who was they lawyer that defended in a civil action

by Prof. Jovani Schuster 10 min read

What is a tenacious lawyer in leukemia?

Jan Schlickmann (Travolta) is a cynical lawyer who goes out to "get rid of" a case, only to find out it is potentially worth millions. The case becomes his obsession, to the extent that he is willing to give up everything - including his career and his clients' goals, in order to continue the case against all odds. — mikel

What is the summary of a civil action?

Apr 11, 2022 · US Civil Litigation Defense Attorneys | Oberheiden P.C. We will protect your rights, reputation and freedom. Nationwide Federal Defense, Compliance and Litigation. 95% Success Rate. Amanda S. Marshall Former U.S. Attorney (Local Counsel) Lynette Byrd Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Roger Bach Former Special Agent (OIG & DEA) Joe Brown

What kinds of business lawsuits do our lawyers handle?

Jan 08, 1999 · A Civil Action: Directed by Steven Zaillian. With John Travolta, Robert Duvall, Tony Shalhoub, William H. Macy. A tenacious lawyer takes on a case involving a major company responsible for causing several people to be diagnosed with leukemia due to the town's water supply being contaminated, at the risk of bankrupting his firm and career.

Do I need a civil attorney to file a lawsuit?

A civil attorney, commonly known as a litigator, is a lawyer hired by a client to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in a court of law. A civil lawsuit can arise in many different areas of law and often concerns the recovery of money or property. Civil attorneys specialize in a wide range of areas, including: personal injury law, employment law, family law, business and finance law, …

See more

Jan 08, 1999 · Beatrice and Grace are real companies, and "A Civil Action" is based on Jonathan Harr's nonfiction best seller, which won the National Book Award. But the movie takes fictional liberties, which have been much discussed in the financial press. In particular, Grace lawyer William Cheeseman ( Bruce Norris) is said not to be a doofus in real life.

image

Who won the case in A Civil Action?

After a lengthy trial, the case is dismissed in favor of Beatrice, after Jan turned down an offer of $20 million from Beatrice attorney Jerry Facher during jury deliberations.

Who were the defendants in A Civil Action?

A civil action is a noncriminal lawsuit that begins with a complaint and usually involves private parties. The plaintiff is the party filing the complaint, and the defendant is the party defending against the complaint's allegations.

Who is William Cheeseman in A Civil Action?

1 Answers. Cheeseman is a senior partner with another Boston law firm, Foley, Hoag and Eliot, and he has consistently represented W. R. Grace in a variety of lawsuits, most of which have related to environmental pollution.Oct 2, 2017

Who is Jan Schlichtmann in A Civil Action?

As author Jonathan Harr eventually chronicled so well in A Civil Action, Schlichtmann was a brash young lawyer after Cornell Law, brash enough to have turned down a $75,000 settlement offer in his first trial—a wrongful-death case, one that even the judge thought should be settled.Sep 22, 2009

Who produced a civil action?

Is a civil action a crime?

Only the state will be able to initiate a criminal trial and bring criminal charges against you. On the other hand, civil law constitutes any illegal wrongdoing that is targeted toward a specific person or corporation, such as a breach of contract or damage to property.

Did Jan win in the civil action?

Jan loses the lawsuit against the two companies that had dumped toxic chemicals into the local water supply, settles the case for far less than his expenses in pursuing it, and ends up declaring bankruptcy.

Who is Jerome facher?

Jerome Facher, a Boston lawyer who successfully defended a tannery accused of water pollution that plaintiffs linked to a cluster of childhood leukemia deaths — a case that became the basis of a best-selling book and a Hollywood movie — died on Sept. 19 at his home in Arlington, Mass. He was 93.Oct 7, 2019

What kind of lawyer was Jan Schlichtmann?

environmental lawyers
Jan Schlichtmann is one of America's foremost environmental lawyers, specializing in toxic torts and consumer protection. He graduated from University of Massachusetts at Amherst in 1973 before attaining his JD at Cornell University in 1977.Sep 30, 2021

What type of law is Mr schlichtmann now practicing?

He practices environmental law.

Was A Civil Action a true story?

A Civil Action is the true story of Schlichtmann's David and Goliath legal fight against powerful corporations accused of environmental contamination that were alleged to have resulted in high rates of leukemia in children in Woburn, Mass.Jul 25, 2018

When is it time to consult an attorney about potential civil litigation?

Any time you are concerned that a business dispute may ultimately lead to formal legal action, it is important that you discuss your options with f...

We took action against a former employee who breached confidentiality, and now we are facing a lawsu...

This is a potentially challenging situation, and one that requires a swift and strategic approach. While companies need to take adequate steps to p...

My company has just been sued. What do I need to know about the civil litigation process?

If your company has just been sued, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a clear understanding of the deadlines that apply in your...

What are the consequences if our litigation hold fails to preserve discoverable information?

The consequences of instituting a deficient litigation hold depend upon a variety of factors, including the scope of the deficiency and the potenti...

Is it possible to pursue federal civil litigation against a company that is already facing a federal...

