Ambulance Chasers No Longer "Chasing"

In an effort to maximize efficiency, some of our unscrupulous P.I. attorneys have skipped casually dropping a business card at the scene of an accident in favor of going directly to the source for clients.

The LV Sun is reporting that UMC has been selling a compilation of the hospital’s daily registration forms for accident patients to local attorneys (names still unknown). But worry not, citizens, Kathy Silver is on the case:

Kathy Silver, chief executive of the hospital, said Thursday in an interview with the Sun that she heard rumors about information being leaked from the trauma center early this summer. She said a source put her in touch with a local chiropractor, who shared with her the rumor that attorneys were illegally gaining access to patient information. She did a cursory investigation of the attorneys who had requested medical records, but she and the chiropractor agreed that nothing seemed unusual.

Good enough for us ... what's for lunch?

Ok ... don't worry if Ms. Silver missed it, County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly has it handled:

County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly, who serves as chairman of the UMC board of trustees, told the Sun that he heard of the alleged breach from more than one reliable source about 10 days ago. He said he was told that representatives of law firms were approaching car accident victims even while they were in the hospital. He had not talked to the hospital about it because he was not sure if it was illegal for private patient information to leave the hospital.

Yeah, sharing private medical information is more of a faux pas, really. Why else would we have to stand a football field away from the next person being helped at the grocery-store pharmacy? And really, if it's for a good cause ... like a frivolous lawsuit ... where's the harm?

Back to reality - the attorneys involved will likely maybe be investigated by the bar for their role in this. However, as the Sun notes, UMC could be in a whole heap of trouble:

HIPAA violations can be investigated by the county district attorney, the state attorney general’s office or the United States Attorney’s office, Pritts said. Congress increased the penalties for HIPAA violations, effective at the end of November. A person who violates a patient’s privacy with the intent to sell information can be fined up to $250,000 and imprisoned for up to 10 years.

We're always interested in names and numbers. Anyone on the "inside" care to share who the attorneys involved were and how much they paid for the lists?

(LV Sun)

Monday News Roundup

On Friday, a federal jury found that apparently people do have to pay taxes, convicting Mr. Kahre and friends for using a gold coin scheme to evade taxes. (RJ)

Does being grossly obese count as contributory negligence? Louie Anderson is soon to find out (Courthouse News Service) [thanks to W for tip]

Apparently, judicial ethics do have a place in Nevada. Judge Cadish recuses herself from prosecution of Lt. Governor Krolicki case, citing potential conflict of interest. (RJ)

Dennis Kennedy [pictured left] proves that if you own the firm, there's no tie or wall decoration too tacky to have in your business profile (LV Business Press)

The Tournament comes down to numbers: 444-4444 v. 666-6666

We've reached the end of the tournament road, ladies and gents. And your finalists are:

444-4444 (Richard Harris) (background here and history here) v.

666-6666 (the Harris firm's Ticket Busters) (background here and results here).

Many readers have objected that a Harris v. Harris entity final is a perversion of justice. For those readers, we suggest you sit back and enjoy this battle with the image of a corporate legal entity punching itself in the face with its left hand and socking itself in the gut with its right hand.

Other readers have raised allegations the two remaining firms only got here by stuffing the ballot box like a fatwah-issuing Persian president or a city counselor in Chicago. For the record, we weren't able to confirm any foul play, but we agree with the commentators that the number of votes in the Kenny v. Harris semi-final smells foul.

That said, most of the blog readers are lawyers and from what we hear, reputation is everything in this business. If competitors chose to cheat to win a blog poll, the Court of general opinion may brand the winner with a scarlet asterisk. We'll leave that in the hands of the people commentators.

