in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Susan Robinson was named the Best Lawyers® 2024 Criminal Defense: White Collar "Lawyer of the Year" in Charleston, WV. "Lawyer of the Year" honors are awarded annually to only one lawyer per practice area in each region with extremely high overall feedback from their peers, making it an exceptional distinction.
David Griffith was included in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commericial Litigation. Mr. Griffith, who is a Partner at Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC, has been included in these rankings every year since 2015.
Partner Andy Cook was also included in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Mr. Cooke was recognized for his work in Commericial Litigation and also in Product Liability Litigation – Defendants.
For the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, more than 13.7 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 76,000 leading lawyers included in the milestone 30th edition.
Another partner at Thomas Combs & Spann, Aaron Arthur, was included in the 2024 edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America. Aaron was selected by his peers for inclusion in the fourth edition of the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America for his work in Commercial Litigation.
For the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, more than 2.4 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 25,000 lawyers honored in the new edition.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers recognitions are compiled based on an exhaustive Purely Peer Review® evaluation. More than 123,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received more than 20 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world.
Daniel Higginbotham Wins Product Liability Case Areas
Daniel Higginbotham received a defense verdict on behalf of Johnson & Johnson and subsidiary Ethicon, Inc. on July 1, 2022, in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Daniel tried the case with Heather Perkins, a partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Denver, and Amy Pepke, a partner at Butler Snow in Memphis, Tennessee.
The case, styled Shostrom v. Ethicon, Inc. et al., involved a medical device manufactured by Ethicon. The plaintiff alleged the device was defectively designed, contained inadequate warnings, and caused her permanent, disfiguring injuries. She asserted six causes of action.
After a two-week trial before the Honorable William J. Martinez, the jury unanimously rejected all six of the plaintiff’s claims and returned a verdict in favor of Johnson & Johnson and Ethicon. The jury deliberated for less than one hour before reaching its verdict.
Bryant Spann Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers
Charleston, WV 03/07/2022 – Bryant Spann has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.
The induction ceremony at which Bryant became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 603 during the recent Spring Meeting of the College in Coronado, California.
Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship.
Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice.
Bryant is a partner at Thomas Combs and Spann, PLLC, and has been practicing in Charleston, West Virginia for 20 years. The newly inducted Fellow is an alumnus of the University of Georgia School of Law.
Thomas Combs & Spann Awarded First Tier Rankings Again For 2022 By U.S. News - Best Lawyers® In Charleston In Two Practice Areas
Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC is pleased to announce that The Best Lawyers in
America® has once again recognized the firm as a Tier 1 firm in Charleston in the 12th
Edition of “Best Law Firms”.
In a recent collaborative press release dated November 4, 2021, U.S. News & World
Report and Best Lawyers® awarded Thomas Combs & Spann Metropolitan Tier 1
rankings for Charleston, West Virginia in two areas - Antitrust Law and Commercial
Litigation.
Firms receiving tier designation in the 2022 edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers®
indicate the highest level of respect a firm can earn among clients and other leading
lawyers from their communities and practice areas. Through this rigorous and
discerning ranking process, firms are recognized for a combination of professional
expertise and quality law practice.
The 2022 U.S. News - Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” rankings can be viewed
by visiting bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
Thomas Combs & Spann Lawyers Recognized By Best Lawyers® In The 2022 Edition
Partners Susan Robinson and David Griffith were recently selected to be included in the 28th
Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Ms. Robinson has once again been recognized for her
work in Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Since 2018, she has recurrently been selected by her
peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America®. Mr. Griffith has consistently been named in
the practice area of Commercial Litigation each year since 2015.
Symbolizing legal excellence for more than 40 years, Best Lawyers® recognition is regarded as a
credible measure of legal integrity and professionalism. For the 2022 Edition, attorneys selected for
inclusion in Best Lawyers® were compiled based on extensive peer-review evaluations from more
than 10.8 million top attorneys. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed;
therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers® is considered a highly remarkable honor.
