BPGR News & Seminars

December 2006

Congratulations to BPGR Partner Mark Strandmo who successfully defended Home Depot in a premises liability case tried in federal court (U.S. District Court--Southern District of Texas). The plaintiff alleged that 10 foot long gutters were improperly secured and fell 5 feet onto him as he was attempting to remove one. The plaintiff had $47,000 in past medical bills and asked the jury to award $145,000. The pre-trial offer was $25,000. The jury returned a $0 verdict in favor of the defense.

January 2007

Congratulations to BPGR Associate Michael Ramirez who has been invited to become a shareholder in the firm.  Michael has been with the firm since 1999 and has successfully tried a number of cases to jury verdict on behalf of the firm's clients. Michael previously served in the United States Marine Corps for eight years and was part of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm.

Congratulations to BPGR Partner John Guerra and Associate Josephine Ramirez who successfully defended a trucking company in a rear end accident case in federal court (U.S. District Court--Western District of Texas). The investigating officer cited the defendant's driver as a cause of the accident. The past specials were $325,000. The plaintiff asked the jury to award $1,300,000. The pre-trial offer was $325,000. The jury returned a $0 verdict in favor of the defense (assessing 100% negligence on the plaintiff).

Congratulations to BPGR Partner Ricardo Reyna who was elevated to the rank of Diplomate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. This is an invitation-only organization of the nation's premier litigators and the rank is held by only 29 of 77,000 attorneys in Texas. He is the youngest member in Texas with this distinction and the only Hispanic.

February 2007

BPGR is proud to announce that firm partners John Guerra and Ricardo Reyna have been added to the Zurich Insurance Liability Catastrophic Injury Counsel panel. This is a highly specialized panel of attorneys who have been selected to represent the interests of Zurich insureds in high profile litigation involving significant exposure.

March 2007

Congratulations to BPGR Partner Ricardo Reyna who was featured in an article in the March 2007 issue of the Texas Bar Journal. The Texas Bar Journal commended Rick for contributing $100,000 and starting three scholarships in San Antonio and San Marcos. The scholarships were set up to honor Rick's parents and his relatives, many of whom were teachers who devoted their entire professional careers to teaching in the public schools.

BPGR is proud to announce the promotion of Jerry Lopez to Trial Presentation Specialist. Jerry is originally from Edinburg, Texas, and has been with the firm since 2005. He assists with all aspects of trial presentation, as well as providing litigation support in mediations, seminars, and other areas where technology is involved.

April 2007

BPGR is proud to announce that Associate Josephine Ramirez has been honored as a Texas Rising Star by her peers in the Super Lawyers 2007 publication. This will appear in the Texas Monthly magazine later this year. This is the third year in which Josie has been named a Texas Rising Star.

Congratulations to BPGR Partner Ricardo Reyna and Associate Mark Hernandez who successfully defended VIA Metropolitan Transit in a vehicle/pedestrian accident case tried in Bexar County. The plaintiff, a 12 year old girl at the time of the accident, alleged that the VIA bus driver was negligent in dropping her off at an unmarked bus stop and waving her across the street where she was struck by an oncoming car. The plaintiff further alleged that VIA was negligent because they failed to have their driver certified to operate school buses in violation of state law. The defense countered that the minor child was solely responsible irrespective of any actions of the VIA bus driver. The plaintiff had $26,000 in past medical bills and was permanently disfigured. The plaintiff asked the jury to award $178,000. The offer at trial was $0. The jury returned a $0 verdict in favor of the defense (assessing 100% negligence on the plaintiff/minor child).

June 2007

BPGR will be hosting a continuing education seminar in San Antonio for our clients and others in the industry who may be interested. The seminar will be held Thursday, June 7, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 37 N.E. Loop 410, San Antonio, Texas. Hors D'oeuvres and cocktails will be served. The following topics will be covered: Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas Court of Appeals Update, Indemnity and Contribution, Proportionate Responsibility and Third Party Practice, and Subrogation. The State Board of Insurance has approved three (3) hours of credit for the seminar, including one (1) hour of ethics credit. Please use the Contact Us link to register.

