Eric J. Mayer, trial lawyer extraordinaire.
One of Blawgletter's favorite partners — and of course we love them all — spoke the other day at the 31st Annual Advanced Civil Trial Course in Houston. The State Bar of Texas sponsored the event.
The partner, Eric J. Mayer, talked about "How to Bust or Follow Through with an Arbitration".
Which gives us an excuse to mention that Eric's a terrific lawyer. Highlights of his career include these (which feature a video of Eric in action) recent ones:
For the last four years, Mayer has acted as national and supervising trial counsel for Texas Instruments (and a newly formed company recently spun off by Texas Instruments, Sensata Technologies, Inc.), handling a variety of litigation pending against these companies throughout the United States. Mayer also acts as national and supervising trial counsel for Aetna Life Insurance Company and ING USA Annuity and Life Insurance Company in connection with asbestos related litigation against these insurance companies in a variety of jurisdictions.
In August 2008, the Texas Supreme Court held in a 7-2 decision that Zurich American Insurance Company, Federal Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company had a duty to defend Susman Godfrey's client, Nokia, Inc, in a series of class actions pending around the U.S. The ruling is a vindication for Nokia which has spent millions successfully defending these claims. Nokia hired Susman Godfrey partner Eric Mayer after losing on this issue in the trial court. Mayer and Susman Godfrey lawyers Brian Melton, Ian Crosby and Lexie White argued that Nokia's insurers wrongfully denied coverage. The ruling by the Texas Supreme Court now opens the way for Nokia to recover millions in defense costs and fees from this group of insurers. Mayer argued the appeal for Nokia. Click here to read the Texas Supreme Court's opinion. Click here to watch excerpts of Mayer's oral argument before the Texas Supreme Court.
In July 2008, Mayer successfully argued and won the appeal in a Texas-wide class action against The Hertz Corporation in connection with the company's rental car fuel-service charge. The class consisted of tens of thousands of class members and Plaintiffs alleged millions of dollars in damages. The Court of Appeals for the Thirteenth District Court of Texas reversed the trial court's class certification order and decertified the class on all claims. This victory will serve as persuasive authority in similar cases around the country.
Thanks for being a terrific partner, Eric.
