The firm agreed to take on a challenge to the Territory's system for electing its legislators in August 2003 on a pro bono basis.  The firm represents plaintiffs who allege that the Territory's system of at-large elections to select legislators to multi-member districts unfairly dilutes the votes of minorities in the Territory in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act.  A Spring 2004 trial is anticipated.  For more information, go to www.fairvotingrights.com.

In Saldana v. Kmart Corp., 260 F.3d 228 (3d Cir. 2001), the firm was successful in obtaining the affirmance of a summary judgment dismissing Kmart on the basis that there was no evidence that Kmart was negligent. The Third Circuit decision establishes the important precedent that a non-employee cannot use alleged violation of OSHA standards in an effort to prove negligence.

In re Application for Change or Reassignment of Judge Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. Sec. 144 & 155, ___ F.3d ___. 2001 WL 766891 (3d Cir. 2001), affirming 118 F.Supp.2d 622 (D.V.I. 2000), the firm thwarted an attempt to force the recusal of a U.S. District Judge in every case assigned to the judge that involved a particular attorney.

In Elcock v. Kmart Corp., 233 F.3d 734 (3d Cir. 2000), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit vacated a $650,000 damage award for personal injuries on the basis of the inappropriate admission of expert testimony under the standards set forth in Daubert. The case applied Daubert to the testimony of a vocational expert and also established the evidentiary foundation required for admission of economic expert testimony.

Technology Watch: The firm officialy became "paperless" in mid-2002. Of course, this did not eliminate paper in the office, but every document in the office is digitized and stored electronically.  Documents are only as far away as an attorney's desktop computer.  Paper copies of all files are maintained as a back up.