July 2007

BPGR is proud to announce that Michael Ramirez has become a shareholder of the firm. Michael started with the firm shortly after finishing law school and has been dedicated to our clients ever since. The firm welcomes him and the experience he brings for the benefit of our clients.

BPGR will be hosting a continuing education seminar in Houston for our clients and others in the industry who may be interested. The seminar will be held Friday, July 20, 2007 from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 5353 Westheimer Road, Houston, Texas. Hors D'oeuvres and cocktails will be served. The following topics will be covered: Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas Court of Appeals Update, Indemnity and Contribution, Proportionate Responsibility and Third Party Practice, and Subrogation. The State Board of Insurance has approved three (3) hours of credit for the seminar, including one (1) hour of ethics credit. Please use the Contact Us link to register.

August 2007

BPGR will be hosting a continuing education seminar in Dallas for our clients and others in the industry who may be interested. The seminar will be held Thursday, August 23, 2007 from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Westin Park Central Hotel, 12720 Merit Drive (Highway 635 and Coit Road), Dallas, Texas. Hors D'oeuvres and cocktails will be served. The following topics will be covered: Texas Supreme Court Update, Texas Court of Appeals Update, Indemnity and Contribution, Proportionate Responsibility and Third Party Practice, and Subrogation. The State Board of Insurance has approved three (3) hours of credit for the seminar, including one (1) hour of ethics credit. Please use the Contact Us link to register.

January 2008

BPGR is pleased to announce that construction has begun on its new 24,000 square foot office building. The firm expects the project to be completed by December 2008 and to move in by January 2009.

Congratulations to the BPGR trial team of Partner Ricardo R. Reyna, Associate Greg Hokenson, and Trial Presentation Specialist Jerry Lopez for successfully representing a nationwide furniture rental company in a 2 1/2 week trial in Bexar County. The case involved an employee/debt collector, trying to collect a delinquent account, who allegedly harassed the plaintiff and her 3 young children over a period of months (making up to 15 calls per day, banging on doors late at night, and leaving obscene/profane messages in writing). The employee/debt collector was hired in violation of company policy shortly after serving time in a federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute 500 pounds of marijuana. Once the employee admitted to calls, visits, and obscene/profane messages, liability became clear. The plaintiffs also called a former company manager who indicated that the company wanted "bulldogs" hired and that the company policy was "collect or be fired." BPGR was hired approximately one month before trial to lead the trial presentation and keep damages down. The plaintiffs asked the jury to award $6,000,000. The pre-trial demand was $2,600,000. The pre-trial offer was $300,000. The jury award to the lead plaintiff (mother) was $490,000. The jury award to the 3 children was $0.

BPGR is pleased to announce Ford Motor Company as a new firm client.  Partners Ricardo R. Reyna and Michael I. Ramirez as well as Associates Jorge A. Tuckler and Gregory R. Hokenson will be part of the product liability defense team working with Ford.

 February 2008

Congratulations to the BPGR trial team of Partner Audrey A. Haake and Trial Presentation Specialist Jerry Lopez for successfully defended a local restaurant chain in a premises liability case tried in Bexar County. The plaintiff slipped and fell as he was exiting the men's restroom. To support his claim of premises liability, he presented a document signed by the restaurant manager indicating that the restaurant was aware of the slippery conditions but that upper management denied the repair request.  The plaintiff underwent knee surgery after the accident. The plaintiff had $47,000 in past medical bills. The plaintiff asked the jury to award $100,000. The pre-trial demand was $55,000. The pre-trial offer was $6,500. The jury returned a zero verdict in favor of the defense (assessing 100% negligence against the plaintiff).

Contact Brock Person Guerra Reyna, P.C.