Either way, this tournament has been "One Shining Moment" after another:

Chad GoLightly v. Richard Harris (3rd Round)--voting ends 7/30 at 5pm

Today: Chad Golightly v. . 444-4444 (Richard Harris)

In his first round match, Golightly stared down the competition, taking in 61% of the vote (background on G&A and first round results found here). Then, in the second round, he took down Mr. Sorrentino with 56% of the vote (second round results found here)

Meanwhile, Richard Harris dialed in a victory in the first round with 68% of the vote (background on the Harris firm and first round results found here). In the second round he took out immigration specialist Reza Athari (results found here)

Voting ends on July 30 at 5 p.m.

Ed Bernstein v. Craig Kenny (3rd Round)--poll ends 7/29 at 5 pm

Things are heating up in the Third Round. Our first match pits the virile Uncle Ed against Mr. Nice Guy: Ed Bernstein v. Craig Kenny.

In the last round, Mr. Kenny continued his amazing run through this tournament, showing that cordiality and kindness still matter in this profession with a win over the powerful Vannah & Vannah firm with 59% of the vote (background on Kenny found here and second round results found here). Meanwhile, Mr. Bernstein stormed into the tournament after his first round bye, showing the popularity of "ask Ed," by earning 78% of the vote over G. Dallas (background on Bernstein and second round results found here). Voting ends on July 29 at 5 p.m.

The Heavy Hitter v. Ticket Busters (2nd Round)--voting ends 7/21 at 5 pm

If we could have Blogger do it, we'd have Sprach Zarathustra (the theme from 2001) piping in from the speakers while you read this poll post. Why? Because the undisputed heavyweight champion of billboard/television advertising is making his way towards the ring. That's right, this Monday it is the 4ft 10" Heavy Hitter v. that cute cop on the Ticket Busters ads.

Glen Lerner, The Heavy Hitter
Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Lerner has entered the ring. Say what you want about him (and we've said plenty on this blog; see all prior posts here), the Boston accented, shorter than short Heavy Hitter is the king of Vegas legal billboards, radio ads (Glen Lerner Traffic Center, anyone) and television advertising (Heavy Hitter ads and spoofs available here).

According to his website, Mr. Lerner "has been practicing personal injury law in Las Vegas since 1991" . . . and he "deals with attorneys all over America fighting for the 'little guy' against the big insurance companies and corporations." As goofy as the ads are, Mr. Lerner is a prime example of Plaintiff's attorneys laughing all the way to the bank. It is generally accepted that Lerner is a multi-millionaire and now that he's spreading his practice down to Phoenix as well, we're pretty sure that he showers in money every day.

Like it or not, Lerner is in many ways the face of the Nevada legal community to the general public. That's makes him tough competition in this poll.

Finally, he potentially has the most iconic personal injury commercial out there, "The Big Game":




Ticket Busters
Sure, everyone knows that Ticket Busters is just Richard Harris' firm in disguise. But the firm's billboard presence is so huge that Ticket Busters got its own slot in the tournament.

Ticket Busters may be the best example of the comedy and success of Vegas billboard/television firms. Everyone in town makes fun of TB because its public face is a cartoon police officer. At the same time, the owners of the firm have plenty of cash to roll in to deal with public derision. The biggest complaint clients seem to have with TB is that clients "could have done it themselves". (RJ Eforums). But what firm hasn't had to listen to an ungrateful client claim he could have represented himself? Plus, how many other firms have a Facebook page so people can become a fan?

They even have ridiculous cartoon commercials:

Ed Bernstein v. G. Dallas Horton (2nd Round)--vote ends 7/18 at 5 pm

Something special for you in the tournament for this completely overheated Friday: the Man Known as "Ed" v. the Notorious B.I.G.

"Call Ed" Bernstein
Ed Bernstein certainly earned his top seed in the tournament. Bernstein is a media master with his face pasted in serious black and white billboards all around town, never ending "call Ed" commercials and hosting of Nevada's longest running television show, The Ed Bernstein Show. Doubt Ed's fame? Name another attorney in this tournament who's interviewed Bill Clinton, Al Gore, George Foreman, Randy "Macho Man" Savage and many other celebrities.

