Law Firm Walks to Its Heart's Content

The members of HensonFuerst do more than fight for their clients--they're also fighting for the millions of people affected by heart disease, the nation's leading killer. For the third year in a row, the firm's members will walk to raise funds and awareness during the American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk in Rocky Mount on Saturday, Oct. 24. The team has raised a total of $2,770 during the past two walks and hopes to increase that amount by at least $1,750 this year.

"We want to show everyone how strongly we feel about being heart healthy and keeping fit," attorney David Henson said. "We're working together to raise money for research and encourage our friends, family, and neighbors to lead healthier lives."

Leading by Example

The members of HensonFuerst know the importance of heart health at any age. Whether it's participating in triathlons, running for a cause, or cycling 100 miles, many firm members--whose ages range from 18 to 70--have participated in athletic events to raise money for various charities. To recognize the importance of being healthy as well as giving back to the community, the firm established the HensonFuerst Health Initiative to encourage the community and firm members to prevent injuries, promote health and fitness, and aid organizations committed to improving health and well-being.

Taking North Carolina's Pulse

• One in every three North Carolinians has some form of heart disease.
• More than 30 percent of deaths statewide are caused by cardiovascular disease--that's one death every 22 minutes.
• Each year, total hospital charges for heart disease exceed $3.3 billion in North Carolina.

American Heart Association's Start! Heart Walk

As the American Heart Association's signature fund-raising event, the Start! Heart Walk promotes physical activity and heart-healthy living in a fun family environment. This year, at least 1 million walkers will participate in hundreds of events across the country. The walk has raised more than $600 million nationwide since it was launched in 1994.

About HensonFuerst

HensonFuerst, P.A., is a North Carolina-based law firm focusing on catastrophic injury, nursing home abuse, auto accident, workers' compensation, Social Security Disability, and mass tort cases. For more than 30 years, the lawyers at HensonFuerst have represented those injured by the negligence of others. With successful multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements throughout the state of North Carolina, the team of 11 lawyers and 37 staff members at HensonFuerst offers considerable experience and resources for their clients. For more information about the firm, visit www.HensonFuerst.com.

Lindsay Middlesworth Joins The Bray Law Firm

The Bray Law Firm is pleased to announce that Lindsay Middlesworth has joined the firm in an Of Counsel capacity, and will represent clients in the firm's active business litigation practice area.

"We are pleased to welcome Lindsay to the firm," said William Bray, the firm's founding member. "Lindsay brings unique experience to our litigation practice, and is possessed with genuine 'real world' insight that we fully expect our clients will embrace and appreciate as she grows into her role."

Lindsay is a graduate of North Carolina State University and the North Carolina Central University School of Law. She served as a prosecutor in the Wake County District Attorney's Office from 1996 to 2000, after which she opened her own firm in Raleigh where she practiced in both the civil and criminal courts. From 2006 through early-2009 Lindsay owned and operated a residential construction company in Charlotte which specialized in custom homes.

The Bray Law Firm's litigation practice constitutes approximately 50% of the firm's overall work. It practices in both the state and federal courts of North Carolina and South Carolina. Lindsay will work in matters such as the enforcement of mechanic's liens on behalf of contractors and subcontractors, shareholder disputes in closely-held businesses and general commercial litigation on behalf of the firm's entire client base.

Now in its seventh year, The Bray Law Firm is a four-attorney, boutique business law firm specializing in the representation of small to mid-size companies throughout the Carolinas, which it assists in matters ranging from incorporation to mergers and acquisition. In addition to its general corporate practice, the Bray Law Firm is one of the few firms in the country with a dedicated emphasis to representing clients in NASCAR and motorsports.

Bill Signed by Governor Makes Significant Change to North Carolina Marital Law, Attorney Says

A new North Carolina law that blocks jilted spouses from suing third parties over lost love and affection in some situations is an important modernization of the marital statute, a Cary attorney says.

"This is a progressive step that will protect third parties from becoming collateral damage in divorce litigation, just because they happen to start a relationship with someone who is already separated," said Charles H. Montgomery, a Cary attorney who is a North Carolina board-certified family law specialist.

The change of law, signed in August by Gov. Beverly Perdue, rewrites the rules on the legal theories known as alienation of affection and criminal conversation. Those actions allow a spouse whose husband or wife takes up with another person to sue for money damages.

The change of law will become effective Oct. 1 and applies to acts occurring after that date.

Under the revised law, a third party who begins a relationship with a person who is married but separated from his or her spouse can no longer be sued by the spouse for alienation of affection or criminal conversation, so long as the relationship began after the date of physical separation.

The revised law also prevents businesses from being named in lawsuits for alienation of affection or criminal conversation.

Montgomery served as chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Family Law Section of the N.C. Bar Association, and helped promote the bill through the legislative process. He appeared before a Senate committee and spoke in support of the bill earlier this year.

North Carolina is one of only five states that still recognizes the tort of alienation of affection and one of only eight that allows an action for criminal conversation.

The change will make the claims consistent with the state's alimony statute that cuts off claims of adultery and marital misconduct in support of alimony after the date of separation.


About Charles H. Montgomery

The law offices of Charles H. Montgomery have been devoted for many years to handling family law cases, including divorce, child support, child custody, domestic violence, alimony, division of marital property, separation, pre-nuptial agreements and adoption. The firm is interested in resolution, not unnecessary confrontation and embraces alternative dispute resolution methods such as mediation and arbitration.

Mr. Montgomery is a certified Superior Court mediator and is president of Family Law Mediation, Inc.

Contact Charles H. Montgomery at (919) 816-9002 or visit the firm's Web site, http://www.montylaw.com/, for more information.

Busy Workers' Compensation Group Will Spin Off from Sands Anderson Law Firm

The Workers' Compensation Practice Group at the law firm of Sands Anderson Marks & Miller, P.C. will be spun off from the firm as a separate shareholder-owned company and plans to become completely independent later this year, firm president M. Pierce Rucker announced today.

"This step, consistent with our most recent strategic plan, occurs through a process common in the corporate world, but rare among law firms," said Rucker, "and represents an innovative and exciting business growth model developed by the shareholders of the Workers' Compensation group and Sands Anderson's Board of Directors."

"We're thrilled to have this chance to chart our own course," Cecil H. Creasey, chair of the Workers' Compensation group, said. The practice group, with the law firm's blessing and support, began planning for this change months ago, with client service as the focus.

"Our group continues working to ensure that its transition to independence will be a seamless, service-enhancing change from the clients' point of view. The entire team -- lawyers, paralegals and staff -- has eagerly embraced this new adventure and the opportunities that come with it," Creasey explained.

"Taking control of their own costs and revenue will enable this very busy group of lawyers and workers' compensation professionals to maintain the flexibility and agility necessary to effectively meet their clients' needs, while allowing Sands Anderson to continue focusing its resources and efforts on the practice areas identified in its strategic plan," said Rucker. The Worker's Compensation firm will have offices in Richmond and the New River Valley and employ 25 to 30 people. Sands Anderson Marks & Miller, P.C. will continue to operate all five of its present offices.

Founded more than 150 years ago, Sands Anderson has 75 North Carolina and Virginia lawyers practicing among its offices in Richmond, Blacksburg, Fredericksburg and McLean, Virginia, and the Research Triangle of North Carolina. In 2009, it ranked 7th in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly's annual listing of the state's largest law firms. Sands Anderson provides a full range of legal services to corporations and businesses, healthcare providers, financial institutions, state and local governments, the insurance industry and individuals. For more information, visit www.SandsAnderson.com.