Author: JGL Law

Michal Shinnar will share strategies for navigating unique challenges in age discrimination cases at the 2025 National Employment Lawyers Association Convention (NELA) in Baltimore, MD on June 27.

The Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) and its case law present some unique differences from other more traditional federal employment discrimination laws, including coverage, evidentiary proof schemes, and possible defenses. State laws provide even more nuanced interpretations of age discrimination cases. Michal’s session will provide a primer for those interested in learning more about the ins and outs of age discrimination, how to build a case, and best practices for navigating distinct issues in litigation.

The three-day convention will provide attendees with the opportunity to attend a range of educational sessions and networking events while connecting with colleagues who are advocating for workers’ rights. Learn more about the sessions at the convention.

A divorce action is often likened to the break-up of a business partnership because spouses must face a significant financial restructuring.

For couples in 2025, whether they’re dividing multi-million-dollar estates or carefully splitting modest savings, the financial complexities can be overwhelming. Understanding the nuances of property division, support claims, and retirement benefits, especially with evolving legal landscapes and new approaches to resolution, is paramount.

In this article, I will break down the key financial considerations in divorce applicable to a wide array of cases across the spectrum of case complexities.

Equitable Distribution of Assets and Debts

At the heart of financial divorce settlements in Maryland, and many similarly situated states, is the principle of “equitable distribution.” Equitable distribution means assets acquired during the marriage are divided equitably or fairly, though not necessarily equally. Many states in the U.S. adhere to this principle, taking into account a range of factors to determine what constitutes a “fair” (or equitable) split.

Factors influencing equitable distribution often include:

• Length of the marriage: Longer marriages tend to see a more even distribution of assets.
• Each spouse’s financial contributions: This includes income, investments, and savings.
• Non-financial contributions: Crucially, courts recognize the value of contributions like childcare, homemaking, supporting a spouse’s career, and maintaining the family home. These non-monetary efforts may significantly impact the final division.
• Age and health of each spouse: These can affect future earning capacity and needs, particularly with reference to retirement accounts.
• Non-marital assets: Often, the courts may consider significant “non-marital” accounts that may result in a highly inequitable result should marital assets be divided evenly.
• Tax implications: The tax consequences of dividing certain assets (e.g., retirement accounts, real estate, capital gains) are carefully considered to avoid unintended burdens.

The Challenge of High-Asset Divorces

For high-net-worth individuals, divorce presents a distinct set of financial hurdles. These cases often involve:

• Complex asset valuation: Beyond standard bank accounts, high-asset divorces frequently include:
  • Businesses and professional practices: Valuing a business requires specialized forensic accounting to assess market value, goodwill, and future earning potential.
  • Investment portfolios: Stocks, bonds, private equity, and often cryptocurrency demand intricate analysis and strategic division to minimize tax liabilities.
  • Real estate holdings: Multiple properties, both domestic and international, require accurate appraisals and consideration of market trends.
  • Luxury assets: Art collections, jewelry, antiques, and other collectibles need specialized appraisals.
• Hidden assets: One of the most significant challenges in high-asset cases is the potential for a spouse to conceal financial assets and resources. Forensic accountants are often essential to trace funds, uncover undisclosed accounts, and ensure transparency.
• Complex trusts and foreign accounts: These sophisticated financial structures add layers of complexity to asset identification and division.
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements: While intended to simplify division, the validity and enforceability of these agreements may become central to high-asset divorce disputes.

Efficiency for Modest Value Cases

While high-asset cases dominate headlines, most divorces involve more modest estates. In recent years, states have trended toward streamlining the process for lower-value cases to reduce emotional and financial strain on families.

• Simplified financial disclosures: Many jurisdictions implement straightforward financial disclosure requirements for cases below a certain asset threshold, such as “short form” financial statements.
• Increased use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR): Though not exclusive to lower-value cases, mediation and other ADR options are highly encouraged for lower-value cases, particularly in the context of less complex financial situations. These methods allow couples to reach amicable agreements outside of court, saving significant time and legal fees.
• Online filing and administrative efficiencies: The digitization of court processes continues to advance, making it easier to file documents and manage administrative tasks online, further reducing costs and delays, allowing more access to attorney services.

