Cellino & Barnes Splitting Up?

Everyone in NYC has seen a commercial for Cellino & Barnes at one time or another. Now, reports are that the firm may be on the verge of splitting up. As with any high-profile company, reports of internal conflict have fueled media reports speculating on what’s really happening behind closed doors.

At the heart of everything is a lawsuit that has been filed by Ross Cellino against his partner Stephen Barnes, apparently seeking to dissolve the firm and end their business relationship. Obviously, this is a dramatic course of action that has left many on the outside wondering about what’s caused it. After all, Cellino & Barnes is a highly successful law firm, so the fact that one of the firm’s partners evidently wants out has raised more than a few eyebrows.

Nepotism Involved?

According to some media reports, the partners’ relationship began to deteriorate after Barnes refused to hire Cellino’s fresh-out-of-law-school daughter, citing the need to avoid bringing nepotism into their business. This reasoning might have been plausible—and even laudable—were it not for the fact that Barnes’ brother and girlfriend had already been working at the firm for several years.

Still, while this dispute might have been a turning point for the two attorneys, no one is yet claiming that it’s part of the rationale behind Cellino’s decision to take legal action against his partner.

Management and Business Practices Cited

Instead, confidants claim that Cellino has become increasingly unhappy with the overall management style and direction the firm has taken. Reports state that he feels it has become too aggressive in some regards, and that his concerns have fallen on deaf ears with no course correction being taken.

Because of this dissatisfaction, Cellino now seeks to dissolve the firm so that his name is no longer attached to it. Obviously, this leaves a number of questions that don’t have obvious answers, many of which directly concern injured victims with cases in progress:

• What will happen to the ongoing cases the firm is currently working on?
• Will the legal dispute cause delays in investigations and settlement negotiations?
• Will the lawsuit become a distraction for the rest of the firm?
• Will the disagreement pull resources away from client cases?

These are all legitimate concerns, none of which have a readily apparent answer.

NYC Personal Injury Attorneys

At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we provide injured victims with the best-quality legal representation available. We know how to properly value a claim, and we know how to negotiate a full settlement and win in court during trial. We make it our mission to ensure that our clients don’t get taken advantage of by the insurance companies. Just like our motto says: Don’t be a victim twice.

What’s more, we make it easy for clients to switch their cases over to us, whatever the reason may be. If you would like to learn more during a free consultation, just give us a call at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or complete the form at the bottom of this page.

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Need to Change Lawyers?

People sometimes ask us “Why is your motto ‘Don’t be a victim twice’”? Well, we know accidents are sometimes unavoidable. But while accidents are unavoidable, choosing the wrong attorney is avoidable. At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we feel strongly that you should not be a victim twice by first being involved in an accident and second by choosing the wrong attorney. Don’t be a victim twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2.

If you’re experiencing problems with your current lawyer, you should consider switching personal injury lawyers. Do any of the following sound familiar?

• My lawyer doesn’t take my calls
• My lawyer doesn’t return my calls
• My lawyer doesn’t return my emails
• I can never speak with my lawyer
• My lawyer doesn’t treat me with respect
• My lawyer was rude to me
• My case is taking too long
• My lawyer’s firm is going out of business
• I am never informed of the progress of my case
• My case is a low priority for my lawyer
• My lawyer is too busy for me
• My lawyer has too many clients to make time for me
• I am not getting the personalized service I deserve
• I never spoke to a lawyer
• I never spoke to a named partner
• They want me to accept a low offer

If you’re involved in a personal injury case, switching attorneys is a very simple process. You don’t even have to tell your old firm they’re fired because we do it for you. You don’t even need to contact them—we do.

You simply sign a new retainer agreement with your new attorney. You also sign a “Consent to Change Attorney” so the court system can change the attorney of record on your case. Lastly, you sign a “stop work” letter which instructs your prior attorney to stop working on your case and not to contact you. Your new attorney will get your file from your old attorney.

As far as the costs of changing lawyers, it won’t cost you a penny. Whether you have one law firm or ten, they all share the same contingent fee. It doesn’t increase the total attorney fee to be paid. The lawyers will work out an arrangement for splitting the fees.

Remember, don’t be a victim twice. Call 1-800-VICTIM2 or complete the form on this page instead.

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Fatal Garbage Truck Crash in the Bronx

Horrible road conditions led to the heart-wrenching death of a three-year-old girl in a car accident in the Bronx. Bruckner Boulevard, where the crash occurred, is known for its massive potholes. The road was undergoing repair work and had been freshly milled, leaving a sewer cap raised and exposed. The girl’s father slowed down and tried to avoid it when a garbage truck slammed into the car after trying in vain to brake quickly.

Adding to the tragedy is that the family and grandparents were in the car taking the toddler to her dance recital. Many bystanders worked to get the crash victims out of the car, and the girl was rushed to the hospital, but she passed away an hour afterward.

Road Conditions Extremely Hazardous

As for the condition of the boulevard, a News 12 report said that when roads are graded, they’re often left unpaved for a few weeks to allow time for utility crews to come in and take advantage of the exposed roadway. Video footage from days after the crash showed how drivers on the chewed-up road slow substantially to adjust to the still visible potholes and scratched-up surface.

A woman interviewed called the Bruckner a death trap, feeling the road and elevated platform above needed serious work. She feels threatened by those conditions, as well as the large number of trucks that crowd the thoroughfare.

Criminal Case or Personal Injury Case?

News accounts said no criminality was expected to be found in this case, and the private-company garbage truck driver remained on the scene and cooperated fully. But this case can be used as an example of how different elements can come into play in a crash and how looking at what happens when a company, government agency, or person acts improperly in a way that causes harm to someone else.

First, should the city have allowed a road that hazardous to be used while under repair? Could they have better marked dangerous areas or rerouted traffic temporarily into another lane? Also, did whatever agency or company who did the roadwork do anything that could be considered negligent with their work? Road crews often leave debris or tools in the roadway causing needless accidents and are held responsible in personal injury cases.

When there are cases with commercial drivers, a trucking company can get into trouble if they haven’t properly vetted them. If the employee has a suspended license or a record of drunk driving, the company is blamed in some states for allowing a liability to be on the road. If they don’t complete inspections and repairs and their vehicle then malfunctions and causes an accident, the blame is on them as well.

Insurance Company Involvement

In many cases, insurance companies pay out for the damages and injuries caused by the policyholder. However, personal injury lawyers can usually get them to pay more, and they know other ways to increase compensation if the insurance companies are reticent or the limits are inadequate.

Injury attorneys also know when more than one entity is at fault for an accident and how to draw compensation from multiple parties.

Bronx Auto Accident Lawyers

At Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP, we have a team of experts seasoned in getting the best results in New York City and Westchester traffic accident cases. If you’d like a free case evaluation to find out what we can do for you, call us now at 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or reach us through the online contact form below.

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