Attorney Ashley Deem once again received recognition as a 2022 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
for her work in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants. She has been included in the
Second Edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch
recognizes attorneys who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in
private practice.
Thomas Combs & Spann applauds the remarkable efforts of Ms. Robinson, Mr. Griffith and Ms.
Deem, and congratulates them all on this honorable recognition.
U.S. News - Best Lawyers® Awards Thomas Combs & Spann A First Tier Ranking In Charleston In Two Practice Areas For 2021
Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC is pleased to announce that U.S. News - Best
Lawyers® has recognized the firm as a Tier 1 firm in Charleston in the 11 th Edition of
"Best Law Firms".
In a recent "Best Law Firms" press release dated November 5, 2020, Thomas Combs &
Spann received Metropolitan Tier 1 rankings for Charleston, West Virginia in the areas
of Antitrust Law and Commercial Litigation.
Through a rigorous evaluation process, U.S. News - Best Lawyers® recognizes
firms for their professional excellence. To achieve this top distinction, firms must
consistently earn high ratings from other peer lawyers and clients within their
metropolitan area and within their areas of practice. During this discerning review
process, Tier 1 recognition is reserved exclusively for the highest scoring firms.
Achieving a tiered ranking signals a distinctive combination of quality in the practice of
law and an extensive scope of legal expertise.
Two Lawyers From Thomas Combs & Spann Recognized By Best Lawyers®
Partner David Griffith was recently selected for inclusion in the 27th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for his work in Commercial Litigation.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers® lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Almost 108,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received over 13 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. For the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®, 9.4 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 67,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers® is considered a singular honor.
Ashley Deem received a 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognition for her work in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants. She has been included in the inaugural edition of 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Using peer review methodology, 2021 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch recognizes lawyers who are earlier in their careers for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
Thomas Combs & Spann applauds their remarkable efforts and congratulates David and Ashley on this honorable recognition.
Thomas Combs & Spann Attorneys Named 2020 WV Rising Stars By Super Lawyers
Partner Elizabeth Taylor was recently named a West Virginia 2020 Rising Star by Super Lawyers for her work in Products Liability Defense. Elizabeth has received this honorable recognition from Super Lawyers consecutively from 2013 through 2020.
Mitchell Tuggle was also awarded the distinction as a West Virginia 2020 Rising Star, making this the second year he has been recognized by Super Lawyers for his work in Products Liability Defense.
Rising Stars is a designation of top-rated practicing attorneys selected through extensive evaluation of 12 indicators of professional achievement and peer recognition. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. To be eligible for inclusion in Rising Stars, a candidate must be either 40 years old or younger, or in practice for 10 years or less.
Thomas Combs & Spann is proud of the recognition these attorneys have received, and highly commends them both for their outstanding work.
David Griffith Secures a Win at the 4th Circuit
In a unanimous decision issued December 26, 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed judgment entered following a bench trial by the Honorable Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., Senior U.S. District Judge, in favor of TCS' clients in a case arising out of the construction of a multi-million dollar FBI facility in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Judge Quattlebaum authored the published opinion, in which Judges Wynn and Rushing joined, applying West Virginia law to the parties' contract. A link to the Court's published opinion can be found here: Modern Mosaic v Turner - Published 4th Circuit Opinion.
Four Thomas Combs & Spann Lawyers Recognized in 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Four Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC lawyers were slected by their peers for recognition in the 2020 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®.
Firm Founder David Thomas was honored for his work in Bet-the-Company Litigation in Charleston, West Virginia. David also was recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Environmental.
Managing Partner Susan Robinson was recognized for her Criminal Defense – White Collar practice.
Partner David Griffith was recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation.
George G. Guthrie was cited in the area of Antitrust Law.
Thomas Combs & Spann commends their outstanding efforts and congratulates them on their honors.