Spousal Support and Child Support

Spousal support (alimony) and child support are often hotly debated topics in divorce, and their calculation methods continue to evolve.

• Spousal support: While some states may have specific formulas to calculate support, many, including Maryland, are trending toward assessing each party’s financial need and the paying spouse’s ability to pay. Additional factors like the length of the marriage, the standard of living during the marriage, and each spouse’s earning potential are critical to the analysis.
• Child support: Depending on the combined monthly income of the parties, many states, including Maryland, will calculate child support based upon specific guidelines, with calculators available to assist in the process.

The Path Forward: Strategic Financial Planning

Regardless of the financial scale of your divorce, proactive and strategic financial planning is crucial. Recommendations include:

• Gather all financial documentation: This includes bank statements, investment records, tax returns, property deeds, and any business valuations.
• Understand your assets and debts: Differentiate between marital and non-marital property and have a clear picture of all liabilities.
• Consult with financial professionals: A financial advisor can help you understand the long-term implications of different settlement options, especially concerning retirement accounts, investments, and tax consequences.
• Explore all ADR options: Mediation can empower you to control the outcome of your financial future rather than leaving it to a judge.

Divorce is an inherently complex journey, both mentally and emotionally. By understanding the ever-evolving financial landscape, you will be better positioned to manage the emotional aspects of your case. It is often best to take a proactive approach in your case in order to protect your financial interests and build a secure foundation for your life after separation. For an in-depth discussion about your case and needs, schedule a consultation with Christopher R. Castellano.

Motorcyclists’ safety is everyone’s safety; motorcycles account for 15 percent of highway fatalities each year. When reviewing all vehicles involved in traffic accidents, motorcyclists are far overrepresented. Two leading contributors to this reality are speed and alcohol impairment.

According to the NHTSA, there were 6,218 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in 2022, representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities for that year. Speeding was a major contributing factor for motorcyclist fatalities in 2022, accounting for 35 percent of all motorcyclist fatalities. More than half (51 percent) of those fatalities were motorcyclists 21 to 24 years old. Alcohol impairment also played a significant role in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities: Forty-two percent of motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2022 were alcohol-impaired.

Other causes include improperly changing lanes, avoiding other vehicles, avoiding pedestrians, failing to yield, following too close, passing improperly, turning improperly, and running traffic lights.

In years past, motorcycling was a weekend activity, today it may be the primary or sole source of transportation, making it essential for riders and drivers to pay critical attention to their driving habits and each other on the roads.

With consistent, safe driving and riding practices, all motorists can help reduce the number of motorcyclist fatalities on America’s roads.

The NHTSA found motorcycle helmets save lives and reduce injuries. After three years of declines, data estimates are that 1,782 motorcyclists lives were saved in 2017, and an additional 749 more lives could have been saved.

Head injuries are common in motorcycle accidents. Regarding motorcycle accident head injury statistics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that a motorcyclist without a helmet is 15% more likely to injure their head than a motorcyclist with a helmet.

Motorcyclists without a helmet are 40 percent more likely to harm their heads fatally. Motorcyclists reduce their risk of death from an accident by 37 percent when they wear a helmet.

Vehicle drivers and motorcyclists can help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on America’s roadways by:

• Observing all traffic laws and obeying the speed limit
• Driving and riding alcohol- and drug-free
• Avoiding distractions while driving or riding
• Yielding to motorcyclists especially when drivers are turning at intersections
• Motorcycle riders taking and completing rider education and training courses
• Wearing high-visibility protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets while riding. Learn how to identify a safe, DOT-compliant helmet at www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet.

Maryland Accidents and Injuries

The Maryland Highway Safety Office, MHSO, established its Zero Deaths Maryland initiative in an effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate injuries and deaths on the state’s roads. According to its data, Maryland sees an average of 1,046 injuries and 73 deaths among the state’s motorcyclists, who are especially vulnerable in crashes due to lack of protection.

