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Prestigious Legal 500 Legal Directory Again Recognizes Baron & Budd as a Leading Mass Tort/Class Action Firm in the U.S.

enarh — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 13:53:28 -0700

Release Date

June 30, 2008

Summary

DALLAS, Texas – Dallas-based Baron & Budd, P.C. has again been selected by The Legal 500 <http://www.legal500.com/> as one of the country's premier law firms in mass tort claims and class action litigation for the firm’s work on toxic tort claims. The directory describes mass tort firms as those who “have the gall to take on corporate America.”

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DALLAS, Texas – Dallas-based Baron & Budd, P.C. has again been selected by The Legal 500 http://www.legal500.com as one of the country's premier law firms in mass tort claims and class action litigation for the firm’s work on toxic tort claims. The directory describes mass tort firms as those who “have the gall to take on corporate America.”

Toxic tort cases involve injuries caused by exposure to toxic substances—like asbestos-related mesothelioma. These exposures are often occupational, but they may also be environmental exposures in the community or exposures to toxic substances in consumer products.

Many thousands of workers in the United States have been injured or killed by exposure to asbestos, benzene and a variety of dangerous substances used or produced by industry, even when the companies knew the harm they could cause. Baron & Budd has represented injured workers since 1977.

The Legal 500 describes its United States legal directory as “the guide to the pre-eminent firms in the world's strongest and most competitive legal market.” According to its editors, The Legal 500 uses independent researchers interviewing thousands of clients in 90 countries worldwide to select “the best of the best” and provides commentaries on its recommended law firms based on feedback from clients, judges and other attorneys.

Based on this extensive research, The Legal 500 selected Baron & Budd as one of the top two law firms in the nation for toxic tort claims. The directory specifically noted the company’s “strong water contamination practice” and continuing success in litigating serious asbestos cases.

Russell Budd, managing shareholder of Baron & Budd and called “a major force in the toxic-tort practice,” expressed pleasure at the recognition. “The firm has continued to grow and evolve in ways that have just made us stronger,” said Mr. Budd, “and it is gratifying to see our hard work recognized once again by this respected publication.”

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With 49 attorneys and offices in Texas, California and Louisiana, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiffs’ bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia caused by benzene; injuries caused by other toxic substances and unsafe pharmaceuticals; water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers in class actions.

Press Contact

Profiles to List Under

Russell W. Budd

Baron & Budd Attorneys Earn "D Magazine" Honors

jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:36:15 -0800

Release Date

May 15, 2006

Summary

Attorneys with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. have been selected to the D Magazine list of “Best Lawyers in Dallas under 40” for 2006.

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DALLAS, Texas (May 2006) - Attorneys with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. have been selected to the D Magazine list of “Best Lawyers in Dallas under 40” for 2006. Attorneys named to the list in their respective areas of practice are Laura Baughman (Environmental/Land Use), Kevin McHargue (Appellate) and Bruce Steckler (Personal Injury).

The biennial listing honoring Dallas’ top attorneys appears in the May 2006 issue of the magazine. Peers make nominations for the list, with final selections made by a panel of attorneys chosen by the editors of D Magazine.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With over 80 attorneys and offices in Texas, California, Ohio, Louisiana and New York, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiffs’ bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene; and injuries caused by other toxic substances and pharmaceuticals. The firm also represents water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors and governmental entities defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers. For more information about Baron & Budd, call 1-800-222-2766 or visit www.baronandbudd.com.

Profiles to List Under

Bruce W. Steckler

Laura J. Baughman

Kevin D. McHargue

Baron & Budd Attorneys Named "Rising Stars of Texas Law"

jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:48:46 -0800

Release Date

March 15, 2006

Summary

Attorneys with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. have been named "Rising Stars of Texas Law" in the March 2006 editions of Texas Super Lawyers–Rising Stars and Texas Monthly.

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DALLAS, Texas (March 2006) – Ten attorneys with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. have been named "Rising Stars of Texas Law" in the March 2006 editions of Texas Super Lawyers–Rising Stars and Texas Monthly. The annual list honoring the state’s top young attorneys is a joint project of the publishers of Texas Monthly and Law & Politics Media. Only 2.5% of Texas attorneys under the age of 40 or who have been in practice for less than ten years received this year’s honor.

Baron & Budd attorneys named “Texas Rising Stars” for 2006 are associates Denyse Clancy, who litigates cases on behalf of victims of leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene exposure; Stephen Johnston and Carla M. Burke, who represent water providers seeking clean-up costs for MTBE and other water contaminants; and Renee M. Melancon, an associate in the firm’s appellate section.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

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Investor Alert: Approaching Deadline to Move for Appointment as Lead Plaintiff in the Shareholder Class Action Against PGIC

jess — Tue, 2 Jan 2007 13:01:00 -0800

Release Date

January 26, 2006

Summary

January 31, 2006 is the deadline to file for appointment of Lead Plaintiff in the pending class action lawsuit against Mikohn Gaming Corporation d/b/a Progressive Gaming International Corporation (NasdaqNM:PGIC - News)(“PGIC” or the “Company”).

