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Rankin Savidge, PLLC is excited to announce that John S. Meade IV has been elected as a Partner of the firm. The firm is proud to recognize John’s exceptional legal expertise, dedication to our clients, and valuable contributions to the firm’s success.

John joined the firm as a Senior Associate in June of 2021 and quickly proved himself to be an outstanding attorney whose insight, zealousness, and ability to navigate complex legal issues ensure that our clients receive the very best representation.

Congratulations to our new Partner John on this well-deserved promotion!

Senior Associate John S. Meade IV has been recognized in the third edition of Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America for his work in the fields of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. For more than 40 years, Best Lawyers has been regarded—by both the profession and the public—as the most credible measure of legal integrity and distinction in the United States. “Ones to Watch” attorneys are selected by their peers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice during the first decade of their careers.

Partner Edward Savidge successfully negotiated a favorable settlement at trial in Suffolk County following his cross-examination of the plaintiff, who claimed multiple significant injuries following an alleged trip and fall in front of the defendant’s premises. Mr. Savidge’s cross-examination so damaged the plaintiff’s credibility that the case resolved for $15,000, less than 10% of the plaintiff’s demand at the start of the trial.

Rankin Savidge secured a dismissal pursuant to CPLR § 1021 in a matter venued in New York State Supreme Court, Suffolk County involving a plaintiff who sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident. The plaintiff thereafter died, unrelated to his claimed injuries. Deceased plaintiff’s counsel thereafter failed to substitute a party for the plaintiff or otherwise resolve the case. Defendant then moved the Court to have the matter dismissed pursuant to CPLR 1021 due to plaintiff’s counsel’s failure to effectuate timely substitution of the plaintiff. The Court granted Defendant’s motion, dismissing the action in its entirety

Partner Carolyn Rankin secured a defense verdict following a nearly eight week long trial in a damages only case in New York Supreme Court, Kings County. Plaintiff Igor Konstantinov alleged to have sustained a traumatic brain injury as a result of a rear-end motor vehicle accident. Plaintiff was awarded partial summary judgment on the issue of liability in 2011 and sought damages in excess of $10 million.

Plaintiff was treated in the emergency room for dizziness, disorientation, and complaints of pain to the neck and back. Plaintiff began treatment one week later for headaches dizziness Insomnia and memory loss by an internist who referred him for psychological treatment, cognitive testing, and cognitive therapy. Cognitive testing showed significant declines in executive function, memory, organizational skills, processing speeds, and verbal communication.

Over five weeks of testimony, Plaintiff submitted evidence of profound deficits as a result of the motor vehicle accident. This evidence included MRI volumetric analysis, diffuse tensor imaging testing, QEEG findings, as well as the testimony of two neuropsychologists, a neurologist, a physical therapist, psychiatrist, and a biomechanical expert. Additionally, the plaintiff’s economist offered evidence of future medical care and loss of earning capacity to be between $3.8 and $6.7 million.

The defense successfully refuted the Plaintiff’s submissions through expert testimony from a neuroradiologist, neuropsychologist, neurologist, orthopedic surgeon, psychiatrist, and biomechanical expert, as well as critical impeachment and demonstrative evidence. Following just under two hours of deliberations, the jury unanimously found that the plaintiff’s alleged traumatic brain injury did not meet the serious injury threshold.

Partner Edward Savidge secured the dismissal of a personal injury suit in Supreme Court, Bronx County upon the grounds that the plaintiff lacked the legal capacity to maintain the action.

Following the trial court’s denial of the claimant’s motion to vacate the decision of a master arbitrator, Partner Edward Savidge defeated the claimant’s appeal of same in the Appellate Division, First Department. The Court of Appeals thereafter denied the claimant’s motion for leave to appeal to the State’s highest court.