Motorcyclists face a high likelihood of injury or death, twice that of individuals involved in passenger vehicle collisions. Some other data uncovered by Zero Deaths Maryland include:

• The Baltimore metro area accounts for 46.4 percent of motorcycle accidents statewide. The Washington, DC, metro area accounts for another 33 percent
• Most motorcycle crashes occur from June to September
• Male riders are more likely than female riders to suffer injuries or death. Just seven percent of injuries and three percent of fatalities were women.
• Riders in the 21-34 age group accounted for 35 percent of all motorcyclists, 37 percent of crash injuries, and 43 percent of fatalities.
• Roughly 72 percent of Maryland motorcycle accidents cause injuries

Tips for Marylanders

• Motorcycle operators are subject to all the same basic rules of the road as other drivers, including following traffic signals and obeying speed limits

• Required licensing: Maryland drivers need a Class M license; for inexperienced riders or new riders, the MVA Motorcycle Operator Manual is good place to start studying

• Motorcyclists must wear a U.S. Department of Transportation compliant motorcycle helmet, which meets the minimum safety standards, with a DOT sticker

• Maryland requires windscreens or approved eye-protection such as goggles or face shields, which meet FDA standards indicating they are impact resistant, and non-tinted

• Passengers may only ride on motorcycles designed to accommodate them

• Riders must keep both hands on the handlebars

• Motorcycles get full use of the width of the lane they’re riding in. Two motorcycles may share a single lane or ride side by side in the same lane, but two is the limit.

• Motorcyclists may not ride between lanes and must use adjacent lanes when passing other vehicles

For more information, read the Zero Deaths Maryland Motorcycle Program Area Brief.

Virginia Accidents and Injuries

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles reported a 3.6 percent increase in motorcycle accidents statewide between 2022 and 2023, with 2,127 motorcycle accidents statewide in 2023. The crashes resulted in 125 fatalities, a 12.6 percent increase over the previous year.

In 2023, there were:

• 2,127 motorcycle crashes
• 121 motorcycle crashes resulting in fatalities
• 1,620 motorcycle crashes resulting in injuries
• 386 motorcycle crashes resulting in property damage only

Furthermore, 1,719 motorcycle riders were injured in crashes that year, including 1,620 riders and 99 passengers. Motorcycle accidents accounted for 2.7 percent of all traffic injuries in 2023. Of these, 738 injuries were designated as serious, accounting for 9.9 percent of all serious traffic injuries that year.

The DMV and police investigations found motorcyclists were not to blame in 37.7 percent of the accidents investigated. In those that did, the most common mistakes were:

• Speeding, 7.8 percent of accidents
• Following too close, 6.6 v of accidents
• Attempt to avoid another vehicle, 3.0 percent of accidents
• Improper lane change, 2.4 percent of accidents

Of the 2,184 motorcyclists involved in accidents in 2023, 115 were found to have been drinking, while 1,976—over 90 percent—were sober.

Tips for Virginians

• To operate a motorcycle in Virginia, you must hold a valid Class “M”, “M2” or “M3” designation or a motorcycle driver’s license. This is a fine of up to $2500.
• If you own and operate a motorcycle in Virginia, you must have a Virginia title, registration card, and license plate.
• Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear an approved motorcycle helmet that meets or exceeds the standards and specifications of the Snell Memorial Foundation, the American National Standards Institute, Inc., or the federal Department of Transportation.
• Riders must wear eye protection to protect their vision from insects, dirt, rocks, or other airborne matter. Even the wind can cause the eyes to tear and blur vision, and good vision is imperative when riding.
• Virginia motorcycle laws do not have a minimum age limit for passengers, but all passengers must use footrests/pegs, have their own seats, and wear helmets and eye protection.
• Motorcycles need headlights, horns and rearview mirrors unless they are designed for trail riding and operated during daylight hours. The required lights are:
• At least one headlight visible from 200 feet,
• A taillight visible from 500 feet,
• A working brake light, and
• A license plate light that is visible from 50 feet.
• Motorcycles must have brakes on both the front and rear wheels and mufflers. Your bike must pass an annual safety inspection.