But media presence aside, we just love Bernstein's commercials. He's like that goofy uncle that just doesn't get how absurd he comes across. But while goofy as hell, you weirdly trust him. Okay, the voters may not have agreed with us when they voted to elect John "Slept with my Aide's Wife and Then Had the Husband Paid Off Not to Talk" Ensign to the U.S. Senate over uncle Ed (RJ), but we still can't help but find the guy trustworthy. Add that to the fact that Bernstein is one of the attorneys trying to find justice for the Hep-C infected [alleged] victims of Dr. "Needles" Desai (LV Sun), and he's definitely earned his top seed as a master marketer and tough litigator. Let's see if he's as tough as the flowerbed that once beat GDH.



G. Dallas Horton
The Notorious B.I.G. Dallas Horton (website available here) made his grand entrance to WWL in March of this year, when WWL reported about his apparent botanophobia and willingness to frivolously burden the Supreme Court of Nevada over a flowerbed. (post available here) In response to the posting, one person commented: “Anybody who takes a case like this is desperate and/or stupid,” while another said: “Even Dallas is smart enough to know this case had no merit.” Then, when WWL reported that Horton just recently took down an $8.9M judgment, more than a few posters jumped at the chance to undercut Horton’s involvement in the actual trial itself and lend credit to Bobbie Vannah [my personal favorite quote: “Horton is an asshole AND and idiot. Vannah's just an asshole.”]. (For additional insinuations against GDH and GDH's replies, check out his firm's entry on the RipOff Report) Even with the Ken-doll haircut and the spray on tanner, can G. get no love?? Apparently not.

G. Dallas does have a decent television advertising presence, but not many of his commercials have made it online. The only one we could find was on Crazy Motion (available here) and that ad just features gliding photographs of G. Dallas in earlier ads.

According to its website, G. Dallas Horton & Associates “is AV rated with an AV rated attorney” – an interesting boast given that martindale.com currently sizes Horton up as being only “BV-rated.” Apparently, Horton’s relatively recent raid on Lewis Brisbois (taking LBBS partner Dave Thomas & LBBS associate Christian Smith) and addition of long-timer Monte Hall, Esq. (Bar No. 239), to the mix have given G. the street cred to bolster his boasting.

[Final Writer’s Log: Despite extensive research, I have been unsuccessful in discovering what the “G.” stands for . . . Tony The Tiger says it’s “grrrrrrrrrreat,” but I’m not buying it.] [Update: Peoplefinder suggests the "G" is for "Gregory"]

Reza Athari v. Richard Harris (poll closes 7/17 at 5 p.m.)

Today, it's the Immigration attorney not licensed in Nevada (Reza Athari) v. 444-4444 (Richard Harris)

In his first round match, Mr. Athari proved you don't have to be a Nevada attorney to win in this tournament, translating his marketing skill into 57% of the vote (background on Mr. Athari and first round results found here). Meanwhile, Richard Harris and his catchy phone number dialed in their victory with 68% of the vote (background on the Harris firm and first round results found here). Voting ends on July 17 at 5 p.m.

Golightly & Assoc. v. Frank Sorentino (Round Two)--ends 7/16 at 5 pm

Today, it's the Man Who Never Blinks (Chad Golightly) v. the Man Who Never Ages (Frank Sorrentino)

In his first round match, Golightly stared down the competition, taking in 61% of the vote (background on G&A and first round results found here). Meanwhile, Mr. Sorrentino outlasted his last opponent and pulled in 68% of the vote (background on Frank Sorrentino and first round results found here). Voting ends on July 16 at 5 p.m.

Craig Kenny v. Vannah & Vannah (Round Two continues)--voting ends 7/15 at 5 pm

In the second match up of round two of the best billboard/television law firm tournament, WWL presents: Craig Kenny v. Vannah & Vannah.

