Capehart Scatchard’s Dram Shop and Security Practice Group includes seasoned litigation defense attorneys who focus on protecting restaurant and bar owners/operators and the contract security guard companies often retained to provide site security. We accomplish this by being the best at what we do and by staying abreast of the latest developments in this practice area, including changes in the law related to contractual defenses such as indemnity, limitations of liability and insurance obligations in the jurisdictions we routinely appear. We also offer consultative and advisory services to businesses and insurers alike in the areas of risk management, regulatory compliance, and best practices. Our goal is to prevent or minimize unnecessary litigation by seeking efficient and effective resolutions of our assigned cases while maintaining the highest professional standards in the defense of our liquor liability and security clients and their insurers in the following areas:
- Restaurant Owners/Operators
- Outdoor Concert Promoters and Organizers
- Venue Owners and Social Hosts
- Security Guard Companies
- Outdoor and Indoor Sporting Event Promoters
- Nightclubs and After-Hours Bars
- Carnival Concession Operators
- Retail Liquor Store Owners
Our Approach
The business practices of the insured are central to the successful outcome of every liquor liability and/or security lawsuit. The winning defense of such claims requires the defense attorneys to understand the liquor and/or security business of the insured and have the experience to present the facts of the case in a light most favorable to the insured. The key advantage of Capehart Scatchard’s Dram Shop and Security Liability Practice Group is our legal experience and ability to present the insured’s internal best practices to the fact finder in order to obtain the best results for the insured and insurer. Led by our AV rated trial counsel and appellate attorneys, our approach yields a more cost effective and expeditious resolution of the case by minimizing the need for outside experts and consultants.
Our attorneys are trained to evaluate each case assigned to our office for its potential for an early resolution, if possible, to avoid excess litigation costs. Therefore, we take advantage of frivolous litigation letters, offers in judgment, and motions to dismiss in lieu of Answers to force plaintiff’s counsel to become more reasonable in their expectations early on in the case.
Capehart Scatchard is panel counsel with numerous national insurance carriers, risk retention groups and self insureds.
