Law360 named Haynes Boone Partners Nina Cortell and Jeremy Kernodle “Legal Lions” for their roles in securing a landmark appellate victory for client Trinity Industries at the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Sept. 29.
They were part of a multi-firm team representing the company, and all were recognized for the win.
Law360 wrote: “The Fifth Circuit on Friday overturned a $663 million judgment against Trinity Industries Inc. in a False Claims Act suit over allegedly defective highway guardrails, in a win for the company’s attorneys at Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP and Haynes Boone. The appeals court found that a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Escobar undermined the whistleblower’s case because the government — the purported victim — kept paying the claims.”
In addition to Haynes Boone, Trinity is represented by James Ho, Rebekah Perry Ricketts and Brad Hubbard of Gibson Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Robert Salcido and Elizabeth Scott of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.
Cortell represents corporations, public entities and individuals in cases that have put her at the forefront of Texas litigation practice. Chambers USA, Chambers & Partners (2016-2017) ranks her as the top appellate lawyer in Texas.
Kernodle, chair of Haynes Boone’s False Claims Act/Qui Tam Practice Group, focuses on government litigation and appeals and routinely advises healthcare providers, defense contractors and other clients in high-stakes disputes with the government.
Excerpted from Law360. To read the full article, click here.
To read Law360’s coverage of the court ruling, click here.