News & Events

HE’S BACK!!! NBF proudly announces that attorney Jeremy Jones has returned to his position as a partner with NBF. He brings with him some new experiences from the Attorney General’s office. He will resume his work as a stalwart and seasoned member of the NBF maritime team

NBF attorneys Rod Fonda and Noah Jaffe obtained a result that is increasingly difficult to obtain: summary judgment dismissal of a defendant in an asbestos case filed in State Court. Rod and Noah represented a marine parts supplier in Florida who had nothing to do with the Seattle shipyard worker’s asbestos, and therefore their client should have been dismissed—but judges in King County are so leery of overreaching appellate decisions to make sure that mesothelioma victims have some available legal recourse, that such dismissals, no matter how meritorious, have become rare. Well done Rod and Noah!!

Congratulations to NBF attorneys Chris Nicoll, Rivers Black and Curt Feig, who were again named as “Super Lawyers” by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2020.

NBF is honored to join the growing list of companies that recognize the importance of Juneteenth. This American holiday, named by blending the words June and nineteenth, commemorates the occurrence on June 19, 1865 when Union Major General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas, and told slaves of their emancipation from slavery: “In accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free.” Major General Granger’s pronouncement came more than two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. African-Americans and others mark Juneteenth, also called Emancipation Day, much like the Fourth of July, with parties, picnics and gatherings with family and friends. In 1980, Texas was the first state to make Juneteenth a state holiday, although it had been celebrated informally since 1865. Join NBF on June 19th as we take time to reflect on our past; we look forward to using resources, actions, and voices to continue to effect positive change in the black community. It is our sincere hope that you will join us in lending your voice and resources as well. For more information regarding Juneteenth, please visit http://nationaljuneteenth.com/Juneteenth_National.html.

The Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) association released a statement addressing Juneteenth and providing resources for members to learn more, as well as donate to local nonprofits that support the African American community. This statement was written by Diversity Committee Co-Chairs Gauri Shrotriya Locker and L. William Locke, and NBF associate Shantrice Anderson. The statement is available on the WDTL website at https://www.wdtl.org/blog_home.asp?Display=47.

All of us at Nicoll Black & Feig are saddened by the death of George Floyd, another in a too-long list of senseless and violent deaths at the hands of police. Nicoll Black & Feig was founded on the principles of equal opportunity for all, regardless of race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation and we stand by and strive to live those values every day. This death and the calls for action that followed have caused us, individually and collectively, to reexamine our commitment to these values. 

Through this examination, we have concluded that we have not done enough. It is time for change because without justice for all, there can be no peace.  It is simply insufficient for us to treat our employees fairly, equally, and with dignity and compassion.  Rather than being content with mere inward-facing attitudes and values, we now recognize that outward-facing action is necessary for us to fulfill our obligations to ourselves,  our profession,  the  communities where we live and work, and in particular to our brothers and sisters of color.  We hear you and we support you. We must do more to end the systemic, pervasive, and implicit discriminatory biases that are part of the fabric of this country.  To that end, Nicoll Black & Feig is taking concrete steps, both financially and personally, to encourage, support, and empower all of our employees to take direct action, as they are able and see fit, to discern, confront and address these biases in our community. It does not diminish the value of any life for us to emphatically declare that black lives matter.

http://nicollblack.com

NBF attorney Larry Altenbrun will officiate the wedding of his niece in July in Montana in his newly minted capacity as an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church. Larry joins the likes of Sherlock Holmes (Benedict Cumberbatch) and the Rock (Dwayne Johnson) in achieving this divine status.

NBF attorney Shantrice Anderson was elected to the Board of Directors for the Loren Miller Bar Association. She will be a Member at Large for the 2020-2021 year. See attached link: https://www.lmba.net/post/announcing-the-2020-21-lmba-board-of-directors. Congrats Shantrice!!

NBF attorney Pegeen Mulhern has joined the Board of Downstreet Housing & Community Development in Barre, VT.  Downstreet’s goal is to create equity in the housing opportunities available to Vermont citizens through a number of programs including providing affordable rental housing, a home down-payment assistance program, neighborhood housing  program lending financial assistance for home revitalization, developing residences for recovery, and creating tiny homes pilot project to provide homes for individuals struggling with mental illness. Downstreet also orchestrates a support and services at home program to connect elderly and disabled Vermonters with the resources and services they need to continue to live in their own homes.  Pegeen is thrilled to have this opportunity to help Downstreet in its mission to strengthen communities of Central Vermont by engaging with people, providing affordable homes, and connecting people to the resources and services they need to thrive.