Apr. 26, 2014

Trial lawyer group honors SF litigators

Attorneys from Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP and Mary Alexander & Associates PC took home the San Francisco Trial Lawyer of the Year award, given by the San Francisco Trial Lawyers Association at an April 17 dinner event at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco. The team of attorneys won a $1.15 billion amended judgment April 4 against companies that sold lead paint that ended up in California homes. The lawyers represented eight counties and two cities seeking compensation from paint companies including Sherwin-Williams, NL Industries and ConAgra. The funds will be held by the state and used to remove lead paint from homes in the plaintiffs' communities. Receiving the award were Mary Alexander along with Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy attorneys Joseph W. Cotchett, Nancy L. Fineman and Brian M. Schnarr. Motley Rice LLC and the Law Offices of Peter Earle also represented plaintiffs in the case. The litigation lasted 14 years and has been through two appeals, including one to the California Supreme court. The defendants are expected to appeal the most recent judgment to the 6th District Court of Appeal in San Jose. — Joshua Sebold