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Gerald Brooks

Gerald Brooks grew up in tiny Livingston, on the western edge of Alabama’s Black Belt, and has carried forward the small-town values of hard work, respect, and fairness into his law practice.
Brooks graduated from the University of Alabama twice — with an undergraduate degree in business in 1998 and with a law degree in 2002. After receiving his J.D., he joined a Birmingham insurance defense firm, where he stayed for five years until he realized that he wanted to work on behalf of injured people instead of insurance companies.
“I enjoyed the experience there in the sense that I learned a lot and it made me a better attorney,” he says. “I don’t know if I’d be as good at what I do now but for the experience of seeing how the other side evaluates things, and the things that scare them. But you’re representing corporations, and your point of contact is an insurance adjuster who’s not concerned about anything but reports and evaluations that aren’t really about right or wrong.”
He crossed over to the plaintiff side of the law, joining a Montgomery law firm that concentrated in that area. He stayed there for three years, then ventured out on his own and joined forces with Chuck James, an old law school friend, in 2013, to form the firm of Brooks, Hubbard & James. That firm later became the Serious Injury Law Group.
Brooks’ practice focuses solely on personal injury cases, and he has achieved some significant outcomes on behalf of his clients. They include a medical malpractice jury verdict of $3.5 million, a jury verdict of $380,000 in a motor vehicle case, and multiple seven-figure settlements in medical malpractice and trucking cases.
Brooks admits that the competitive aspect of personal injury law appeals to him, but there’s more to it than that. “You want to win,” he says, “but honestly, I want to make sure the client has a good outcome versus what my personal ego might feel.”
“I also enjoy formulating the theories and doing the work that involves litigation. But the best part of all is when you get a favorable outcome for a client, seeing their reaction, and knowing that you have positively affected their life.”
He also values positively affecting young lives in his community. In 2017, the firm launched its first Serious Injury Law Group Living History Essay Contest. Fifteen high-schoolers received $1,000 scholarships for essays on living heroes in their communities.
In his spare time, Brooks enjoys travel — he and his wife, Staci, have traveled widely around the globe — and Crimson Tide sports.

Kelley Johnson

​​​​​​​Hi! I’m Kelley, a creative professional with a deep passion for graphic design, branding, and all things digital. With over a decade of experience, I’ve led teams and driven projects across a wide range of areas, including web development, SEO, social media, and large-format printing. My skills go beyond traditional titles, blending creativity with strategy to deliver impactful results.