Find out more…

• FAQs
• Experience and Knowledge – The Keys to Safe Motorcycle Riding
• Virginia Rider Training Program Policies & Procedures

Involved in a Motorcycle Accident? You May Be Entitled to Compensation        

You could be entitled to various types of compensation if you suffered injuries in a Maryland, D.C., or Virginia motorcycle accident caused by someone else. But recovering compensation for injuries in these three states is more challenging than most other states because of Maryland, D.C. and Virginia’s “contributory negligence” legal standard. Under contributory negligence, an injured party can be barred from recovering any compensation if they are found to be even 1 percent at fault for the underlying accident (which caused their injury). This is a high bar to clear. Meet with a skilled personal injury attorney as early as possible following your accident to evaluate your claim.

Motorcycle accident claims are based on negligence. To succeed, you must provide the following four elements: duty, breach, causation and damages.

All drivers on the road have a duty to drive with reasonable care. That duty can be breached by acts such as disobeying traffic laws, distracted driving, or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If you can connect this breach directly to your injuries and losses, and show you have economic or non-economic damages, you may have a chance to succeed in your negligence claim.

Compensatory damages are divided into two general categories:

• Economic damages: These are actual monetary losses incurred by the injured party. Examples include property damage, medical expenses, lost earnings, loss of earning capacity, and funeral and burial expenses.
• Non-economic damages: These are intangible losses that are more difficult to quantify. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, diminished quality of life, disfigurement, and loss of consortium.

In rare cases in which the actions of the party that caused the accident were especially egregious, punitive damages may be awarded to punish the responsible party and help deter them and others from engaging in similar acts in the future. In Virginia, Maryland, and D.C., punitive damages are capped at specific dollar amounts.

If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may be able to bring a wrongful death claim against the negligent party.

Motorcycle accidents often cause severe injuries to riders when they do occur, and expenses can add up quickly. You may be unable to work or have lost your transportation. Securing compensation through a motorcycle accident claim may help you cover the financial burden caused by the crash and its aftermath. Compensation available in a motorcycle accident claim might include:

• Medical Expenses – Compensation for costs of emergency care, surgeries, hospitalization, medications and rehabilitation.
• Lost Wages – Compensation for income lost during recovery or due to permanent disability that prevents you from working.
• Property Damage – Repair or replacement of your motorcycle and other personal property damaged in the crash.
• Pain and Suffering – Payment for physical pain, emotional distress and changes to your overall quality of life following the accident.
• Permanent Disability – Compensation for long-term or permanent injuries affecting your ability to work or live independently.
• Loss of Consortium – Compensation for the impact the injury has on your relationship with your spouse.

Final Thoughts

Remember all motorists, be they two wheeled, four wheeled, or eighteen wheeled, share the same rights on the roads. Everyone must observe all traffic laws, use signals and obey speed limits.

The difficulty with motorcycles is that they are smaller and harder to see. Yield to motorcyclists when turning at intersections as you may have an obstructed view of oncoming traffic. Wait to see around the obstruction, scan for all roadway users and proceed cautiously. Motorists should not follow motorcycles too closely; allow plenty of space around them to maneuver, stop, change speed or adjust lane position to avoid hazards.

Cautious driving and abiding by traffic laws are part of a driver’s duty to others on the roadways. If you think the party who harmed you breached their duty and did one of the above acts, then you may be entitled to compensation.

Get the facts. Get educated.

In recent months, Maryland has seen a number of devastating apartment fires. In late March, eighteen families were displaced by a fire in a high-rise apartment building in downtown Baltimore, and two people were treated for injuries.

In mid-April, twelve families were displaced when a two-alarm fire broke out in an apartment building in Laurel, Maryland. And in mid-March, three people were hospitalized when a fire broke out in a Greenbelt, Maryland apartment building, and first-responders were forced to rescue numerous people—including those stuck on balconies—from the burning building. The reasons for the proliferation of apartment fires in Maryland and throughout the country are many; however, Fire Engineering Magazine blames at least some of these blazes on the widespread use of lightweight wood “toothpick” building materials in the construction of modern apartment buildings.

Regardless of the reason for the fire, apartment fires are devastating for tenants. Apartment fires can cause catastrophic injuries and death. They can result in widespread property destruction. And apartment fires can force people and families out of their homes. They can result in profound anxiety, stress, and trauma for tenants and those affected.