Yes. In fact, it is common for companies that violate federal privacy, securities, antitrust, and healthcare laws to face parallel civil litigation...

When do I need to consider taking legal action to protect my company?

As we mentioned earlier, if you are facing any potential business dispute with legal implications, seeking legal advice promptly can be the best wa...

What to do if your company is sued?

If your company has just been sued, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have a clear understanding of the deadlines that apply in your case. You need to respond to the plaintiff’s complaint within the timeframe specified under the applicable court rules (state or federal); and, if you are going to challenge certain issues with the complaint, you may need to meet a specific deadline with regard to these challenges as well.

What are the consequences of instituting a deficient litigation hold?

The consequences of instituting a deficient litigation hold depend upon a variety of factors, including the scope of the deficiency and the potential effects on the litigation. In cases of intentional failure or gross negligence, companies can face significant sanctions; including a potential “negative inference” based upon the perceived desire to keep certain information from the other party. Instituting and internally enforcing an appropriate litigation hold is a necessary part of the litigation process, and it is something that all companies need to do in good faith and with the guidance of experienced litigation counsel.

Can a company violate federal law?

Yes. In fact, it is common for companies that violate federal privacy, securities, antitrust, and healthcare laws to face parallel civil litigation and government enforcement proceedings. If another company’s illegal conduct has harmed your business, we can help you seek legal remedies in court.

What is a qui tam case?

In a qui tam case, the government investigates allegations made by a private citizen (referred to as the “relator”); and if the government decides to pursue legal action, the relator is entitled to receive a sizable portion of any restitution , fines, or other financial penalties the government collects.

Storyline

Jan Schlichtmann, a tenacious lawyer, is addressed by a group of families. When investigating the seemingly non-profiting case, he finds it to be a major environmental issue that has a lot of impact potential. A leather production company could be responsible for several deadly cases of leukemia, but also is the main employer for the area.

Did you know

The real Jerome Facher was thrilled at the way he was portrayed by Robert Duvall.

Contribute to this page

By what name was A Civil Action (1998) officially released in India in English?

What is a civil attorney?

A civil attorney, commonly known as a litigator, is a lawyer hired by a client to pursue or defend a civil lawsuit in a court of law. A civil lawsuit can arise in many different areas of law and often concerns the recovery of money or property. Civil attorneys specialize in a wide range of areas, including: personal injury law, employment law, ...

Can you sue someone for a non-criminal crime?

As mentioned above, someone can sue or be sued under almost any non-criminal theory of law. If you believe you have been wronged financially or otherwise, it would be ideal to hire a civil attorney to help you assess the merits of your case. Furthermore, if another person or business ever sues you, it is best to immediately consult ...

What is civil action?

Watching it, we realize that Grisham's lawyers are romanticized hotshots living in a cowboy universe with John Wayne values. The real world of the law, this movie argues, has less to do with justice than with strategy and doesn't necessarily arrive at truth.

What is the real world of civil action?

The real world of the law, this movie argues, has less to do with justice than with strategy and doesn't necessarily arrive at truth. The law is about who wins, not about who should win. The movie co-stars John Travolta and Robert Duvall as the leaders of two opposing legal teams. At issue are the deaths by leukemia of 12 children. Travolta's argument is that the deaths were the result of pollution by two large corporation, W.R. Grace and Beatrice. Duvall, working for Beatrice, argues that neither the pollution nor its results can be proven. He also angles to separate Beatrice from its bedmate, Grace, correctly perceiving that the Grace legal strategy is unpromising.

What is Travolta's argument?

At issue are the deaths by leukemia of 12 children. Travolta's argument is that the deaths were the result of pollution by two large corporation, W.R. Grace and Beatrice. Duvall, working for Beatrice, argues that neither the pollution nor its results can be proven.

Is Beatrice and Grace real?

Advertisement. Beatrice and Grace are real companies, and "A Civil Action" is based on Jonathan Harr's nonfiction best seller, which won the National Book Award. But the movie takes fictional liberties, which have been much discussed in the financial press. In particular, Grace lawyer William Cheeseman ...

Is Beatrice and Grace based on a true story?

Beatrice and Grace are real companies, and "A Civil Action" is based on Jonathan Harr's nonfiction best seller, which won the National Book Award. But the movie takes fictional liberties, which have been much discussed in the financial press. In particular, Grace lawyer William Cheeseman ( Bruce Norris) is said not to be a doofus in real life.

Is William Cheeseman a doofus?

In particular, Grace lawyer William Cheeseman ( Bruce Norris) is said not to be a doofus in real life. For the facts, read the book or study the case; the movie is more concerned with how the law works, and how perhaps the last thing you want is a lawyer who is committed heart and soul to your cause.

Who plays Jerome Facher in the movie?

What you want is a superb technician. Duvall plays Jerome Facher, brilliant and experienced, who hides his knowledge behind a facade of eccentricity. He knows more or less what is going to happen at every stage of the case. He reads the facts, the witnesses, the court and his opposition.

What is a civil lawyer?