In his first round match, Mr. Kenny stepped into the role of people's favorite, stomping all over Adam Kutner with 79% of the vote (background on Kenny and first round results found here). Meanwhile, Vannah & Vannah shut down the haters and pulled in 72% of the vote (background on V&V and first round results found here). Voting ends on July 15 at 5 p.m.

Round Two Begins--The Good Guy v. Top Gun

Round Two of the best billboard/television law firm tournament begins with a match up of attorneys will cinematic handles: Sam "The Good Guy" Harding v. Robert "Top Gun" Koenig.

In their respective first round matches, the Good Guy hooked 61% of the vote and Top Gun broke the sound barrier with 68% of the vote. Should be a good second round match.

Background on The Good Guy can be found here and background on Top Gun can be found here. Voting ends on July 14 at 5 p.m.

Jerry "Jaws" Wiese v. Cohen Johnson Day (Round One limps towards its conclusion next week)--poll ends 7/10/09 at 3:30 p.m.

When we put the tournament together, we didn't originally look to the final week for tough fights. But this battle feels like it will go down to the last minute. In corner 1, we have the tearing, brutal teeth of a shark and in corner 2, the crusaders against drunk driving. Firms, let's have a clean fight:

10. Cohen Johnson Day
Cohen Johnson Day has an interesting internet strategy. The firm reserved the domain name "http://www.we-sue-drunk-drivers.com/". While the firm represents numerous other types of Plaintiffs, we think the web address paints the firm as a kind of righteous weapon. Injured in an accident by a drunk driver (or not drunk driver)? Use us as your sword of litigation to get justice (i.e. cash)!

The firm has been around since 1987 and claims to have an "AV" rating from Martindale. But is a solid Martindale rating and the mantel of a crusader against drunk driving enough to take down a shark a.k.a. the most vicious killer on earth? Maybe. Consider the fact that CJD is headed by Brooklyn-born Steven Cohen. You don't mess with Brooklyn.

v.

7. Jerry "Jaws" Wiese
There's something appropriate about a plaintiff's firm naming itself "Jaws Law". Sure, the word Jaws may come from Jerry A. Wiese's initials, but there's clearly a more figurative meaning. Insurance Defense counsel are always suggesting that plaintiff's firms will chase down any ambulance and any injury and try to make it a million dollar case. So, we think it's fitting that Jerry A. "Jaws" Wiese has advertised his firm using the shark, an animal that shows up in droves when blood is in the water.

Points to Mr. Wiese for the marketing idea. By our count, there are very few Jaws Law billboards around town, but WWL received numerous emails nominating Jaws Law for the tournament. Clearly, the shark theme is sticking in the minds of the blog's readers and, we can assume, sticking in the minds of commuters.

Googling Jaws Law, we came across the following commercial for Mr. Wiese's firm. Unlike many of the other commercials, we were impressed by Wiese's use of medical props and dramatic close ups of legal books. Of all the commercials we've watched over the past few weeks, Wiese's seems to focus on Wiese's skill and professionalism. Not sure that will make him a billionaire in our fair city of glitz, glamour and 4 ft 10" heavy hitters, but the commercial did make Mr. Wiese seem like a professional.

Jan Paul Koch v. Mainor Eglet Cottle

Jan Paul Koch

This is the “WWL Reader's Choice Tournament Of The Best Billboard/Television Advertising Firm In Vegas,” right? Clearly, however, we’re looking at more than just billboards and television commercials when deciding who to vote for. We’re looking at the whole package which includes, in addition to billboards and commercials, areas such as craigslist spamming, catchy jingles, self-assigned nicknames, etc. And perhaps the first place we look to is the attorney’s website – this is the “internet age” after all.

So why, in the midst of the technology revolution, does s spytfyre like J.P. Koch - a self-described "ambulance chaser" - not even bother to have a functioning website?? Google his name and you may find www.janpaulkoch.com – but go to the actual address, and all you find is an advertisement for “Datacom Hotel - Las Vegas Web Hosting.” Maybe youtube.com has something? Nope – not a thing, at least not that I can find. I know the guy advertises – how else would I know the name? – but when it comes to using that new thing called the “internet” (created, of course, by Al Gore), J.P. gets a zero in my book. Do not pass Go, do not collect $200.