Thomas Combs & Spann recognized by Chambers and Partners
The 2019 Chambers and Partners USA lawyer rankings have been published. The firm is ranked in Litigation: General Commercial and Litigation: Mass Tort.
This is what they had to say about the firm:
"Toxic tort and product liability are cornerstones of this Charleston-based litigation boutique. Key clients include pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Experienced with handling multidistrict litigation and ... financial services litigation and white-collar criminal defense."
Individual Thomas Combs & Spann lawyers, David Thomas, Philip Combs and Bryant Spann were recognized by the publication for their work on behalf of their clients.
Two Thomas Combs & Spann Lawyers Named to 2019 Super Lawyers
Thomson-Reuters, publishers of Super Lawyers has listed Bryant J. Spann and David B. Thomas in their 2019 rankings. Bryant was recognized for his work in Class Action/Mass Torts. David was honored for his work in the Personal Injury Products: Defense category.
Philip Combs, David Thomas and Gordon Mowen obtain Summary Judgment for Automobile Manufacturer
On February 8, 2019 BMW of North America, LLC was granted Summary Judgement in a Products Liability matter before the Honorable James J. Rowe in the Circuit Court of Nicholas County, West
Virginia. The Thomas Combs & Spann team along with lawyers from Bowman and Brooke in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan argued and won the Summary Judgment Motion based on a Statute of Limitations defense.
Bryant Spann Wins Defense Verdict in Massachusetts
December, 2018
After a three week trial, Bryant Spann and Curt Webb with the firm Beck Redden won a defense verdict in Suffolk Superior Court, Boston Massachusetts. Bryant, Curt and Zandra Foley of Thompson Coe defended a major respirator manufacturer against product liability claims brought by the estate and family of an asbestos worker who died of mesothelioma.
Thomas Combs & Spann Attorneys Honored by Super Lawyers
Three Thomas Combs partners were recognized by their peers in the 2018 Super Lawyers WV rankings for their expertise and achievement.
David Thomas has been named one of the top 10 lawyers in the state.
David Thomas and Bryant Spann have been ranked in the Personal Injury Products: Defense category.
Rob Akers has been named a Rising Star in the Personal Injury Products: Defense classification.
Thomas Combs & Spann Receives Tier 1 Regional Rankings in “Best Law Firms” by “U.S. News – Best Lawyers®"
Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC is pleased to announce that the firm again has been named a regionally ranked Tier 1 “Best Law Firm” in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers of America®.
For the third consecutive year, Thomas Combs & Spann received Tier 1 rankings for Charleston, West Virginia in the following practice areas:
Antitrust Law
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Environmental
Best Lawyers recognizes firms for professional excellence that receive consistently high ratings from clients and peers. To be eligible for ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the United States.
Three Thomas Combs & Spann partners were named in the 2019 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®: David Thomas (named “Lawyer of the Year” for bet-the-company litigation in Charleston WV and recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation and Litigation-Environmental”); Managing Partner Susan Robinson (Criminal Defense – White Collar); and David Griffith (Commercial Litigation).
Three Thomas Combs & Spann Partners Recognized in 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
Three Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC partners were selected by their peers for recognition in the 25th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® (2019).
Firm Founder David Thomas was named “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in Bet-the-Company Litigation in Charleston, West Virginia, a distinction awarded only to a single lawyer in a specific practice area and location. David also was recognized for his work in Commercial and Environmental Litigation.
Managing Partner Susan Robinson was honored for her work in Criminal Defense – White Collar.
Partner David Griffith was recognized for his work in Commercial Litigation.
Thomas Combs & Spann applauds their outstanding efforts and congratulates them on their honors.
Thomas Combs & Spann honored in recent Chambers USA publication.
