Defense Digest

Chairman's Message
By Robert J. Coleman, Esq.

In the last edition of Defense Digest, we reinforced the concept that, as a firm, we are dedicated to maintaining our leadership in defense litigation.  We pointed out then that it has always been our mantra that our growth be controlled and part of a particular long-range strategy.  At times, our strategy may not always be transparent.  For instance, back in April of 2000, some people may have wondered why the firm saw fit to open what was then a small, three-attorney office in Tampa, Florida.

Our Florida initiative was part of our plan to become a major player in the Sunshine State.  Thus, it is my extreme pleasure to announce the opening of our 19^th regional office in Jacksonville, Florida.  All of our new attorneys in Jacksonville come from the firm of Obringer, DeCandio and Oosting, and its predecessors, who have practiced law in Florida since 1882.  This new regional office will include four new shareholders as well as two associates and a complement of paralegals and support staff.

Mike Obringer, Esquire, who will serve as our managing shareholder in Jacksonville, brings with him a wealth of trial experience in defense litigation, and for some 30 years he has concentrated his practice in professional liability and products liability.  His good friend and partner for many years, Mike DeCandio, Esquire, has been practicing in the area for more than 20 years, and both of these attorneys are reputed to be among the crème de la crème of defense litigators in all of northern Florida.

Over the many months that it took to consummate our relationship, it became clear that all the lawyers in the Obringer firm are competent, cost-effective, and service-oriented practitioners.  In the course of our due diligence, we quickly learned that many of their clients were also clients of ours.  Without exception, these men and women received the highest accolades in terms of their stewardship.  Why did such a revered firm decide to cast their lot with us?  As Mike Obringer commented, "It is far more difficult for small litigation firms to flourish in our current environment.  Jacksonville has become a thriving commercial area of Florida, and many of the larger firms have designs on promoting their litigation prowess in our area.  We decided that Marshall, Dennehey had the expertise, reputation, and back-up to make this the perfect fit for us."

The addition of the six attorneys from Jacksonville brings our total number of Florida attorneys to 27.   Our original modest effort in Tampa was the linchpin for our continued success throughout Florida.  Our Orlando office was opened in April of 2001 followed by the opening of our Ft. Lauderdale office in March of 2002.  Our four offices in Florida confirm our presence as one of the premier litigation firms and certainly the fastest growing.  Rest assured that our growth in Florida will continue.  Although our short-term goals have been met, we have bigger plans for Florida owing to the many favorable comments from existing clients who continue to applaud our efforts.  Now more than ever, our expertise in assimilating outstanding trial attorneys in other jurisdictions has served us well.  We are indeed optimistic about our future and the growth and prosperity of our firm. 

The new attorneys who have joined our firm in Jacksonville are:

Shareholders
Michael DeCandio
Michael  Obringer
Susan Oosting
Robert Thomas Roberts

Associates
Julio Salvadore
Laura Starrett  

As always, I invite any comments you may have.  Please feel free to call me directly by telephone at (215) 575-2614 or confidentially by mail at 1845 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa.  19103 or by e-mail at rcoleman@mdwcg.com.

Thank you.