Civil lawyers, commonly known as litigators, are legal professionals dedicated to working within civil law and civil courts. The trials and processes that they are involved in do not always take place in the courtroom and take place in administrative agencies, foreign tribunals, federal courts, state courts, and local courts.

Why you should hire a civil lawyer

Civil lawyers are committed to representing people or groups in cases of injustices of all different kinds. Some of the most important cases that a civil lawyer will work on includes:

What they do to help

You may be wondering, if a civil case often does not go to court, then what does a civil lawyer honestly do? Basically, they are going to perform the essential functions in any cases involving civil disputes.

What is the most realistic film about a civil trial?

The film returns to the reality level at the end, however: the money evaporates when the defendant files Chapter 11. A Civil Action stands alone as the most realistic film about a complex civil trial ever made. An underfunded and outmanned personal injury firm is eaten alive by its big firm adversaries.

Is A Civil Action realistic?

A Civil Action stands alone as the most realistic film about a complex civil trial ever made. An underfunded and outmanned personal injury firm is eaten alive by its big firm adversaries. No happy ending here. A Civil Action dramatizes the gritty details of civil litigation better than any other film.

Which is better, a civil action or a verdict?

A Civil Action is better, because it focuses on the very real and scary problems of deciding how much to ask for and how to get to the bottom line.

Where is the toxic chemical dump?

A tannery and a factory in Woburn, Massachusetts dump toxic chemicals on the ground. The poison percolates into the water table and is pumped by two wells into the drinking water. Eight neighborhood children die of leukemia. Their families sue Beatrice Foods and W. R. Grace, the megafirms responsible for the pollution.

Is there truth at the bottom of a bottomless pit?

According to the new film A Civil Action, the answer is a resounding no. As defense counsel sagely observes, truth lies at the bottom of a bottomless pit--depths the trial process cannot hope to plumb.

Who is Jan Schlictmann?

Jan Schlictmann runs a successful boutique plaintiff's personal injury firm. He impulsively decides to represent the Woburn plaintiffs, a catastrophic error. Schlictmann is shown to be a person who is fanatically devoted to his clients but almost totally lacking in judgment, especially about money.

What is Schlictmann's role in the Woburn case?

To prepare the Woburn case, Schlictmann has to front the cost of elaborate medical and hydrological studies. He spends money freely, ignoring all danger signals.

What was Robbie Robbins diagnosed with?

Summary. In 1976, at the age of four, Robbie Robbins was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He became one 28 children who contracted the disease between 1964 and 1986 in Woburn, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb of 35,000 people.

What disease did Robbie Robbins have?

In 1976, at the age of four, Robbie Robbins was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia. He became one 28 children who contracted the disease between 1964 and 1986 in Woburn, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb of 35,000 people. Learning that two nearby municipal wells were contaminated with toxic chemicals, Donna Robbins and Anne Anderson ...

Who owns John Riley Tannery?

In 1982, a year after Robbie Robbins and Jimmy Anderson died, Donna Robbins, Anne Anderson and six other families in east Woburn filed suit against two local companies: W.R. Grace & Co., owner of the Cryovac Plant that manufactured food-processing equipment, and Beatrice Foods Inc., owner of the John Riley Tannery.

image

Overview

A Civil Action is a 1998 American legal drama film written and directed by Steven Zaillian, based on the 1995 book of the same name by Jonathan Harr. Starring John Travolta, Robert Duvall, James Gandolfini, Dan Hedaya, John Lithgow, William H. Macy, Kathleen Quinlan, and Tony Shalhoub, it tells the true story of a court case about environmental pollution that took place in Woburn, Massachu…

Plot

Environmental toxicants in the city of Woburn, Massachusetts contaminate the area's water supply and become linked to a number of deaths of local children. Cocky Boston attorney Jan Schlichtmann and his small firm of personal injury lawyers are asked by Woburn resident Anne Anderson to take legal action against those responsible. After originally rejecting a seemingly unprofitable case, Jan finds a major environmental issueinvolving groundwater contamination th…

Cast

• John Travolta as Jan Schlichtmann
• Tony Shalhoub as Kevin Conway
• William H. Macy as James Gordon
• Željko Ivanek as Bill Crowley

Differences from the book

As with many such works, the plotline of the film has been simplified from the book, e.g. later findings by the Environmental Protection Agency and its potential consequences that might have allowed the plaintiffs another trial against Beatrice, and which did ultimately lead to a conviction of perjury against John Riley, and improper conduct for Mary Ryan, are referred to only briefly in the epilogue.

Release

Despite showing promise on its initial limited release, A Civil Action was a box office failure on wide release, earning a domestic gross of $56 million against its $75 million budget. The film was released in competition with a number of films that became hits, earning between $120 and $290 million each, including Shakespeare in Love, The Prince of Egypt, Star Trek: Insurrection, You've Got Mail, Stepmom and Patch Adams.

External links

• A Civil Action at IMDb
• A Civil Action at AllMovie
• A Civil Action at the TCM Movie Database
• A Civil Action at the American Film Institute Catalog