Appellate Victory for Injured Firefighters
In November 2023, Skip Walker and Jeff Walker obtained a stunning appellate victory, reversing a jury verdict that hinged on application of the firefighter’s rule, which basically says first responders assume the risk of injury when carrying out their duties. The underlying case, Rattary v. Favro, involves extremely serious injuries to firefighters who were struck…
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Hubris in the Courtroom
HUBRIS IN THE COURTROOM by Walter Walker Firm partner Walter "Skip" Walker presented at the 2021 Western Trial Lawyers Association's Summer Seminar, held in Maui, Hawaii from June 7 - 11. This conference brings together trial lawyers from around the country. As the association's website says, "From Masters of the Courtroom to litigation neophytes, everyone…
Read MoreLessons From a Novelist on Picking a Jury
[Originally published in Plaintiff Magazine, January 2020.] The story you tell must be yours, not one that somebody else has told in another place at another time. In my “other” career, I write novels. Usually they are about lawyers. Always they have been published by major publishing houses. On more than one occasion they have…
Read MoreGreat Cases I have Lost – and the lessons learned
[This article originally appeared in Plaintiff Magazine in April 2018.] Lesson Number One In 1985, I tried the Alpine Meadows Avalanche case in Placer County for four and a half months. It took over two weeks to pick a jury in August, and in December the chosen 12 deliberated for two and a half weeks…
Read MoreThe Perils of Coat Tailing
[This article originally appeared in Plaintiff Magazine May 18, 2017.] When you hitch a ride on someone else’s trial, remember – “Nobody Rides for Free” Perhaps this has happened to you. A friend approaches, a colleague, a referral source. There is a fine case underway. A good attorney has it. Discovery is being conducted and…
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