More On Our Cases...
Due to some client requests for anonymity we cannot fully list all of the high profile cases we have worked on here. The cases below are listed only after direct permission from the clients and counsel involved.
City Veterinarian Sues City Pound
When fired
BARC Veterinarian Dr. Gil Costas decided to file a whistleblower lawsuit
against the City of Houston, his attorney Martin Shellist of Shellist Lazarz
LLP called Media Masters for help. Media Masters arranged a press conference
announcing the lawsuit attended by every major media outlet in Houston. The
resulting media coverage resutled in 13 stories filed about the lawsuit.
Defending Michael Jackson's Doctor
When Michael Jackson died
unexpectedly the morning of June 26, the world was stunned. Michael
Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray was immediately
interviewed by investigators. Dr. Murray hired the law firm of
Stradley, Chernoff & Alford to help guide him through the
investigation into his friend and patient's death. Partners at the firm
hired Media Masters to help work on the legal team and field more than
300 international media requests for interviews.
Maersk Alabama Crew Member Files Lawsuit Against Employer for Failing to Protect Him From Pirates
Attorney Terry Bryant filed a lawsuit against Maersk Line, Ltd. and Waterman Steamship Corporation for knowingly sending Richard Hicks into pirate-infested waters near Somalia without adequate protection. Hicks was taken hostage by Somali pirates April 8 while working as chief steward preparing food for crewmembers. When Hicks heard over the loudspeaker that pirates were on board he and other crewmembers feared for their lives.
"Waterman Steamship Corporation and Maersk Line chose to rely on the United States Military and taxpayers to provide after-the-fact rescue operations," Says Bryant. "This choice caused substantially more cost and risk to human life than what would have been incurred by Defendants had they provided appropriate levels of security in the first place."
Attorneys File Lawsuit Against Rick's Cabaret Claiming Employer Puts Drunk Dancers on Houston Roads
A good Samaritan pulls over to help a stranded motorist on New Years Eve and is killed by a drunk driver coming off her shift at Rick's Cabaret. Hank Stout, of Houston Firm Sutliff & Stout, representing the man's mother enlists the help of Media Masters to bring the dangerous employment practices of the club owners to the public's attention. The resulting story is aired on all Houston TV stations, the Houston Chronicle and news radio.
Sherman Bus Crash Victims Vow To Change Laws That Led to 17 Deaths In Bus Accident
After a retreaded tire blew on a bus carrying members of the Vietnamese Catholic group, community members vowed to make sure this tragedy never happens again. Attorneys Tammy Tran and Rob Ammons called on Media Masters to help them raise public awareness about the necessity of stricter safety standards on motor coaches and tougher penalties for those bus owners who break the law.
Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina Talks About Grand Jury Indictments
After fire investigators told the media Texas Supreme Court Justice David Medina was a suspect in a fire that destroyed his Spring, Texas home, Medina's attorney, Terry Yates of Terry W. Yates and Associates called on Media Masters to help. Media Masters and Terry Yates worked closely to develop a strategy for communicating with the media that shared Justice Medina's side of the story while protecting his reputation.
John O'Quinn Files Petition To Free Ex-Dynegy Accountant Jamie Olis
John O'Quinn of the O'Quinn Law Firm leads a team of attorneys determined to free Jamie Olis from federal prison. Olis was convicted in 2003 for his involvement in Dynegy's "Project Alpha" accounting transaction. The defense team called on Media Masters to help get their message out to the public that Jamie Olis was wrongfully convicted. O'Quinn and his team of attorneys including Tammy Tran and Lloyd Kelley, say Olis did not receive a fair trial due to gross prosecutorial misconduct. Media Masters' involvement resulted in over 130 stories filed locally and nationally, a number that continues to grow as the case progresses.
Mortgage Fraud Indictments Thrown Out Accused Gets New Chance to Tell Her Side of the Story
Criminal defense attorney Carl Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm escorts his client Elizabeth Macklin to talk to prosecutors about his clients' indictment with the Grand Jury. Macklin's indictments for mortgage fraud was thrown out because of a paperwork mistake discovered by Terry Yates rendered all Grand Jury indictments from the previous three months invalid. Carl Haggard called on Media Masters to help his client tell her side of the story to the court of public opinion.
Drag Racing Death Turns Mother's Despair to Action
When Susan Reiter's son Daniel was killed by street racers in a car colision, the media immediately besieged the grieving mother for an exclusive interview. Reiter's attorney, Mike Moriarty, Partner, The Moriarty Firm, called on Media Masters for help communicating Reiter's fight for tougher penalties against illegal street racing. Media Masters trained Reiter and her son Brent and arranged for the family to give exclusive interviews with the Houston Chronicle and KHOU.
Mattress Mac Takes a Stand For Thoroughbred Horse Owners
When Jim McIngvale decided to fight for Thoroughbred owners rights his attorney, Hank Stout of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, understood the critical need for a media expert and called on Media Masters. A media plan designed for the Thoroughbred racing audience raised awareness of the need for enforceable guidelines to protect horse owners from unscrupulous horse sales practices.
New Logo
Saw 'Em Off Saved!
When the University of Texas board of Regents decided to sue Aggie businessman, Fadi Kalaouze over his use of the Saw 'Em Off logo, Kalaouze's attornney, Allan Van Fleet, Greenberg Traurig Shareholder called upon Media Masters to ensure his client's message was heard. Media Masters created a media plan designed to not only raise awareness of the bullying practices of the regents against Kalaouze, but also raise money for the legal defense fund. As a result of Media Master's efforts, over $100,000 was raised to help pay for Kalaouze's legal bills and the UT Regents quickly settled the case with only minor modifications made to the old logo due to the overwhelming pressure by UT alumni to end the embarrassing suit.
City of Dallas vs. The Homeless
When the city of Dallas attempted to pass a law making it illegal to feed the homeless in areas of downtown Dallas, Howrey LLP attorneys and Big Hart Ministries called upon Media Masters for guidance. Media Masters continues to assist Howrey attorneys in litigation communication strategies with the media to ensure the homeless of Dallas have the right to benefit from the kindness of Dallas citizens.
Louisiana FEMA Trailer Evictions
Louisiana's Jefferson Parish passed an ordinance forcing 3,000 property owners to vacate their FEMA trailers and either move into their storm damaged homes or vehicles. Attorneys for Loyola University and Greenberg Traurig called Media Masters to ensure the resident's pleas for an extension were heard by the media.
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