Chambers USA has released their 2018 lawyers and law firm rankings. In the category Litigation: Mass Torts — Thomas Combs and Spann was named a Tier 1 firm in the Litigation: General Commercial — West Virginia category. Additionally, David Thomas was identified as Tier 1 lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Mass Torts. Phil Combs and Bryant Spann were also recognized in Commercial Litigation. This is what Chambers had to say about the firm:
What the team is known for Toxic tort and product liability are cornerstones of this Charleston-based litigation boutique. Key clients include pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Experienced in handling multidistrict litigation and also active on asbestos proceedings. Additionally, noted for its work in financial services litigation and white-collar criminal defense.
Work highlights Successfully defended 3M in two product liability trials relating to use of the company's respirators by coal miners who have since developed lung disease.
Acting for Johnson & Johnson, and its subsidiary Ethicon, in the ongoing pelvic mesh multidistrict litigation.
Notable practitioners
The "excellent" David Thomas is widely praised as a preeminent figure in this market. Acclaimed by sources as "a tier-one litigator," he is extensively involved in national toxic tort and mass tort cases. He also has experience representing professional services firms and major chemicals companies.
Philip Combs is noted by peers for his "good reputation," while clients enthusiastically rate him as an "excellent lawyer." He is most markedly praised for his extensive product liability expertise.
Bryant Spann maintains a broad litigation practice, with expertise in white-collar crime as well as product liability work. In the latter field, he has especially notable experience undertaking asbestos and respirator cases.
CVN's Top 10 Most Impressive Defense Verdicts of 2017
CVN's Top 10 Most Impressive Defense Verdicts of 2017
Posted by David Siegel on Jan 12, 2018 1:35:32 PM
Courtroom View Network's most impressive defense verdicts CVN covered in 2017. We didn't rank these just by the amount of money at stake, but also considered the facts of the case, the parties involved, and the potential broader impact of the verdict.
#4: Call v. Subaru
Design of SUV's fuel line found not to be the cause for fatal fire following head-on collision
Defense attorneys: Christopher Spencer, Adam Lounsbury (Spencer Shuford LLP), Philip Combs (Thomas Combs & Spann PLLC)
Link to video of the trial:
https://cvn.com/proceedings/call-et-al-v-subaru-trial-2017-01-23
Why it made the list:
A West Virginia state court jury determined last February that Subaru was not responsible for the deaths of three passengers who died in a fire after their 1999 Forester sport utility vehicle was struck in a head-on collision.
The proceedings took on a decidedly hands-on feel when attorneys began examining the front section of a Subaru Forester that had been cut off and transported to the tight confines of Judge Jennifer Bailey's fourth floor courtroom. A blue tarp covered the unusually large exhibit for most of the trial.
Kanawha County jurors returned their verdict on February 2 following nearly two weeks of testimony. The families of Carole Lynn Crawford, 46, her daughter Meaghan McGuire Crawford, 16 and family friend Kelsey Rebecca Kuhn, 15, filed a product liability lawsuit against the car manufacturer in 2011 claiming the allegedly defective design of the Subaru Forester contributed to their relative's deaths.
The mother and two teenagers died in 2009 when a Ford Explorer crossed the center line and struck their Forester head-on. The plaintiffs argued that the route of a key fuel line created an unnecessary risk of an explosion in the event of a collision, however Subaru's attorneys successfully argued that other combustable fluids flowed onto exhaust elements after the impact ripped away other parts of the engine.
The victims burning to death could have resulted in a substantial pain and suffering award, as we saw at a similar trial in 2015, but a Virginia-based trial team lead by attorneys from Spencer Shuford LLP secured a clean defense verdict.
2018 The Firms Landing the Most Cases in 7 Practice Areas
A recent article in Law360 listed Thomas Combs & Spann in third place among firms representing Defendants in Product Liability cases. An excerpt from that article follows.
The Firms Landing the Most Cases In 7 Practice Areas
By Jacqueline Bell and Cristina Violante
Law360 (March 3, 2018, 10:50 AM EST) — In Lex Machina's new rankings, case volume speaks volumes.
The legal analytics provider's Top Law Firm Report reveals the firms that have fielded the most cases over the past five years, whether it's litigating a complaint or mounting a defense.