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DALLAS – There are only 5 more days until the January 31, 2006 deadline to file for appointment of Lead Plaintiff in the pending class action lawsuit against Mikohn Gaming Corporation d/b/a Progressive Gaming International Corporation (NasdaqNM:PGIC - News) (“PGIC” or the “Company”). If you purchased the securities of PGIC between February 22, 2005 and October 19, 2005, inclusive (the “Class Period”), you may contact Baron & Budd, P.C. to discuss your legal options.

On November 28, 2005, the first complaint was filed against PGIC alleging violations of Federal securities laws. This suit arose from the Company's October 20, 2005 press release announcing that because it failed to properly account for two non-monetary transactions in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) 153, the Company expected to report a loss of $.09 a share rather than a gain of $.08-$.10, as Defendants had previously represented. According to Defendants, the accounting treatment had to be changed after the national office of the Company's auditor, BDO Seidman, informed the Company that it had to comply with SFAS 153 and could not recognize the revenues in the third quarter from these two transactions.

In this revelation, PGIC shares tumbled $3.75, or nearly 30 percent, to $9.28 on unusually heavy trading volume.

If you are a member of this class and would like to take action in this suit, you may contact Baron & Budd, P.C. at the phone number below. You may also visit Baron & Budd online. Information on your legal rights can be obtained by contacting the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.:

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With over 80 attorneys and offices in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, and New York, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiff's bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene; and injuries caused by other toxic substances and pharmaceuticals. The firm also represents water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers. For more information about Baron & Budd, call 1-800-222-2766 or visit www.baronandbudd.com.

For more information about Baron & Budd’s securities litigation practice, please visit www.securitiesactions.com.

More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca.

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Baron & Budd Announces the Filing of a Class Action Suit against Blockbuster, Inc., National Amusements, Inc. and Viacom, Inc.

jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 16:55:06 -0800

Release Date

November 17, 2005

Summary

The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of purchasers of all those who acquired shares of Blockbuster, Inc. ("Blockbuster" or the "Company") (NYSE:BBI - News) pursuant to the Company's exchange offer of Viacom, Inc. ("Viacom") stock for 144 million common shares of Blockbuster (the "Exchange Offer"), and on behalf of those who purchased Blockbuster shares in the open market between September 8, 2004 and August 9, 2005, inclusive (the "Class Period").

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DALLAS, Texas (November 17, 2005) - The law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of purchasers of all those who acquired shares of Blockbuster, Inc. ("Blockbuster" or the "Company") (NYSE:BBI - News) pursuant to the Company's exchange offer of Viacom, Inc. ("Viacom") stock for 144 million common shares of Blockbuster (the "Exchange Offer"), and on behalf of those who purchased Blockbuster shares in the open market between September 8, 2004 and August 9, 2005, inclusive (the "Class Period"). The lawsuit seeks to pursue remedies under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). The suit was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas and is pending before the Honorable David C. Godbey against defendants Blockbuster, Viacom, National Amusements, Inc. and certain of Viacom and Blockbuster's officers and directors.

The complaint alleges that Viacom was Blockbuster's controlling shareholder and that prior to the Exchange Offer, Viacom caused Blockbuster to pay a $5 per share special dividend of which Viacom was the primary beneficiary. In order to pay the dividend, Blockbuster was forced to take on debt in the amount of approximately $1.1 billion. As further set forth in the complaint, defendants failed to disclose in the Prospectus and throughout the Class Period that Blockbuster was unprepared to build the technological infrastructure required to integrate its in-store and online sales operations and to achieve the Company's transformation away from being solely a movie rental outlet. Moreover, the Company's core in-store rental operations were not generating sufficient cash flow to fund Blockbuster's attempts to diversify.

The truth began to emerge on August 9, 2005, when, before the market opened, the Company reported: (a) a second-quarter net loss of $57.2 million, or $0.31 per share -- well below Company-guided analyst estimates; (b) negative free cash flow of $118 million compared to positive free cash flow of $23 million in the second quarter of 2004; and (c) that it was abandoning its 2005 guidance. The Company also announced that, on August 8, 2005, it had been forced to amend its credit facility to provide for a waiver of its leverage ratio covenants. After this annuncement, the Company's stock opened that morning at $7.05, down 11.9%, or $0.96 from the previous day's closing price of $8.01. The stock continued to decline as the market absorbed the full impact of the announcement, falling to a six-year low of $6.30 on August 10, 2005.

After the Class Period, on November 8, 2005, defendants stated in an SEC filings that Blockbuster "may not have sufficient cash flows from operating activities, cash on hand and available borrowings under our credit facilities to service our indebtedness" and that the Company could be forced into bankruptcy if it was unable to raise additional funds through a private offering.

