Representative Cases
Medical Malpractice • Motor Vehicle Accidents • Civil Rights Amicus Briefs •
Criminal Defense • DWI Defense
Criminal Defense • DWI Defense
State v. Cogburn (DWI Defense)Mr. Cogburn, a 72 year-old man in frail health, was cited for Driving While Impaired while driving to the courthouse to file a document. Mr. Cogburn was unable to complete field sobriety tests and marked as a “refusal,” so he agreed to submit to a blood draw. The State Bureau of Investigations lab took more than two years to test his blood. Meghann won a dismissal in District Court and again on appeal in Superior Court based on a violation of the right to speedy trial.
United States of America v. Roberts (Bank Robbery)A 42 year-old woman and lifelong resident of Madison County was indicted in federal court in connection with a bank robbery. Our firm successfully negotiated for the dismissal of two counts and won a motion for a downward variance from the applicable guidelines range.
J.N. v. Pharmacy Company & Provider (Medical Malpractice) |
Our young client was catastrophically injured by medication misadministration. Bill Brazil persistently litigated the case for nearly 3 years, ultimately reaching one of the largest settlements in Western North Carolina history.
B.S. v. City of Asheville (Motor Vehicle Accident)
Our client was making a left turn out of Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co. when an Asheville Police officer sped up Merrimon Ave. in excess of the speed limit without lights or sirens activated. The police cruiser t-boned our client, trapping her inside. The client experienced significant injuries, which she recovered from valiantly. The City claimed the defense of sovereign immunity, but we found a way to recover for their client through uninsured motorist coverage. Our client was awarded the policy limits at arbitration.
Obergefell v. Hodges (Civil Rights Amicus Brief)
On behalf of the Campaign for Southern Equality, Meghann wrote an amicus brief in Obergefell v. Hodges that outlined the political powerlessness of gay Americans, citing political backlash even in the face of growing public support for the LGBT community. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right of gay Americans to marry is protected under the Fourteenth Amendment.
Ms. Blackley and seven co-defendants refused to leave the Register of Deeds office when gay couples were denied a marriage license. They were arrested and charged with second degree trespass. The Judge found that Ms. Blackley and her co-defendants were exercising their First Amendment right to petition a government official about a grievance when the Register of Deeds called for their arrest. They were found not guilty.
State v. George (Murder)
This tragic story culminated in a 17 year-old boy being charged among eight defendants with First Degree Murder and potentially facing a sentence of life without parole. Our firm successfully negotiated a sentence to a term of years to give this young man hope of rehabilitation.
