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Freeborn & Peters LLP Wins Jury Trial in Class Action Lawsuit

On December 6, 2004, after a four week trial, a federal court jury in Seattle, Washington returned a defense verdict in favor of Freeborn & Peters LLP's client, a major railroad company, in a class action lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. In the lawsuit, Plaintiffs attempted to rescind thousands of releases relating to settlements for noise induced hearing loss claims by current and former railroad employees. Plaintiffs alleged that the railroad and a Portland, Oregon law firm that represents the employees conspired to settle claims pursuant to a secret agreement. Plaintiffs' attorneys estimated that the railroad's exposure on the hearing loss claims would range up to $800 million if the releases were rescinded. The jury rendered a verdict in favor of the railroad after specifically finding that the railroad did not enter into any secret agreement with the Portland law firm to conceal information. Weston W. Marsh led the successful Freeborn & Peters LLP trial team, which also included partners John Z. Lee, Steven E. Cyranoski and Douglas A. Albritton.