Is there anything about J.P. on the internet, you ask? There sure is! Apparently he’s an accomplished comic booker, being the “writer and creator of Spytfire.” For you comic junkies out there, Spytfire (aka Spytfure") is “the story of a little girl that got lost in two jungles – one in Indonesia and one in Las Vegas," with a little bit of God mixed in. Why comic books? Well, it's because J.P. realized "that the digital technology he was using to set up 'trial exhibits' could be used to make comic books." Apparently, back in 2003, J.P. was "thinking about branching off into computer animation as well."

Here's a guy who was pioneering the use of digital technology in the courtroom 6 years ago, but now can't even keep a website going today. J.P., you're not the man I thought you were.

- versus -

Mainor Eglet Cottle

Do I even have to comment on MEC? Probably not, but I promise to be brief.

MEC may have the most information website I've seen. What other firm's website comes complete with scrolling photos of what MEC's lavish abode looks like from the inside? It's like having a sneak peek into the Abyss. Fancy a face-to-face with Bob Eglet or Robert Cottle for an "Endoscopy Case Update" - MEC's got your update right here. MEC's even on facebook!

Here's another idea for you MEC: How about setting up webcams in every office? Everyone could tune in to a "Big Brother - MEC" live feed and watch you rake in the multi-million dollar verdicts! I smell an Emmy...

Black & Lobello v. Sam "The Good Guy" Harding (Round One Poll-ends on Wed, 7/8 at 5 p.m. )

Black & Lobello

While Black & Lobello may not have a wacky commercial, they do have a rather generic billboard that can be seen around town. It's black and white with a hint of red. Nothing exciting there.

They may have plain billboards, but someone at the firm recently took a "Marketing through Social Networks" class. First, they have the (BL)og. The blog is definitely being handled by a newbie, who chose every single option that Wordpress offers and then didn't do a thing with it. (If you don't believe me, check out their blog roll.) Check out the only comment on their first post - B&L is Creative Ninja's favorite law office, so they should clearly be yours too.

Now that they have their (BL)og created, what's next on the list of Marketing through Social Networks... Linkedin. Check. Then, of course, Twitter. My favorite tweet is from April 24th: "is working hard on a friday afternoon for our customers. We always have time after hours." Working so hard that they couldn't capitalize Friday and were tweeting from the office. Six followers and a few look a little suspicious. Good use of that marketing channel.

Most importantly, B&L has a Facebook Fan Page. Their only post says "Black & Lobello Rocks." We might be able to believe this if it were not for one client's review on LasVegas.net:

Michele LoBello and her law firm are rip-off artists specializing in taking advantage of people during the most emotional times of their lives. They bill for services never performed, lie, cheat and steal from their clients. They don't familiarize themselves with your case and produce terrible work product with spelling and gramatical errors. Stay as far away from this firm as you can. You'll be in the poor house if you don't.

To be fair, while B&L didn't have Friday capitalized in their Tweet, but this individual also failed to spell grammatical correctly.

Sam "The Good Guy" Harding

It's no secret that I refuse to drive on surface streets. I prefer highways so that I can put the top down and feel the wind in my long blonde hair. Every day, I see Sam Harding's billboard. Every day, I wondered what on earth he was holding in his hand. For a while, I decided it was a football phone. Now, after reviewing his website it makes sense - it's a cowboy hat. Sam Harding, I apologize for my senseless error. Now, let's move to the poll information.

The Good Guy's website is an absolute treasure. There's a legal dictionary. There's also an exhaustive list of every sort of personal injury that I could possibly imagine. There's also a nice historic feel to some of the categories, like Firestone tires and Ford Explorer rollovers. The Good Guy won the largest loss of consortium jury verdict in NV of $3,000,000.