The study focuses on cases filed in U.S. district courts, zooming in on practice areas including patent, trademark, copyright, securities, antitrust, employment and product liability.
For each area, Lex Machina identifies the busiest firms, examining data from January 2013 through December 2017.
"The report provides in-house counsel with a starting point for outside counsel selection, and allows law firms to see how they compare with the competition," Brian Howard, Lex Machina's associate general counsel and legal data scientist, said in the report, which was released Friday.
The report ranks firms separately in each practice area, and it divides rankings based on cases in which the firms represented plaintiffs from rankings based on cases where they represented defendants.
In each practice area, all law firms appearing in the lawsuit are given credit for the case, so one case can count toward the tally for multiple firms.
Product Liability
Multidistrict litigation dominates product liability work, driving up the overall number of cases law firms have dealt with over the past five years. Lex Machina's report, which includes MDL-associated cases, shows that product liability-focused firms tend to deal with the highest volume of product liability litigation.
Subaru CVN Top 10 News
The February 2017 defense verdict in Subaru's favor was voted one of Courtroom View Network's Top 10 Most Impressive Defense Verdicts of 2017.
The case was tried in Kanawha County Circuit Court by Thomas Combs & Spann partner, Philip Combs and Christopher Spencer of Spencer Shuford, LLP. The case involved the tragic death of three women after their Subaru was struck by another vehicle. Following the wreck, the Subaru caught on fire. The jury rejected claims that the Subaru was not crashworthy, and determined that the car was, in fact, properly designed.
You can read CVNs report here: https://blog.cvn.com/cvn-top-10-most-impressive-defense-verdicts-of-2017
Susan M. Robinson Elected Managing Partner
Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC is proud to announce that Susan M. Robinson will assume the role of Managing Partner of the firm effective January 1, 2018.
Susan's legal practice at Thomas Combs & Spann centers around complex civil litigation, including product liability and toxic torts, and federal criminal defense. Since the firm was founded in 2012, Susan has represented product and pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors in an array of cases in state and federal courts and has been actively involved in multidistrict litigation.
Thomas Combs & Spann Receives Three Top Tier Rankings — Again!
On November 1, 2017 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers announced their 8th Annual "Best Law Firms" rankings. Included firms are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. This designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned by its clients and peers.
To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S.
Thomas Combs & Spann received Tier 1 rankings in the Charleston WV region in the following areas of law:
Antitrust Law
Commercial Litigation
Litigation – Environmental
The 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in America, released in August, recognized Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC attorneys:
Susan Robinson in Criminal Defense: White-Collar
David Thomas in Litigation – Environmental
David Griffith in Commercial Litigation
George Guthrie in Antitrust Law
David Griffith and Joe Merical Prevail On Appeal to WV Supreme Court
On October 6, 2017, Thomas Combs & Spann attorneys David Griffith and Joe Merical, working in conjunction with attorneys from the law firm of Faegre Baker Daniels, successfully appealed to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, obtaining reversal of an order from the Circuit Court of Berkeley County, West Virginia denying a motion to compel arbitration filed in the lower court.
In a 5-0 decision, the Supreme Court’s opinion authored by Justice Margaret Workman, includes a new syllabus point which holds: A non-signatory to a written agreement requiring arbitration may utilize the estoppel theory to compel arbitration against an unwilling signatory when the signatory’s claims make reference to, presume the existence of, or otherwise rely on the written agreement. Such claims sufficiently arise out of and relate to the written agreement as to require arbitration.
The full text Court’s opinion may be found on its website: https://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/docs/fall2017/16-0793.pdf.
TCS Attorneys Obtain Unanimous Decision On Certified Question To WV Supreme Court
Thomas Combs & Spann partner David Griffith and associate Joe Merical convinced a unanimous Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia to rule in their clients’ favor on a question certified to the Supreme Court by Judge Jennifer Bailey of the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia.
