Mid-Miami Valley Chamber of Commerce
1500 Central Avenue
Middletown, OH 45044

NEWS RELEASE

April 3, 2003

For more information call: David Daugherty or Karen Carroll at 513-422-4551
Photo: Stan Chesley at Forest Hills Country Club - Middletown, Ohio 4/3/03

ATTORNEY STAN CHESLEY SPEAKS AT MID-MIAMI VALLEY CHAMBER LUNCHEON

Mid-Miami Valley Chamber members and guests held their monthly luncheon to network and hear a speech fiven by Stan Chesley, senior attorney at Waite, Schneider, Bayless and Chesley in Cincinnati. The internationally known attorney shared his experiences as attorney representing the plaintiff in several high-profile cases including the Beverly Hills Fire in Northern Kentucky, the MGM Hotel fire in Las Vegas and Phen-Fen diet drugs case.

His message to the assembled business people was that the “smoking gun” in many of the cases is written documents. He noted that in one of his examples, an email message instead of a phone call probably cost a corporation several billion dollars.

Always colorful and controversial, Chesley made several observations on how the legal system works…the “Xerox machine is the plaintiff’s favorite weapon,” “middle management can destroy any company on any given day” and “juries take their business very seriously.” He also noted that those corporations admitting responsibility and taking immediate corrective action are the most admired.

In answer to a question from the audience, Chesley related a story about children left without parents as a result of the Beverly Hills fire in the late 70’s. At a reunion gathering, one of the guests told Chesley how his work had affected the lives of their family. Thanks to the jury award, the family of five children were able to stay together and each one was able to attend college.

Chesley spoke to about 70 Chamber members, guests and a group of high school students from Middletown Christian School who gathered at Forest Hills Country Club in downtown Middletown for the monthly networking meeting.

A part of the program was a plaque presented to Cheri Berns of Berns Greenhouse and Landscaping Company commemorating 47 years of business in the local community.

The next luncheon meeting will be on Thursday, May 1, 11:45am to 1:15pm when Ohio Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell will be the featured speaker. His topic will be “Cornerstone of Citizenship: Character.”

To make reservations, call the Chamber at 513-422-4551 or visit the chamber website at www.mmvchamber.org. Cost for members is $15 if prepaid, $18 at the door. Non- members pay $30.

Ann Mort