Sybil Newton is a partner at Starnes Davis Florie and has practiced with the firm for over twenty years. She currently heads the firm's Appellate and Written Advocacy Group. Practice Prior to her position with the firm's Appellate and Written Advocacy Group, Sybil had an active trial practice, participating in over twenty jury trials, defending primarily medical malpractice actions across the state. She has handled a variety of appeals on behalf of litigants and has been retained by non-litigants to intervene as amicus curiae as well. Sybil also served as the Firm's Administrative Partner for six years. Sybil is currently serving as a member of the Standing Committee on Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure for the term of March 2009 - October 2012. In 2011, Sybil was recognized as a leading Appellate practitioner in the Eleventh Circuit by the 2011 - 2012 edition of Benchmark: Appellate, a part of Benchmark: Litigation, The Guide to America's Leading Litigation Firms and Attorneys. Highlights * Successfully handled an amicus matter on behalf of the University of Alabama Board of Trustees (currently pending on Application for Rehearing) regarding a matter of first impression -- the applicability of the doctrine of sovereign immunity to healthcare authorities formed by state universities. This appeal resulted in the reversal of a 3.2 million dollar verdict. Health Care Authority for Baptist Health v. Davis, 2011 WL 118268 (Ala., January 14, 2011). * Has handled a number of amicus matters over the years on behalf of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama including a recent case revisiting the constitutionality of the cap on damages in wrongful death malpractice cases. * Recently obtained an affirmance by the Alabama Supreme Court of summary judgment in favor of St. Vincent's Hospital in an appeal challenging the requirement that plaintiffs in medical malpractice actions must present expert testimony to establish causation. * Currently handling an appeal on behalf of a nationally based cable company involving issues of class certification and standing of class representatives. * Successfully handled a recent appeal before the Alabama Supreme Court (currently pending on Application for Rehearing) upholding summary judgment in favor of all defendants. This medical malpractice case involves issues of standing and whether a personal representative of an estate can maintain a wrongful death action filed prior to the representative's appointment by the probate court. * Successfully handled a recent appeal for a Alabama real estate development corporation on both contract and jurisdictional issues. * Successful in obtaining an affirmance by the Alabama Supreme Court of summary judgment for defendants in a legal malpractice action arising from multi-million dollar bond issue. Coilplus-Alabama, Inc. v. Johnnie F. Vann; Sirote & Permutt, P.C., 53 So. 3d 898 (Ala. 2010). * Successfully handled an appeal to the 11th Circuit on behalf of The University of Alabama in an issue involving a trademark dispute with sports artist Daniel A. Moore. Honors And Awards Sybil was appointed by The Supreme Court of Alabama as a member of the Standing Committee on Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure for the term of March 2009 - October 2012. Sybil also maintains an AV Peer Rating by Martindale Hubbell and was recognized as a leading Appellate practitioner in the Eleventh Circuit by the 2011 - 2012 edition of Benchmark: Appellate. Community Involvement Sybil is a member of the Cathedral Church of the Advent, which she attends with her husband and their five children. She also serves as a volunteer in the children's Christian Education Program, volunteers with United Way as an Allocation Team Member, and attends Christ Church, Fairfield, Alabama. Reported Cases Health Care Authority for Baptist Health v. Davis, 2011 WL 118268 (Ala., January 14, 2011) (NO. 1090084). Graves v. Brookwood Health Services, Inc., 43 So. 3d 1218 (Ala. 2009). Coilplus-Alabama, Inc. v. Johnnie F. Vann; Sirote & Permutt, P.C., 53 So. 3d 898 (Ala 2010). Groover v. Johnston, 39 So. 3d 33 (Ala. 2009). Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama v. New Life Art, Inc., 336 Fed. Appx. 860 (11th Cir. 2009). Wright Therapy Equipment, LLC v. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, 991 So. 2d 701 (Ala. 2008). McNeal v. City of Tarrant, 325 Fed. Appx. 794 (11th Cir. 2009). Bill Salter Advertising, Inc. v. City of Atmore, 294 Fed. Appx. 554 (11th Cir. 2008). Black v. Comer, 920 So. 2d 1083 (Ala. 2005). Lloyd Noland Hosp. v. Durham, 906 So. 2d 157 (Ala. 2005). Breaux v. Thurston, 888 So. 2d 1208 (Ala. 2003). Sullivan v. Mihelic, 808 So. 2d 6 (Ala. 2001). Thomas Spivey v. Crenshaw Baptist Hosp., 786 So. 2d 1151 (Ala. 2000). Mutual Assur., Inc. v. Chancey, 781 So. 2d 172 (Ala. 2000). Ex parte McCollough, 747 So. 2d 887 (Ala. 1999). Ex parte Debra Jean Stone and T. Gary Stone, 768 So. 2d 425 (Ala. 1999). Ex parte Hsu, 707 So. 2d 223 (Ala. 1997). Thomas v. Ekambaram, 706 So. 2d 1245 (Ala.Civ.App. 1997). Mihelic v. Sullivan, 686 So. 2d 1130 (Ala. 1996). Jefferson Clinic, P.C. v. Mixon, 684 So. 2d 127 (Ala. 1996). Henson v. Mobile Infirmary Ass'n, 646 So. 2d 559 (Ala. 1994). Williams v. Spring Hill Memorial Hosp., 646 So. 2d 1373 (Ala. 1994). Mobile Infirmary v. Delchamps, 642 So. 2d 954 (Ala. 1994). Reed v. Brookwood Medical Center, 641 So. 2d 1245 (Ala. 1994). Rose v. Rogers, 632 So. 2d 434 (Ala. 1993). Mutual Assur., Inc. v. Madden, 627 So. 2d 865 (Ala. 1993). Roberts v. Hutchins, 613 So. 2d 348 (Ala. 1993). Clements v. Dr. John Alvan Stewart, P.C., 595 So. 2d 858 (Ala. 1992). Moore v. Mobile Infirmary Ass'n, 592 So. 2d 156 (Ala. 1991). Ex parte King, 591 So. 2d 464 (Ala. 1991). Smith v. Medical Center East, 585 So. 2d 1325 (Ala. 1991). Roberts v. Hutchins, 572 So. 2d 1231 (Ala. 1990). Rose v. Decatur General Hosp., 571 So. 2d 997 (Ala.Civ.App. 1990). Vaughn By and Through Vaughn v. Griffith, 565 So. 2d 75 (Ala. 1990). Related News 8/20/2011, SDF's Appellate Group Recognized in Benchmark: Appellate 4/25/2010, Case Affirmed on Appeal by The Alabama Supreme Court 3/24/2009, The Supreme Court of Alabama Appoints Newton to Appellate Standing Committee |