News

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, is a form of anxiety that may develop after exposure to a sudden, terrifying event in which physical harm occurs or is threatened. Individuals who suffer from serious injuries as a result of being in a traumatic accident such as a train crash or a fatal auto or trucking accident… read more

Summer 2008 Newsletter

You can read our Newsletter Here. (pdf link)

Spring 2008 Newsletter

You can read our Newsletter Here. (pdf link)

Closing the Justice Gap: AB 2301

By Joseph L. Chairez OCBA President The need for legal representation for the poor exceeds current pro bono and charitable fundraising efforts. A recent study shows that there are over 8,000 low-income persons per legal aid lawyer in the state. Volunteer attorneys and the California Legislature seek to close this gap with the implementation of AB… read more

Taking The Lead On Railroad Passenger Safety

As discussed in a previous newsletter, Aitken * Aitken * Cohn was appointed by the Orange County Superior Court to serve as Liaison Counsel on behalf of all plaintiffs who were involved in the April 23, 2002, head-on train collision in Placentia, California. This collision was the worse collision in Metrolink’s 10 year history and… read more

Fall 2007 Newsletter

You can read our Newsletter Here. (pdf link)

Client Profile – Jim MacLaren

Our former client, Jim MacLaren, is a motivational speaker and author, noted for his record-breaking performances in the marathon and ironman triathlon after having his left leg amputated below the knee. Jim was a successful scholar-athlete at Yale where he not only excelled in his course studies, but also lacrosse and football. He majored in… read more

Wylie Aitken Receives Lifetime Legal Achievement Award

Wylie, Elizabeth Edwards and Mike Farrell were recently honored in Beverly Hills by the Foundation for Taxpayer and Consumer Rights (FTCR). Wylie was presented the Lifetime Legal Achievement Award by Chris and Ashleigh Aitken; Elizabeth Edwards was presented the Phillip Burton Public Service Award by Warren Beatty; and, Mike Farrell was presented the Citizen Activist… read more

Products Liability in “Plain English” – The New CACI Jury Instructions

Introduction     In 2003 the Judicial Council of California set forth the new California Civil Jury Instructions (CACI, pronounced “Casey”) which affect virtually all areas of civil practice — including products liability.  The “Preface” to the new instructions indicates that the intent was “to write instructions that are legally accurate and understandable to the average juror.” … read more

Jury Vior Dire Hypothetical Fact Pattern

This is a wrongful death case where Plaintiff Mary P’s 38 year old son, John P., was killed on a construction site (when he came into contact with a live electrical wire that had been unearthed during excavation work). The incident occurred at the University of Orange County, during the construction of this new University…. read more