Justice Menis Ketchum authored the Court’s October 12, 2017 opinion which holds that the debt collection provisions and deceptive practice provisions of the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act, W.Va. Code §§46A-2-122 to -129a [1996] and W.Va. Code §§46A-6-101 to -106 [2015], do not apply to and regulate fees a landlord may charge to a tenant pursuant to a lease of residential real property.
The full text Court’s opinion may be found on its website: https://www.courtswv.gov/supreme-court/docs/fall2017/17-0228.pdf.
Thomas Combs & Spann Receives Three Top Tier Rankings
U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers recently announced its rankings of Best Law Firms naming Thomas Combs & Spann to the top tier in three practice areas.
The firm was one of two in West Virginia to receive a tier one ranking for Antitrust Law, and one of seven in the state named to tier one in Litigation – Environmental. Thomas Combs & Spann was also honored with a tier one ranking in Commercial Litigation.
This marks the seventh year that U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers have ranked law firms. For more than 30 years, Best Lawyers has assisted those in need of legal services to identify the attorneys best qualified to represent them in distant jurisdictions or unfamiliar specialties.
Firms included in the 2017 Best Law Firms list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise.
To be eligible for a ranking, a firm must have a lawyer listed in The Best Lawyers in America, which recognizes the top 4 percent of practicing attorneys in the U.S. Receiving a tier designation reflects the high level of respect a firm has earned among other leading lawyers and clients for its abilities, its professionalism and its integrity.
The 2017 Best Law Firms rankings can be seen in their entirety by visiting: bestlawfirms.usnews.com.
Thomas Combs Prevails in International Arbitration Case
Thomas Combs & Spann partner M. David Griffith, Jr. and David L. Wallace of Herbert Smith Freehills New York, LLP prevailed in a complex case involving enforcement of an international arbitration agreement in a dispute between a U.S. mining equipment distributor (Shilmann Rocbit, LLC) and the U.S. subsidiary of an Australian mine supplier (American Blasting Consumables, Inc.) that had purchased a South African company with which the mining equipment distributor had a distribution agreement.
The matter, originally filed in the Circuit Court of Kanawha County, West Virginia was removed to Federal Court by Thomas Combs and Herbert Smith Freehills on behalf of their client, American Blasting Consumables, Inc. On October 4, 2016 U.S. District Judge Joseph R. Goodwin issued a published memorandum opinion and order denying plaintiff's Motion to Remand and granting defendant American Blasting Consumables, Inc.'s Motion to Dismiss and Compel Arbitration in South Africa.
A link to the Law 360 article on this opinion: https://www.law360.com/articles/848324/.
Bryant Spann and his trial team obtained the first defense verdict ever returned in favor of a respirator manufacturer in Kentucky
On August 23, 2016 in Hazard, KY, Bryant Spann and his trial team obtained the first defense verdict ever returned in favor of a respirator manufacturer in ongoing litigation brought by Eastern Kentucky coal miners diagnosed with black lung. The unanimous defense verdict, in a case brought by the estate of a deceased miner, was entered after a nearly four week long trial in Perry Circuit Court.
The IADC report of the trial is here: https://www.iadclaw.org/bryant-spann-and-william-book-obtain-defense-verdict-for-respirator-manufacturer/
“Pattern Jury Instructions for Civil Cases in West Virginia”
In June, 2016 the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia published “Pattern Jury Instructions for Civil Cases in West Virginia”. Thomas Combs & Spann partner, Philip Combs is the reporter for the chapter on Products Liability and Warranty instructions.
Rankings released in 2016 by Chambers and Partners in the Chambers USA guide name Thomas Combs & Spann as a Band 1 firm in General Commercial Litigation in West Virginia.
This is what the Guide had to say about the firm and three of its partners:
From the Chambers USA guide
What the team is known for Toxic tort and product liability are cornerstones of this prominent practice. Key clients include pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers. Also active on asbestos proceedings and, more recently, advising banks.Strengths (Quotes mainly from clients)
"They're very talented litigators, covering the full range of litigation."
