Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC

Flaherty Welcomes New Associate Lexi Moore Flaherty is pleased to welcome Alexis A. Moore to the firm's Charleston office. Alexis is a recent graduate of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, where she was chosen to be the student commencement speaker. At Moritz, she earned opportunities to represent Ohio State regionally, nationally, and internationally in mock trial, mediation, and negotiation. Today, Alexis works to protect her clients' legal interests and reputations. Her practice focuses on representing healthcare professionals, insurance companies, and large corporations. Before joining the firm this fall, Alexis served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge Andria C. Noble in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, Columbus, OH.

Warning Triangles, Freight Lines, and Blind Curves - Uncovering the Asymmetry of FMCSR § 392.22 Interpretive Case Law by Michaela Cloutier and Bryan N. Price To truck drivers, risk mitigators, and transportation litigators, 49 CFR § 392.22 (§ 392.22) provides a framework for commercial stops on shoulders and highways, including requiring a driver to set out emergency warning devices such as reflective triangles. But, figuring out how § 392.22 applies to a specific stopped vehicle under certain circumstances can be a bumpy ride, especially in light of the asymmetric applications of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) throughout the country. Interpretations vary state by state, but some broad themes can be extracted to help if you’re stranded. https://lnkd.in/epWTX-iJ

Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC is pleased to announce that 27 of the firm’s attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America© and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch. Additionally, two attorneys were named Best Lawyers 2025 Lawyer of the Year. Only one lawyer in each area of practice is honored as “Lawyer of the Year” in their community. Attorneys who received the honor for 2025 are Jeffrey M. Wakefield (Insurance Law) and Alonzo Washington (Product Liability Litigation - Defendants). https://lnkd.in/gBxj8Fi2

THE ROBINS DRY DOCK RULE MAY LEAVE BRIDGE COLLAPSE CLAIMANTS HIGH AND DRY By Alonzo Washington and Adriana DiMatteis In the early morning of March 26, 2024, the Dali, a Singaporean-flagged cargo ship, crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the entire bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River. Since 1977, the Francis Scott Key Bridge has connected roadways circling Baltimore Harbor. The Francis Scott Key Bridge carried an estimated 11.5 million vehicles annually. Lawsuits are highly anticipated in the wake of this disaster; however, a 1927 Supreme Court case may prevent claimants from recovery. https://lnkd.in/g-gyGFcF

DISNEY'S "STEAMBOAT WILLIE" ENTERS THE PUBLIC DOMAIN, BUT MICKEY MOUSE REMAINS PROTECTED A pivotal moment occurred in the entertainment industry on January 1, 2024, when Disney's "Steamboat Willie," the animation that first introduced the world to Mickey Mouse, entered the public domain. This transition is due to U.S. copyright laws stipulating that the rights to a character expire 95 years after the original publication of the work. This event not only shifts how one of Disney's earliest and most recognizable works can be used but also signals broader implications for the industry, with other beloved Disney characters like Pluto and Donald Duck potentially following suit in coming years. https://lnkd.in/g3Unnf43

Flaherty has been recognized in the 2024 edition of Chambers USA, with two practice areas and five attorneys cited for excellence. Chambers' rankings are the definitive mark of excellence across the legal industry. A ranking from Chambers demonstrates that a firm and its attorneys have stood out in the most rigorous, independent, and in-depth research process of any legal directory on the market and emerged as one of the best in the field. https://lnkd.in/e7VJ-P8M

Finding time for community service can be challenging for a busy attorney, especially if they're also juggling parental duties. Flaherty lawyer Erica Baumgras has a suggestion for making it manageable.  https://lnkd.in/ewuAEGnn

Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC is pleased to announce that 14 of the firm’s attorneys have been named to the 2024 list of West Virginia Super Lawyers and Rising Stars. https://lnkd.in/eK6YducH

FTC ISSUES FINAL RULE BANNING NONCOMPETES NATIONWIDE The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued a final rule prohibiting noncompete clauses. This new regulation stipulates that existing noncompete agreements will become unenforceable for the majority of employees following the rule's effective date, which is 120 days after publication in the Federal Register. However, it is important to note that this rule is expected to face legal challenges. https://lnkd.in/eNeAFDFS

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