If you acquired Blockbuster Shares in the Exchange Offer, or purchased Blockbuster shares on the open market between September 8, 2004 and August 9, 2005, and sustained damages, you may, no later than January 9, 2006, request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. A lead plaintiff is a representative party that acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. In order to be appointed lead plaintiff, the Court must determine that the class member's claim is typical of the claims of other class members, and that the class member will adequately represent the class. Under certain circumstances, one or more class members may together serve as "lead plaintiff." Your ability to share in any recovery is not, however, affected by the decision whether or not to serve as a lead plaintiff. You may retain Baron & Budd, P.C., or other counsel of your choice, to serve as your counsel in this action.

If you are a member of this class and would like to take action in this suit, please visit Baron & Budd online at http://www.securitiesactions.com. Information on your legal rights can be obtained by contacting the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With over 80 attorneys and offices in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, and New York, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiff’s bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene; and injuries caused by other toxic substances and pharmaceuticals. The firm also represents water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers. For more information about Baron & Budd, call 1-800-222-2766 or visit www.baronandbudd.com. For more information about Baron & Budd's securities litigation practice, please visit www.securitiesactions.com.

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Baron & Budd, P.C. Named to The National Law Journal's "Plaintiffs' Hot List" for Third Year in a Row

jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:12:24 -0800

Release Date

October 12, 2005

Summary

For the third year running, Baron & Budd, P.C. has again been named to The National Law Journal's prestigious "Hot List" of U.S. plaintiffs' firms.

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DALLAS, Texas - For the third year running, Baron & Budd, P.C. has again been named to The National Law Journal's prestigious "Hot List" of U.S. plaintiffs' firms. The publication's annual compendium of the plaintiffs' firms doing the most to shape the law featured only 12 U.S. firms in the article appearing October 10, 2005, "a reflection of our narrower focus on firms that showed a special spark at trial before a judge or jury. . .We wanted to emphasize firms that secured trial verdicts significant for their size or their reverberations in business and society."

The article noted that Baron & Budd stayed in the limelight representing varied clients and "seems assured of maintaining its high profile. . . ." The national legal publication highlighted some of Baron & Budd's noteworthy cases of the past year, including:

Strong v. E. I. duPont de Nemours & Co. (Jones Co., Miss., Cir. Ct.): The firm won a $15.5 million verdict in August 2005 for a man who contracted cancer through exposure to dioxin released from a Gulfport, Miss., chemical plant into the air in the surrounding neighborhood and St. Louis Bay.

Bostic v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., et al, (Dallas County, Texas, Ct. At Law No. 3): A Dallas jury in March 2005 awarded $9.3 million against Georgia-Pacific Corp. for a man who died at 41 from mesothelioma attributed to his exposure to asbestos while working with his father as a boy. Within six weeks, the firm secured two other verdicts for victims of asbestos cancer, including a $10 million verdict for a Los Angeles Navy veteran who developed mesothelioma and a $3.6 million verdict for a Louisiana chemical plant worker who developed asbestos-related lung cancer.

CBE v. Tosco Corp. (San Francisco Co., Calif., Super. Ct.): The firm reached settlements requiring several major oil companies to upgrade gas stations, clean up groundwater contamination and take steps to prevent gasoline leaking from more than 1,000 underground storage tanks in California.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.:

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With over 80 attorneys and offices in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana and New York, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiffs' bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene; and injuries caused by other toxic substances and pharmaceuticals. The firm also represents water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers. For more information about Baron & Budd, call 1-800-222-2766 or visit www.baronandbudd.com.

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Baron & Budd, P.C. Attorney Kevin D. McHargue to Speak at North Dallas Bar Association Meeting

jess — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:15:14 -0800

Release Date

October 11, 2005

Summary

Kevin D. McHargue, an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., will speak at the North Dallas Bar Association meeting being held today in Farmers Branch, Texas.

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DALLAS, Texas - Kevin D. McHargue, an attorney and shareholder with the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C., will speak at the North Dallas Bar Association meeting being held today in Farmers Branch, Texas.

McHargue will give a presentation on class actions, discussing recent federal legislation, developments in Texas law, and the ethics of litigating and settling class actions. McHargue is a shareholder in the appellate section of Baron & Budd, P.C.

About Baron & Budd, P.C.:

Since 1977, the law firm of Baron & Budd, P.C. has championed the rights of people and communities harmed by corporate misconduct. With over 80 attorneys and offices in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Louisiana, and New York, Baron & Budd enjoys a national reputation as a leader of the plaintiffs’ bar. The firm represents individuals with mesothelioma and other diseases caused by asbestos; leukemia and lymphoma caused by benzene; and injuries caused by other toxic substances and pharmaceuticals. The firm also represents water authorities seeking clean-up costs for drinking water contamination; securities investors defrauded by corporate wrongdoing; and consumers. For more information about Baron & Budd, call 1-800-222-2766 or visit www.baronandbudd.com.

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Profiles to List Under

Kevin D. McHargue