The most important thing you can do is view the Videos. The commercials are stunning works of art. The transformers theme is my personal favorite, followed closely by the talking car. The commercial below describes the origin of The Good Guy.

Titolo Law Office v. Robert "Top Gun" Koenig - Round 1 of the Billboard/Television Tournament (ends 7/7 at 5 p.m.)

Hope everyone had a happy 4th, now let's get back to business. The Round One match ups continue with today's offering: Titolo Law Office v. Robert "Top Gun" Koenig (Voting will be open until 5 p.m. on Tues., 7/7).

Let's meet the contenders:

Tim Titolo

Besides having an awesome name (and a heart-warming smile), Tim Titolo has been a practicing personal injury attorney in Las Vegas for over 25 years. Also, he's a blogger who frequently posts on his "Brain and Spine Injury Law Blog."

Beyond that, Titolo is a member of something called the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and prominently displays the MDAF seal on his website. He must be an awesome attorney to be a member of such an exclusive club!

While we have lots of love for fellow bloggers, some people like their billboard/advertising attorneys to have a little spunk, like a phone number jingle you can't get out of your head or maybe a nickname like ...

Robert "Top Gun" Koenig

While he may not be a member of MDAF, Top Gun's website boasts "Over $150,000,000 Collected!" Also, Top Gun claims to be "associated with one of the largest law firms in the nation by volume of cases settled" ... whatever the hell that means.

Many of you may be wondering where "Top Gun" got his nickname. Well, turns out he is a former F-16 Thunderbird pilot who hung up his wings in order to attend law school so he could practice in the much more exciting field of personal injury.

Yeah right! We don't really know how he got the name, and his website doesn't mention the origin of his "Top Gun" moniker. Maybe he's a pilot, or maybe it was simply due to the cool (and easy to remember) phone number he picked up (4TOP-GUN). If you know, please enlighten us in the comments.

So, do you like the legal blogger, or are you a fan of nicknames and fancy phone numbers? Vote your preference!

UPDATE

According to this article, Titolo once punched a woman in the face in a fit of road rage landing himself a suspended 12 month sentence. Don't know how we missed that one! Thanks Anon 9:11.

Ticket Busters v. Christensen Law--Round One continues (poll ends 7/3/09 at 5 p.m.)

Ticket Busters
Sure, everyone knows that Ticket Busters is just Richard Harris' firm in disguise. But the firm's billboard presence is so huge that Ticket Busters got its own slot in the tournament.

Ticket Busters may be the best example of the comedy and success of Vegas billboard/television firms. Everyone in town makes fun of TB because its public face is a cartoon police officer. At the same time, the owners of the firm have plenty of cash to roll in to deal with public derision. The biggest complaint clients seem to have with TB is that clients "could have done it themselves". (RJ Eforums). But what firm hasn't had to listen to an ungrateful client claim he could have represtented himself? Plus, how many other firms have a Facebook page so people can become a fan?

They even have ridiculous cartoon commercials:



Christensen Law
What's the key to standing out in the Vegas billboard/television crowd? Get yourself a good phone number and web address. Christensen Law has got this strategy down pat with the number 702-HELPNOW and the website injuryhelpnow.com.

Vegas has some of the worst drivers in the country. That's why an easy to remember phone number helps. When driving along the 215 while drinking coffee, smoking a cigarette, texting and changing the radio station, Vegas drivers need a catchy number to remember.

Other than the smart choice in phone numbers, Christensen Law has remained under the radar. No real scandals or embarrassing personalities. We'll leave it to you readers to decide whether that's a plus or a minus.

Justice Injury Lawyers v. G. Dallas Horton (Round 1 continues)

by Beantown

Justice Injury Lawyers
“Injured? Get Justice” is just one of the many slogans splayed across the website for Justice Injury Lawyers; and anyone enjoying their nightly Family Guy in Las Vegas has no doubt seen at least one JIL commercial (while JIL’s website link to commercials appears to be down, at least ten different variations grace YouTube).