"An excellent law firm which handles real difficult chemical exposure and product liability cases."
Notable practitioners
Founding partner David Thomas is a reputed authority on both mass tort and general litigation. He has served on significant medical, environmental and product liability cases and "has really made a name for himself defending very difficult cases in court, all around the country."
The "well regarded" Philip Combs is a founding partner who concentrates on product liability cases. His clients include major companies from the pharmaceutical, manufacturing and automotive fields, which he represents in a range of contentious matters. One peer observes: "He's really maturing into a good defense lawyer for complicated litigation."
Another founding partner, Bryant Spann is respected by peers across the state. He has been instructed on especially impressive cases in the financial sector and also maintains a criminal defense practice.
Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC is proud to announce that Daniel R. Higginbotham is now a partner of the firm. Daniel has practiced with the firm since September, 2011.
Daniel Higginbotham’s practice focuses on the defense of product liability cases. Daniel specializes in drug and medical device litigation, regularly defending pharmaceutical and device manufacturers in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Daniel’s product liability practice also includes the defense of automobile and chemical manufacturers. In addition, Daniel has litigated contract disputes involving some of the country’s largest financial institutions.
Prior to entering private practice, Daniel was honored to serve as a law clerk for two of West Virginia’s federal judges. He first clerked for the Honorable Robert B. King of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Daniel then clerked for the Honorable John T. Copenhaver, Jr., of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
Daniel is a 2009 graduate of Duke University School of Law. While at Duke, he served as a Research Editor for the Duke Law Journal, participated in the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program, and was named a Mordecai Scholar. Prior to law school, Daniel studied Economics at Vanderbilt University, where he graduated summa cum laude in 2006.
Thomas Combs & Spann is a litigation boutique with a single-minded focus: Providing its clients with world-class representation in the courtroom. Their lawyers are trial lawyers; global companies and individuals routinely entrust Thomas Combs & Spann with their most challenging lawsuits, in West Virginia and elsewhere.
Three lawyers from Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC were listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2015.
David B. Thomas was selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2015 in the fields of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Environmental.
George G. Guthrie was selected in the field of Anti-trust law.
M. David Griffith was recognized in the field of Commercial Litigation.
Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey. Over 52,000 leading attorneys cast more than 5.5 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”
Thomas Combs & Spann is pleased to announce that Robert H. Akers has been named a partner in the firm effective January 1, 2014.
Mr. Akers received his undergraduate degree from Colgate University and his law degree from West Virginia University. His legal practice focuses on civil defense litigation. He has litigated cases in areas including personal injury/wrongful death actions; products liability; mass tort litigation; motor vehicle, trucking, and ATV accidents; medical malpractice; and deliberate intent cases. He has had both first and second chair trial experience in cases throughout West Virginia.
Rob joins the other firm partners, David Thomas, Phil Combs, Bryant Spann, Susan Robinson and David Griffith in building a lean, client-responsive litigation defense focused firm.
David B. Thomas selected for inclusion in the 20th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America
David B. Thomas was selected by his peers for inclusion in the 20th Edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of:
Bet-the-Company Litigation,
Commercial Litigation and
Litigation - Environmental.
Additionally, he was named the Best Lawyers' 2014 Charleston, WV Litigation – Environmental
"Lawyer of the Year”
This is quite an honor for David and the firm is proud that his peers have recognized his quality work.
Two Thomas Combs & Spann lawyers were recognized in Super Lawyers magazine
Two Thomas Combs & Spann lawyers were recognized in the 2013 Virginia and West Virginia edition of Super Lawyers magazine. Rob Akers was honored as a Rising Star for the second year in a row and David Thomas was recognized again in the category Personal Injury Defense: Products.
Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters business, is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The annual selections are made using a multiphase process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates and peer reviews by practice area.