What should tenants know about their legal rights when an apartment fire affects them or their loves ones?

First, if a fire has caused injury, death, property damage, or other harm, it is imperative to determine the cause(s) of the blaze and who may be liable. For example, some apartment fires and the resulting damage can be the result of a landlord’s failure to comply with their legal obligations, such as the failure to maintain mechanical systems or install sprinkler systems. Apartment fires can also be the result of gas leaks, such as the 2022 blaze in Silver Spring, Maryland. Depending on who is at fault, an injured or displaced tenant may have a legal action. But acting quickly, determining cause and origin of the fire, and preserving evidence is critical.

Second, if a tenant’s apartment is uninhabitable, the tenant should promptly seek relocation. Tenants have a right to a habitable living environment. Depending on the cause of the fire, the landlord may be responsible for finding and financing relocation for affected tenants. Renter’s insurance may also cover some or all relocation expenses.

Third, in the event of property damage, a tenant should file a claim with their renter’s insurance company. While a tenant may be able to ultimately collect damages for fire-related property loss in a legal action, renter’s insurance should cover the loss of personal property and belongings in the interim.

At Joseph, Greenwald & Laake, we handle fire and explosion cases of all kinds, in Maryland, D.C., and nationwide. Legal actions arising from fires and explosions can be complex and lengthy. If you or a loved one has been injured or affected by a residential fire, you should contact experienced legal counsel to discuss your rights and available remedies.

In this episode of JGL LAW FOR YOU, family law attorneys David Bulitt and Chris Castellano dive deep into the world of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), breaking down negotiation, mediation, settlement conferences, and arbitration. Discover why keeping control of your custody or divorce case—rather than handing it off to an overworked judge—might be the smartest move you make.

In an article published in FireRescue1 on May 2, 2025, Drew LaFramboise explores a trio of common pitfalls for first responders when pursuing and recovering personal injury damages in a civil lawsuit.

Despite first responders being trained to handle stressful and dangerous situations daily, when they suffer an injury on the job, their paths to recovering damages can be unpredictable. Drew explains that one of the most common snares is the “firefighter’s rule,” in which first responders who are injured in the line of duty may be barred from recovering damages caused by the negligence of someone else. He writes that the policy behind the rule comes from a legal concept called “assumption of risk,” although some states have scaled back the rule or eliminated it altogether, and in the states where it has not been eliminated, there are some exceptions to the rule.

Drew also explains the other two most common obstacles in first responder personal injury claims: workers’ compensation exclusivity and contributory negligence and comparative fault.

Noting that first responders who are injured in the line of duty will likely have many questions about their legal rights, Drew emphasizes that understanding and navigating these scenarios will be critical to a successful recovery.

Read the full article “3 personal injury claim pitfalls all first responders should understand.” (PDF)

Veronica Nannis has been named a finalist in the National Law Journal’s 2025 Elite Trial Lawyer list in the category Elite Women of the Plaintiffs Bar. The award highlights the top litigation and appellate work from the previous year and recognizes attorneys for guiding clients through high-stakes litigation.

A principal in the False Claims Act and Civil Litigation departments at JGL, Veronica is a seasoned litigator who fights fraud. She leads a team that files suit under the False Claims Act in federal courts all over the country, focusing on healthcare fraud and various illegal kickback schemes. Veronica proudly represents whistleblowers, including the one who led the United States government to the largest Stark-based healthcare settlement in history – a record $345 million – against a major hospital system.

Jay Holland spoke about the False Claims Act with Jeff Lippman on the “Garden of Thought” podcast. During the podcast, Jay discusses the law’s history, which encourages whistleblowers to come forward and report fraud to the federal government.

Jay explains that these cases, known as qui tam cases, allow a private individual to prosecute a case on behalf of the government and receive incentives. Listen to the podcast to learn more about the False Claims Act and some of the cases Jay has handled.

Facing a divorce, child custody dispute, support dispute, or any form of family conflict in Maryland can be daunting and overwhelming. The time, cost, and stress necessary to bring a case before the Court can deter many.