Here's our personal favorite:



Formed in 2007, JIL’s four currently managing partners are: Bradley S. Mainor, A Professional Corporation; Eglet & Eglet, A Professional Corporation; Robert M. Adams, A Professional Corporation; and Robert W. Cottle, Ltd. Oh yeah, and Robert T. Eglet is the Resident Agent. I wonder if JIL has any relation to some other attorneys in town?

When WWL reported the connection between JIL and Mainor Eglet Cottle as a “well known secret in the Vegas community” back in March ’08, one anonymous poster explained: “Mainor [Eglet Cottle] takes million dollar cases and the other firm [JIL] takes everything else.” In other words, JIL is the redneck love child the Med-Mal Goodfellas (known in the back alleys of Fourth Street as Bobbie T., Tracy E., Mr. Cottle-r, Bob “Tiny” Adams, and The Main-Man B-rad). No word on which one of them carried JIL to term, but top bets are on Tiny.

Did someone spill a 50 gallon vat of sulfuric acid on little Billy? What a shame – but don’t worry, Mainor Eglet Cottle will fight for you. Wait. You say it was only a Dixie Cup of hot chocolate? You’re one the wrong floor – 862-HELP is four levels down. Good luck.

G. Dallas Horton
The Notorious B.I.G. Dallas Horton (website available here) made his grand entrance to WWL in March of this year, when WWL reported about his apparent botanophobia and willingness to frivolously burden the Supreme Court of Nevada over a flowerbed. (post available here) In response to the posting, one person commented: “Anybody who takes a case like this is desperate and/or stupid,” while another said: “Even Dallas is smart enough to know this case had no merit.” Then, when WWL reported that Horton just recently took down an $8.9M judgment, more than a few posters jumped at the chance to undercut Horton’s involvement in the actual trial itself and lend credit to Bobbie Vannah [my personal favorite quote: “Horton is an asshole AND and idiot. Vannah's just an asshole.”]. (For additional insinuations against GDH and GDH's replies, check out his firm's entry on the RipOff Report) Even with the Ken-doll haircut and the spray on tanner, can G. get no love?? Apparently not.

G. Dallas does have a decent television advertising presence, but not many of his commercials have made it online. The only one we could find was on Crazy Motion (available here) and that ad just features gliding photographs of G. Dallas in earlier ads.

According to its website, G. Dallas Horton & Associates “is AV rated with an AV rated attorney” – an interesting boast given that martindale.com currently sizes Horton up as being only “BV-rated.” Apparently, Horton’s relatively recent raid on Lewis Brisbois (taking LBBS partner Dave Thomas & LBBS associate Christian Smith) and addition of long-timer Monte Hall, Esq. (Bar No. 239), to the mix have given G. the street cred to bolster his boasting.

[Final Writer’s Log: Despite extensive research, I have been unsuccessful in discovering what the “G.” stands for . . . Tony The Tiger says it’s “grrrrrrrrrreat,” but I’m not buying it.]

Adam Kutner v. Craig Kenny (Round 1 of the Tournament of Billboard/Television Vegas law firms)

The Round One match ups continue. Today's offering: Adam Kutner v. Craig Kenny (Voting will be open until 5 p.m. on Sat., 6/27).

Let's meet the contenders:

Adam Kutner

Readers of the blog know that Adam Kutner is no stranger to these pages or to the media spotlight. Back in May 2008, WWL nominated Mr. Kutner for the title of Biggest Douchebag in Vegas based on reports that he harshly abuses and mistreats his employees. (post available here). Kutner responded to the critical article published in Las Vegas City Life by stating that the allegations were false and merely an attack on his "good name" by a rival personal injury firm.

But this poll is not about which attorneys are and are not douchebags. No, this poll is about which Billboard or Television advertising law firm has the best litigation skill, extreme wealth, business model, most aggressive (effectively aggressive), best place to work, most embarrassing story, attorney's complete lack of shame, etc.

