Drake is a partner at Starnes Davis Florie and a member of the firm's recruiting committee. Practice Drake's practice is devoted to civil litigation, including complex commercial and contractual disputes, financial services claims, insurance services claims, and class actions. He has handled cases for a variety of clients including corporations, banks, real estate companies, collection agencies, insurance companies, and brokers, in federal and state courts across the country. Drake has successfully litigated cases involving breach of contract, fraud, bad faith, professional negligence, breach of fiduciary duty, and trademark infringement, as well as the FDCPA, FCRA, and RESPA. Highlights Recent highlights include: * Tried bench trial on damages in Superior Court of Fulton County, Georgia, and obtained judgment in excess of $200,000 on behalf of real estate finance company. * Successfully prosecuted claims on behalf of national bank in trademark infringement case in federal court in South Carolina. * Successfully briefed and obtained dismissal of case before the U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit. * Part of defense team that successfully represented financial institution against class action claims in federal bankruptcy court. * Obtained summary judgment on behalf of financial institution as to all claims arising out of alleged lender fraud. * Currently representing insurance agency against claims arising from the purchase and implementation of an excess insurance coverage policy. Community Involvement Drake is a member of the American Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, Alabama Defense Lawyers' Association, and Birmingham Bar Association. He also attends Church of the Highlands and volunteers at the First Light Shelter. Reported Cases ACCU v. CUMIS Insurance Society, Inc., 2011 WL 1460434 (N.D. Ala. April 8, 2011). Medical Services, LLC v. GMW & Company, Inc, 969 So.2d 158 (Ala. 2006). Speeches And Publications * "Class Action Developments: What Recent Cases and Pending Policy Changes Mean for your Litigation, Investigation and Settlement Strategies," American Conference Institute's 12th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation - Orlando, Florida (October 2011). * "The Recovery of Mental Anguish/Emotional Distress Damages in Alabama," ABICLE Tort Law Update Seminar (December 2010). Related News 11/2/2011, Drake Blackmon Speaks at the American Conference Institute's 12th National Conference on Consumer Finance Class Actions & Litigation 2/2/2011, Drake Blackmon Named Partner of Starnes Davis Florie |