Bethany L. Bolger

Ms. Bolger joined the firm as an associate in 2005 and primarily practices in media law, labor and employment law, appeals, insurance defense, and professional liability. She has represented companies and individuals in various types of litigation and has advised clients on non-litigation matters, particularly with respect to employment and media law.

Ms. Bolger advises media clients on legal issues, defending libel claims and subpoena requests. She is also experienced in defending employers before the EEOC and the Department of Labor as well as assisting them on a variety of legal issues.

Ms. Bolger has participated in numerous appeals in cases ranging from wrongful death and professional liability to negligence and breach of contract.  She has obtained favorable decisions in complex litigation and has successfully worked to overturn excessive jury verdicts and to secure dismissal of clients prior to trial. Ms. Bolger regularly practices in state and federal courts, preparing petitions and motions at the pre-trial, trial, and post-judgment stages.

Recent Practice Highlights

Assisted in securing dismissal of client in high-profile election case and in successfully defending the decision on appeal before a specially appointed supreme court: Rice v. Chapman, No. 1091133

Assisted in successful removal of two related wrongful-death cases to federal court and obtained favorable opinions denying the plaintiff’s motions to remand: Harden v. Peek, No. 2:09-cv-00841-KD-B Dominguez v. Peek, No. 2:09-cv-00842-KD-B

Assisted in obtaining appellate relief in favor of hospital in medical-malpractice case; appellate court vacated the trial court’s post-judgment order, reinstating summary judgment in favor of client: Ex parte Jackson Hospital & Clinic, Inc., No. 1090269

Secured summary judgment in favor of doctor in medical-malpractice case and successfully defended judgment on appeal. Ray v. Aldrich, No. 1080110

Assisted in successful removal of breach of contract/bad faith case to federal court and obtained favorable opinion denying the plaintiff’s motion to remand: Wilson v. Central United Life Insurance Company, No. 6:09-cv-01343-TMO

Successfully defended summary judgment in favor of dentist in medical-malpractice case on appeal: Richards v. Cawley, No. 2080792

Assisted in obtaining appellate reversal after trial court awarded significant attorney’s fees against client: Herring-Malbis I, LLC v. TEMCO, Inc., No. 2080296

Assisted in obtaining appellate relief in favor of client in vehicular negligence case; appellate court vacated trial court’s order denying motion for a change of venue filed on behalf of client:Ex parte Stacey McKenzie, No. 1080835

Assisted in obtaining appellate reversal in favor of client after trial court granted a new trial in favor of plaintiff; appellate decision involved collateral source issues and is considered by many in the Alabama defense bar to be a key decision on this area of the law: Melvin v. Loats, No. 2070922

Presentations

Ms. Bolger has participated in board meetings as legal counsel for the Alabama Press Association and occasionally lectures to news editors across the state on legal issues.

Publications

Ms. Bolger co-authored an article published in DRI’s For the Defense (June 2010)

Honors and Awards

Ms. Bolger graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences and received special honors for completing a thesis on the First Amendment. She obtained her juris doctor from Boston College Law School.

Community Involvement

Through the Montgomery chapter of the Federal Bar Association, Ms. Bolger is involved in a pilot reentry court program of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. The program is designed to help ex-offenders at high risk of re-offending. She is also active in the outreach committee for her church.