2024 saw H&P Law achieve unprecedented results on behalf of our clients. Our Las Vegas personal injury lawyers take pride in supporting our clients through life-changing accidents, and we’re pleased to report that our efforts saw money put back into the hands of accident victims.
Highlights from H&P Law’s 2024 include the following:
Receiving a Placement Among the Top Largest Arizona Verdicts of 2023
In 2016, a drowsy or distracted Swift Trucking tractor-trailer driver collided with a clergyman on the way home from a religious mission. The clergyman reached out to H&P Law for legal support, leading the firm to pursue Rowland v. Ngoh.
Our team accused Swift Trucking and its driver of dangerous distracted driving. While Swift Trucking tried to blame the rainy weather and the inherent risk of driving at night, the company could not waive fault for the accident.
H&P Law exposed the truth and saw its client receive a seven-figure verdict. That verdict ranked as the fifth-largest verdict in Arizona in 2023.
Achieving Victory in Herndon v. Henderson Police Department
Attorneys Matt Pfau and Marjorie Hauf spearheaded H&P Law’s first civil rights case of its kind when pursuing Herndon v. Henderson Police Department. The case found its roots when, in 2018, the Henderson Police Department responded to reports of a suspected shoplifter at Sportsman’s Warehouse.
The response from police officers unnecessarily endangered bystanders and reflected an excessive use of force by the department. During the chaos, Sergeant Michael Gillis struck assistant store manager Jim Herndon, a retired law enforcement officer himself. The butt of Gillis’s rifle struck Herndon in the head, resulting in a concussion and a blowout orbital fracture.
This violence came in the wake of Herndon’s compliance with the department’s chaotic response to reports of a shoplifter–reports that should not have led to the violent treatment of store staff.
The Culmination of the Case
While Herndon v. Henderson Police Department underwent a complicated procedural history, it concluded with a two-week trial. This trial saw H&P Law call on the expert testimony of Seth Stoughton, a renowned police practices expert whose previous experience includes expertise provided to the George Floyd case.
The jury attending Herndon v. Henderson Police Department deliberated for six hours before awarding Herndon a $450,000 verdict. The jury believed that the Henderson Police Department engaged in negligence, excessive force, and deliberate indifference.
H&P Law is proud of Jim’s perseverance and commitment to community safety over the past six years. We also want to celebrate our firm’s contribution to the continued protection of civil rights and fair treatment throughout Nevada.
Welcoming Senior Litigation Attorney Fikisha Miller to the H&P Law Team
2024 also saw H&P Law welcome Fikisha Miller to the team as a Senior Litigation Attorney. Miller pursued her undergraduate degree at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she cultivated a passion for legal practice. She graduated magna cum laude before going on to earn her law degree from Tulane Law School in New Orleans, LA.
Miller kickstarted her career in Nashville, TN, where she worked as a public defender. She spent years honing her litigation skills and giving back to her community. Miller speaks fondly of directing the education of a new generation of paralegals through an ABA-approved program at Volunteer State College.
H&P Law knows that Miller’s commitment to justice, mentorship, and excellence in litigation makes her a valuable addition to the team. We look forward to celebrating her legal successes in the years to come.
Presenting at the Sold-Out NJA Convention in Newport Beach, CA
In 2024, the NJA Convention in Newport Beach, CA, sold out. Participants highly anticipated opportunities to speak with renowned guests courtesy of the Richard A. Harris Series of Continuing Legal Education, supported by the esteemed Nevada Justice Association (NJA).
Here, Marjorie Hauf and Matt Pfau of H&P Law shared their legal expertise during breakout sessions with attendees. These breakout sessions allowed them both to offer listeners the opportunity to learn more about the practical strategies that may help them work up a case for a trial.
Their sessions came alongside a diverse array of advanced training courses and exhibitions from other experienced industry professionals.
Celebrating Marjorie Hauf’s Receipt of the “Trial Lawyer of the Year” Award
2024 also saw Marjorie Hauf receive the honor of the “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award from the NJA. The NJA announced Hauf’s receipt of this award at the 2024 Summer Gala Awards, a prestigious event that recognizes lawyers, legislators, and judges who’ve taken pains to champion Nevada consumers.
The authorities celebrated at the Summer Gala Awards consistently protect consumers from individual recklessness, corporate malpractice, and the unscrupulous practices of greedy insurance companies.
The “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award celebrates Hauf’s unwavering dedication to H&P Law’s clients. Since her admission to the bar in 2002, Hauf has established a career as a trial lawyer in Nevada that positions her as a voice for clients from all backgrounds. Her commitment to the pursuit of justice and dedication to her clients sees her admired by her colleagues and peers.
Acknowledging Hauf’s Pursuit of Justice in the Face of Significant Challenges
The NJA’s “Trial Lawyer of the Year” award does not automatically go to the lawyer who has the best win-loss record in the state–though Hauf’s record does boast several significant verdicts secured on behalf of her clients.
Instead, the award is all-encompassing. It recognizes Hauf’s continued dedication to her clients in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds and complex legal challenges. H&P Law and the NJA want the legal community to recognize that Hauf has made a tireless effort to inspire her community, stand up for her clients, and continue growing as a legal professional.
It goes without saying that Hauf’s unwavering commitment to justice makes her an invaluable asset to H&P Law.