However, before heading into a courtroom, it’s important to understand that you have options. One of the most effective and affordable alternatives to litigation is Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Going to trial can be fraught with risk and while there are scenarios where that risk is necessary, a risk analysis remains an appropriate first step to deciding if ADR is right for your case. Oftentimes, ADR is an opportunity to resolve your legal issues in a private, amicable, and cost-effective way.

So, What Is Alternative Dispute Resolution in Maryland?

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) refers to legal processes that help people resolve disputes outside of a trial. Common ADR methods include:

• Negotiation – where parties communicate directly (or through attorneys) in order to attempt to reach a mutually acceptable agreement regarding their disputes.
• Mediation – where parties meet with a trained and neutral individual (a mediator) who helps both parties resolve their impasse on issues such as child custody, visitation, alimony, and property division. There is only a binding agreement on issues if both parties agree to be bound.
• Arbitration – where parties agree to submit their dispute to a trained and neutral individual (an arbitrator) who renders a decision regarding a dispute that is binding upon the parties.
• Settlement Conferences – Often required by the court, these are structured negotiations facilitated by a retired judge or a magistrate.

Benefits of ADR in Maryland Divorce and Custody Cases

ADR is strongly encouraged in the Maryland family court system, and for good reason. Family cases can be some of the most emotionally charged and personal cases that go before a judge or magistrate, so the court system heavily encourages the idea of resolving a case before it is too late. Not only does an amicable resolution avoid the unpleasantness of testifying against your spouse, or about issues regarding your children, but allows practical benefits as well, including:

• Lower Costs – ADR is generally much less expensive than litigation.
• Faster Resolution – ADR will allow you to resolve your case much faster and help you avoid the months long delays associated with going to trial.
• Confidentiality – Unlike court hearings, ADR sessions are private.
• Control Over the Outcome – You and your co-parent or spouse make the final decisions about your personal life, not a judge who learned about your family dynamics only hours before ruling.
• Preserved Relationships – ADR promotes cooperation instead of conflict, which becomes especially valuable when co-parenting children, a fact of life that is a reality even after a contested trial.

When Is ADR Required in Maryland Family Court?

Pursuant to Maryland Rule 9-205, after a contested case involving child custody and visitation is filed with the court, the parties will typically be referred to mediation, unless there is a history of abuse or other serious concerns. When mediation is referred (or ordered), the Court will typically identify a mediator from a list of pre-approved certified mediators and will require the parties’ counsel to attend the mediation alongside the parties. Similarly, involving property or support issues, the Court may ask the parties if they believe that ADR is appropriate in their case and offer the opportunity for a Court-appointed mediator to serve in their case.

Is One Form of ADR Better Than Another?

Not necessarily. Every case is unique, and the issues at hand may dictate what form of ADR is most appropriate. If the parties and their counsel can communicate reasonably well, then settlement negotiations can occur outside of the purview of a mediator or formal ADR processes. These types of negotiations are informal and thus lack a uniform structure, but can nevertheless lead to a successful resolution of your case.

However, when difficulties exist in communication, an independent third party is the best option to communicate ideas between the two sides in the hope of a resolution.

Is ADR Right for Your Family Law Case?

ADR is a strong option for many family law matters, including divorce settlements, child custody and parenting plans, child support and alimony issues, division of marital property, or post-divorce modification actions. However, ADR may not be appropriate in situations involving domestic violence, coercion, or when one party refuses to negotiate in good faith. An experienced Maryland family law attorney can assess your case and help you determine the best path forward.

Work With a Maryland Family Law Attorney Experienced in ADR

Whether you’re going through a contested divorce or negotiating a custody agreement, ADR is the umbrella that offers you multiple options within which to help you move forward with less stress and expense. If you believe your case would benefit from ADR, contact me to discuss the pros and cons.

Recently, popular smartphone accessory manufacturer Casely issued a recall of more than 400,000 “power pods,” portable wireless chargers that are designed to affix to the back of the smartphone during the charging process.

According to the official Consumer Product Safety Commission recall notice, the “lithium-ion battery in the recalled power banks can overheat and ignite, posing fire and burn hazards to consumers.” As of the date of the recall, Casely had received “more than 51 consumer reports of the lithium-ion battery overheating, expanding or catching fire while they were charging” including six reports of burn injuries from this defect.

