(Note: Kevin Hickey represented the appellant mother in this case at trial and on appeal.)

In this case, the parties divorced while a medical malpractice lawsuit was pending with husband as the plaintiff. Mother received custody of the two children. Subsequent to the divorce, ex-husband settled the lawsuit. Ex-wife then petitioned the court to receive a lump sum payment of child support based on the settlement money received by ex-husband. The trial court held that the lump sum net amount received by the ex-husband was technically “income” under the Arkansas child support guidelines. A one-time lump sum child support amount of $52,500.00 was assessed. Ex-husband appealed and the Court of Appeals affirmed the lower court’s decision.

Here’s the decision…
http://courts.arkansas.gov/court_opinions/coa/2008b/20080917/published/ca08-117.pdf

Another part of a complex lawsuit was resolved Friday when Van Buren teacher Steven Jones settled his case with the Van Buren School District for $275,000, and an additional $50,000 in attorneys’ fees.

Jones said he felt “vindicated” by the settlement and praised the work by his attorneys. “We were up against tremendous odds,” Jones said, terming the legal contest with his limited resources against those of the school district as a “David versus Goliath” battle.

Brian Meadors has been lead counsel on the case since its inception over 4 years ago.  Kevin Hickey has periodically assisted Mr. Meadors as co-counsel since earlier this year. 

Here’s a link to the Times Record article… http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2007/06/04/week_in_review/news/saturday/news03.txt

After 3 days of testimony and arguments from the attorneys, the jury began deliberations at approximately 7:30 p.m. on Friday evening, April 20th.  At 11:30 p.m. the jury sent word to the judge that they wanted to retire for the night and resume deliberations on Saturday morning.

Such had been the luck for Jennifer Lynn (formerly Castaneda) in her case (Sebastian County Case No. CV-05-1221) against Bob Ikenberry and his company Bob Ikenberry Custom Homes, Inc. for the past 1 1/2 years.  Delays in litigation…mounting problems with her house…you name it and she had experienced it during this complex defective construction lawsuit.  But at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday the 21st Jenny finally was rewarded for her persistence when the jury returned a verdict of $200,000 against Bob Ikenberry and his company.  She was successful on her claims of breach of contract, deceptive trade practices, concealment, and negligence.  All but the negligence claim were unanimous verdicts.

Jenny provided us with the following:

“Words cannot fully express my appreciation for all that Kevin Hickey has done for me and my family.  Kevin has always been there, not only as my attorney, but as a friend.  Throughout my lawsuit he maintained a level of integrity that is quite uncommon, not just in attorneys, but in people in general.  His knowledge of the law and organizational skills impressed not only myself, but everyone who was involved in and attended my trial.  I am certain that had it not been for all of his hard work and devotion, the outcome of my lawsuit would not have been as successful as it was.  Kevin is a superior attorney and should I ever need the assistance of an attorney again, I would not hesitate to look to him for guidance and representation.  Thank you Kevin from the bottom of my heart.

Sincerely, Jenny Lynn”

Thanks so much for your kind words Jenny.  Our office greatly appreciates it.

Kevin Hickey has been added as co-counsel in a class action lawsuit involving teachers and their pay in Van Buren, Arkansas.  Brian Meadors, the lead attorney for the teachers, and Mr. Hickey have worked together previously on large multi-plaintiff cases.

The case (Steven Jones, in his own behalf and on behalf of all others similarly situated vs. Van Buren School District, Case No. CV-03-441) is set for trial next week (February 22nd and 23rd in Crawford County).

Here’s a link to an article in the Times Record today…  http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2007/02/14/news/news03.txt

More details in the coming days.

Kevin Hickey has been hired to render an independent legal opinion in a hotly contested case involving control of a Buddhist Temple.  Here’s a link to the Times Record article. http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2006/10/09/week_in_review/news/friday/news05.txt

Former police chief Bob Mikles, a Kevin Hickey client, sued the City of Huntington for wrongful termination and breach of contract in the Summer of 2005.  Mr. Mikles was awarded over $30,000 in damages and attorney’s fees.  The City of Huntington appealed, but the Court of Appeals upheld the wrongful termination verdict.  Below is a link to the newspaper article in The Times Record.

http://www.swtimes.com/articles/2006/09/28/news/news03.txt