May 25, 2017
Esther P. Holm
See more on Esther P. HolmLewis Brisbois Bisgaard & Smith LLP Costa Mesa
Holm defends companies but she knows that people are behind every corporate name and she prides herself on representing them.
That includes her successful defense of the First Student Inc. bus company from negligence claims related to a young girl's sexual abuse allegations against a school bus driver. The plaintiff sought $50 million. Holm said the bus driver and his innocence "had gotten lost in the mix." She took over the case a month before trial.
"The feeling that I had helped this bus driver out was a very rewarding feeling," Holm said. "Defendants are people, too." K.F. v. First Student, BC459879 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed April 19, 2011).
Holm's other recent wins include drastically limiting damages in a lawsuit where Lowe's Cos. Inc. was found liable in a slip and fall, and securing a verdict of $80,000 on behalf of First Student in a wrongful death case that sought $12.3 million.
She also secured a unanimous defense verdict in a premises and liability negligence lawsuit that sought $7.5 million from a luxury hotel for an accident with a shower curtain rod that left the plaintiff with a traumatic brain injury. Holm in a three-week trial showed the accident was caused by the rod being pulled from the wall with tremendous strength. Ersoff v. Parker Palm Springs LLC, INC130136 (Riverside Super. Ct., filed Dec. 11, 2015).
She was second lead counsel in defending the Greyhound Lines Inc. bus company over an accident that killed six people, securing a defense verdict after arguing the bus driver couldn't avoid the crash because the other driver was intoxicated. Moreno et al. v. Greyhound Lines Inc., 10CECG03185 (Fresno Super Ct., filed June 8, 2011).
In addition to co-chairing Lewis Brisbois' professional liability practice, she's a member of several professional associations and enjoys mentoring young attorneys.
— Meghann M. Cuniff
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 213-229-5424
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com