And Kutner has all those things. Would we even be talking about him if it wasn't for those annoying commercials where he walks through an automobile junkyard and tells injured parties to call his office? Injured Vegas residents know to call him after injuries resulting auto accidents, slip and falls--even in the case of dog bites. All in all, Kutner makes for a formidable tournament opponent.

Craig Kenny

The Law Offices of Craig Kenny may be the feel-good competitor of this tournament. Just a glance at Kenny's website presents a heart-warming picture of the staff surrounding the firm's sign (the web site also include pictures from the Kenny firm annual party). Such images mark a stark contrast with the alleged d-bag environment over at the Kutner office.

And the Kenny firm appears to be succeeding as well. Craig P. Kenny & Associates is doing so well that it is building a new four-story, class A office building in downtown Vegas. (LV Business Press) According to a press release we received, the new building will include a gym, theater and half-court basketball court accessible by all employees.

That said, while the Kenny law firm certainly should have been nominated to be one of the best places to work (Are you hiring by the way?), we're not exactly sure why the Kenny firm was nominated to be the best Billboard/Television Vegas law firm. The staff here at WWL can't think of a single ad we've seen involving Craig Kenny.

But in the end, the vote is up to the readers. So what do you think?

Vannah & Vannah v. Rob Graham (Round One of our Billboard/Television law firm poll)

In this Round One match up of our Billboard/Television law firm poll, WWL pits Vannah & Vannah against Rob Graham. (Voting will be open until 5 p.m. on Fri., 6/26).

Let's meet the contenders [Editor's note: neither Robert Vannah, nor Robert Graham, takes an exciting picture, so I have included pictures of my current crush, Twilight star Robert Pattison to provide a pleasant reading atmosphere]:

Vannah & Vannah

Vannah & Vannah isn't just a heavyweight player, it's the gorilla that just can't be killed. The insurance companies would love to see the firm fall and the insurance defense firms hate V&V with a passion. And those of you who follow ethics investigations know that Vannah & Vannah was on the periphery [or at the center if you ask some people] of the Noel Gage medical mafia trial. (RJ) The U.S. Attorneys couldn't convict Gage in federal court and so we'll never know if the allegations of Vannah medical witness testimony fixing are true.

But put all the allegations aside because V&V is a media monster. They may not have billboards left and right as your drive down the freeway, but the RJ and LV Sun is full of Vannah verdicts, many of which have million dollar price tags. (V&V news). You can't beat free press, and free press reporting how much money you won is even better.

Rob Graham
Graham may be the first actual television star attorney we have in this tournament. He has "appeared or consulted on numerous television news or documentaries” as a legal expert, including several episodes of America's Most Wanted. And we here at WWL can't get enough America's Most Wanted. Those reenactments are awesome.

Most recently, Mr. Graham was a technical advisor to an documentary on MSNBC regarding a large-scale fraud that impacted many elderly and business clients. Top that off with his firm’s marketing that they have represented celebrity clients like Tony Orlando, Sharon Stone, Robert Forbuss, Test Your Reflex, Gail and Harvey Allen, and Boys Town of Nevada. (Rob Graham & Assoc. website). Take it all together and Graham may just be a media heavyweight who's been hiding in the shadows.

$8.9 Million Verdict and No Flowerbeds Were Harmed

G. Dallas Horton (with the help of Robert Vannah) must have known his match-up in WWL's Tournament of Billboard/Television Vegas law firms was next week. How else do you explain Mr. Horton's client receiving an $8.9 million judgment one week before Mr. Horton's firm is up for the vote.

The RJ reports that the award was issued from the bench by District Judge James Bixler. The judge cited that the plaintiff "will require periodic medical pain relieving procedures to control pain in her back, which will continue throughout the plaintiff's life due to the permanency of her condition."

$8.9 million for a 43 yr old woman's periodic pain. Well done, Mr. Horton. You didn't even have to sue inanimate plant life.