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Attorney Awards
About Attorney Awards
Legionnaires’/Infectious Disease
Claims stemming from exposure to Legionella bacteria are rapidly proliferating at an alarming rate and has generated increased claims for personal injuries and economic damages against hotels, contractors, hospitals, and other establishments.
WSHB possesses vast knowledge and trial experience in defending against Legionellosis and infectious disease claims. Attorneys in this practice group are National Monitoring Counsel for multiple clients and consult on Legionellosis and infectious disease cases across the country.
We handle a wide range of Legionnaires’ disease matters, including:
Handled dozens of cases in Nevada and California state and federal courts involving Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever
Defense of over 1,000 claims of Legionnaires’ disease involving luxury hotels on the Las Vegas Strip
Defense of multiple widely publicized Legionnaires’ disease outbreaks
Counsel regarding best practices and risk mitigation tools
Rapid response and public relations guidance due to Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever outbreak, and investigations by local health departments of Centers for Disease Control
Assist property owners and managers interfacing with local health departments to respond to Legionnaires’ disease claims against property owners
Defense of major cruise line against claims of Legionnaires’ disease outbreak attributed to contaminated water systems
Representative Matters for Infectious Diseases
Represented an international developer of power plants in an action by multiple plaintiffs alleging that jobsite exposure to the fungus coccidioides led to the development of Valley fever. Plaintiffs claimed to have severe pulmonary and cognitive injures as a result. Following a four week jury trial, a complete defense verdict was returned. Based on the special verdict form, the jury found that plaintiffs had not proven causation, a finding upheld on appeal.
Defense of major hotel groups in various jurisdictions involving bodily injury and wrongful death claims allegedly caused from exposure to a cooling tower.
Represented a global hospitality and entertainment company in the defense of multiple state and federal actions, and hundreds of non-litigated claims of Legionnaires’ disease and Pontiac fever following a nationally publicized Legionella outbreak. Provided public relations guidance and interfaced with local health departments regarding ongoing investigation.
Currently represent the lead defendant in a series of cases filed in response to the 2012 Hantavirus outbreak in Yosemite National Park. These cases were filed in the U.S. District Courts throughout the country and are currently pending as part of a Multi-District Litigation proceeding in federal court in San Francisco.
Product Liability, Transportation, Professional Liability, Commercial and Business Litigation, Corporate, Real Estate and Land Use, Hospitality, Complex Tort and Casualty, Automobile Accidents, Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, Insurance
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Insurance, Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Construction, Professional Liability, Employment, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Blockchain and Cryptocurrency, Complex Tort and Casualty, Arbitration
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Commercial and Business Litigation, Transportation, Product Liability, Cybersecurity and Data Privacy, Medical Malpractice and Healthcare Law, Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices, Complex Tort and Casualty
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5.0/5.0
Review for
Janice Michaels
by a Managing Partner
on 08/02/14
in Construction Law
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
Janice is a tribute to the legal profession. She invariably exhibits professionalism and decorum. She is always well prepared and has a compelling presence in the courtroom and elsewhere.
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5.0/5.0
Review for
Melanie L. Thomas
by a Attorney
on 06/04/20
in Medical Malpractice
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
Ms. Thomas is a brilliant attorney. she understands rules, and the law perfectly, and her application is daunting to opposing counsel. I am proud that she is a member of our bar.
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Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity
and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service.
Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.
At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.
At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.
At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.
A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious
Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:
AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him
or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP got this award in 2026
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A,
publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.
Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.