The Casely recall follows a string of highly publicized safety risks in products containing lithium-ion batteries. In 2016, Samsung recalled over 1 million Galaxy Note7 smartphones because the lithium-ion battery in the phone could overheat and catch fire, including on airplanes. In late 2024, Chervon North America recalled over 60,000 lithium-ion batteries that were installed in SKIL power tools and electric lawn mowers. Earlier this year, Samsung SDI recalled 180,000 lithium-ion battery packs installed in Chrysler, Volkswagen, Audi, and Ford electric vehicles. Battery-powered mobility devices, such as e-bikes, have been the source of hundreds of fires and dozens of injuries and deaths. These are just a few of the hundreds of consumer recalls and reports of injuries involving lithium-ion batteries over the past several years.

Lithium-ion batteries explode or combust due to a process called “thermal runaway.” This is a chain reaction that occurs when the battery overheats and is unable to stop an uncontrolled rapid increase in temperature. Thermal runaway can be caused by a number of factors, including improper manufacturing practices, defective battery design, use of inadequate or substandard materials, and mishandling or damaging the battery during shipment or storage. Properly manufactured, designed, and handled lithium-ion batteries should be resistant to thermal runaway and safe for consumers.

But when lithium-ion batteries experience thermal runaway and overheat and combust, the results can be catastrophic. This risk of harm to consumers is particularly heightened in the case of handheld consumer products containing these batteries, such as phones, laptop computers, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices, and power tools.

When lithium-ion batteries explode and cause injury, there may be several responsible parties. Under product liability laws, the seller of the product has liability for the injuries suffered by the end user or consumer. The company that manufactured and/or designed the battery—which is often different than the seller—may also have liability if they engaged in substandard practices in developing and manufacturing the battery. Finally, the distributor of the product—that is, the company that ships or stores the product during the chain of commerce—may have liability depending on the circumstances and nature of the defect.

Holding product manufacturers, sellers, and distributors accountable is complex and challenging. It is critical that, in the event of a catastrophe involving a defective lithium-ion battery, consumers reach out to a law firm experienced in handling fire and explosion cases to discuss their legal rights and options.

In an article published in Authority Magazine on April 21, 2025, Christopher Castellano explains how parents can create a peaceful, cooperative arrangement post-divorce that prioritizes their child’s well-being.

Castellano notes that post-divorce can be one of the most difficult times in a person’s life and comes with a number of challenges, including communication, different parenting styles, lingering emotions, and differing perspectives. Miscommunication is the cause of a significant portion of divorces, he writes, so he encourages his clients to think twice about their communication methods and tactics.

While the situation may be challenging, there are a handful of strategies that can help parents provide stability for their children, including having a comprehensive custody agreement and establishing rules and routines for each household. Castellano also explains how parents can manage their own emotions and differences while focusing on their child’s best interests.

Read the full article “Peaceful Parenting: Christopher Castellano of Joseph Greenwald Laake on 5 Essential Tips for Successfully Sharing Custody” in Authority Magazine.

In an article published in The Legal Intelligencer on April 22, 2025, Valerie Grove walks through the steps needed to select the most qualified expert witness for a medical malpractice case to save time, money and needless worry.

First, she notes, it’s imperative to vet an expert as carefully and comprehensively as possible to confirm whether they have the education, training, and experience that’s needed. Defense attorneys will not hold back in demanding proof of various claims, so it’s crucial to ensure there are no holes in a witness’s argument.

Grove explains that once an expert witness is confirmed and they’ve shared their opinions, it’s crucial that an attorney is familiar with Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, under which a trial judge must determine whether the testimony of an expert has “a reliable basis in the knowledge and experience of the relevant discipline.” She states that Maryland has recently joined the supermajority of states and formally adopted the Daubert standard for the admission of expert witness testimony, which requires that the process by which an expert witness came to their opinions must be sufficiently reliable. Grove also discusses a Daubert challenge and what happens when the other side challenges your expert witness.

Read the full article “Selecting the Right Expert Witness for Your Medical Malpractice Case” in The Legal Intelligencer.