Marlon Primes

Mr. Primes is the Past President of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association ("CMBA"), which is one of the largest associations of lawyers and judges in Ohio. He was the first government attorney and first African-American attorney to serve as president of the CMBA. Mr. Primes also served as the Chairman of the Litigation Section of the Ohio State Bar Association and served as national Vice President of the National Bar Association, which is the oldest and largest association of African-American lawyers and judges in the United States. He is a frequent speaker on legal matter for various organizations and conferences. His National Business Institute and Ohio Human Resource Law Boot Camp presentations have been highly rated. Mr. Primes taught at the National Advocacy Center, which trains Assistant U.S. Attorneys and federal attorneys around the country. Mr. Primes was born and raised in Akron, and he currently resides in Cleveland Heights with his wife Kathi Howard-Primes. They are the proud parents of two adult children, Markus and Kayla Primes, who both live and work in Washington, D.C. Representative Matters Internet Defamation Successfully defended a company in an internet defamation case by negotiating a non-monetary resolution. Medical/Dental Malpractice Represented large medical providers in dental and medical malpractice cases. Represented the U.S. military in medical malpractice litigation. Full-Service Legal Representation of a Fortune 300 Company Represented a Fortune 300 company regarding all aspects of their legal needs, including matters involving employment law, commercial law, occupational health and safety, and tort litigation. Healthcare Represented the Veterans Affairs Medical System for 30 years, which is the largest healthcare system in the United States. Represented the UH residents and doctors working at the VA in medical malpractice litigation and other matters. Represented the U.S. Public Health Service and the Federal Bureau of Prisons Medical Center in medical malpractice litigation and other matters. Employment Litigation Although nearly all of Mr. Primes’ employment litigation is on behalf of employers, he also successfully represented a plaintiff who was subject to egregious racial slurs and disparate treatment. In that case, Mr. Primes helped negotiate a landmark monetary settlement. Corporate Investigations Handled a complex and sensitive internal investigation for a large business. Securities Litigation Represented a large corporation in federal court in a class action regarding securities litigation. Evictions Successfully handled complex evictions for private sector and public sector landlords. Education Successfully resolved Title IX lawsuits involving large school districts. Successfully negotiated employment contracts regarding metropolitan and suburban school districts. Courts U.S. Supreme Court U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio District of Columbia All Ohio State Courts Professional Honors and Awards Trailblazer Award, Norman S. Minor Bar Association (2023) President’s Award, National Bar Association (2022) “People on the Move,” Crain’s Cleveland Business (2022) Highest AUSA Rating of Outstanding in all Performance Areas (2020) The Craig Tame Award for Excellence in Community Outreach, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio (2019) "Marlon is described by his peers in many positive ways, including being described as good-natured, exceptionally kind, and having a heart of gold and the patience of a saint.” Employee of the Month, The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio (May 2013, June 2011) Fellow, American Bar Foundation (2020-present) Fellow, Ohio State Bar Foundation (2015-present) Volunteer of the Year Award, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association (2012) Lexis-Nexis, Martindale-Hubbell (2006 - present) 40 Under 40, Crain’s Cleveland Business (2001) BV Peer Review – Very High Rating in Both Legal Ability and Ethical Standards Achievement Award, Cleveland Marshall College of Law Black Students Association Outstanding Senior Leader, Ohio University Outstanding Black Graduating Senior, Ohio University Alain Leroy Locke Scholar, Phi Beta Sigma Outstanding Graduate, E.W. Scripps School of Journalism (Ohio University) Professional & Civic Affiliations Baseball Heritage Museum, Board of Trustees (2024) Cleveland Kids’ Book Bank, Member (2024) Ohio State Bar Association Board of Governors, At-Large Appointee (2024) Litigation Section, Chairman (2013-2015) Litigation Section, Secretary (2011-2013) Council of Delegates (2009-present) The National Black Lawyers Top 100, Member (2023-present) National Bar Association Elections Committee, Chairman (2022-present) International Relations Advisory Committee, Chairman (2022-present) National Vice President (2002-2008) Partnership for a Safer Cleveland Co-Chair (2022-present) Board of Trustees (2018-present) Ohio University Black Alumni Presidential Advisory Council, Member (2022-present) American Law Institute, Member (October 2019-present) Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association President (2018-2019) President-Elect (2017-2018) Vice President (2016-2017) Board of Trustees (2012-2020) Litigation Section, Chair (2008-2009) Board of Trustees, Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation (2005-2010) William K. Thomas Inn of Court President (2015-2016) Master of the Bench (2004-present) National Advocacy Center, Instructor (2013-2016) Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals Judicial Conference, Life Member (2012-present) Antioch Baptist Church and Credit Union, Volunteer Attorney (1997-2020) Norman S. Minor Bar Association, President (1995-1996) Presentations & Publications "Social Media Policies: Balancing Employer Needs," and "Employee Rights & Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace: Marijuana and Other Considerations," Ohio Human Resource Law Boot Camp (October 2023) “The Paralegal’s Guide to Law Office Management: Ensuring Legal Compliance Across Files and Records,” National Business Institute (September 19, 2023) "Ethics for Government Lawyers, Prosecutors and Public Officials," National Bar Association's 98th Annual Convention and Exhibits, Minneapolis, MN (August 2, 2023) “Construction Contracts 101," Ohio Economic & Community Development Institute (ECDI)(July 24, 2023) “Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation Law Updates: What Paralegals Need to Know," National Business Institute (July 13, 2023) "Ohio Employment Law: Hiring, Firing, and Disciplining Employees." Guidelines for Terminating Employees on Leave and Ethical Issues in Employment Law, National Business Institute (June 2023) "Ethics for Government Lawyers, Prosecutors, and Elected Officials," National Bar Association's 43rd Annual Midyear Conference (April 2023) "Spotting a Sham - What You Need to Know About MWBE/DBE Business Certification Processes," For The Defense (February 2023) "Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Marlon Primes values the start he got at Ohio University and WOUB," WOUB Public Media (January 31, 2023) Panelist, "Transitioning In and Out of Government Services," National Bar Association's 97th Annual Convention & Exhibits, Memphis, TN (July 24-29, 2022) Panelist, “Experts: Communicating Complex Ideas and Issues Consistent with Messaging Trends,” American Bar Association 2022 Litigation Section Annual Conference, Miami Beach, FL (May 4-6, 2022) "Promoting Diversity Now and in the Future Through the CMBA Affinity Bars of Colors," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (March 2021) "COVID-19 Pandemic and the Digital Divide: The NBA on the Frontlines," National Bar Association Magazine (January 2021) "Back to the Future: Thank You for a Great Year," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (June 2019) "Reflections from the Tortoise Shell on the Government Shutdown and its Implications for the Legal Profession," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (April 2019) "Minority, Cleveland Bar Associations Band Together to Address Diversity," Crain's Cleveland Business (January 20, 2019) "Back to the Future: Celebrating Our Past and Preparing for Our Future," Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Journal (July/August 2018) "Ex Parte - Personal Profile of Marlon Primes," Ohio Lawyers Weekly (June 10, 2002) "Eye on Paralegals: Maintaining Control of Your Legal Practice Through the Effective Use of Paralegals," Cuyahoga County Bar Association Law & Fact (September/October 1999) "'Take-Charge' Attorney Puts Spark in Black Lawyers' Group," Cleveland Plain Dealer (May 27, 1997) "Discovery in Federal District Court: Pitfalls for the Unwary," Cleveland Bar Journal (January 1997) "Why Honey is Better than Vinegar," My First Year as a Lawyer: Real World Stories from America's Lawyers, edited by Mark Simenhoff (September 1, 1994) Testimonials 1. "It was an absolute pleasure working with Marlon on this matter. Listening to him mediate a decades long dispute was a treat for me. It was like a master class in negotiation. He was consistently the voice of common sense and reason in the face of highly emotional parties and their incredibly litigious attorneys. Marlon used every negotiation trick in the book, he refused to take litigation for an answer, and his polite and professional manner got the deal done. I wish we had recorded some of our calls because they are textbook examples of how to negotiate while still maintaining your client's best interests. Agency counsel was highly complementary of Marlon's work on this case, and I'm sure that Marlon is not going to share that information with you. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with Marlon and be in his side car." -Former Client/Colleague 2. “Thank you so much for your diligence and speed in handling this matter. I think your team is top notch! Now I can sleep better at night & move on to the important things in my life.” -Client with a substantial quiet-title action that was successfully resolved under time constraints. Contact Marlon Today!

Carl Solomon

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Disclaimer

Past results do not indicate or guarantee future success. Many settlements are subject to confidentiality agreements.

Awards and Verdicts

Olvera v. Norfolk Southern (Class Counsel, Train Derailment), Class Received Final Certification June 2007, $10,500,000 paid to claimants at time of certification

Vernell Williams, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Carnell Alford v. Marlboro County Marlboro Squad, Inc., and Robert Anthony Tryon (Automobile Accident/Emergency Vehicle), $2,000,000, April 2007 (Jury Verdict)

Octavia Jackson v. Dance, Inc., Up Top Management, Inc., and Swordfish Investments (Premises Liability/Third Party Criminal Act), $2,031,034.06, December 22, 2003 (Damages Award)

Bryant v. Aiken Regional Medical Centers, Inc. (Employment/Race Discrimination), $300,000, March 2002 (Jury Verdict)

Arnold Reed

Attorney Arnold E. Reed received his J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law in 1990. Prior to graduation, Mr. Reed was named Associate Editor of the Law Review. After graduating, Mr. Reed accepted the position of Law Clerk on the Michigan Supreme Court to the Hon. Dennis W. Archer. Mr. Reed eventually became Chief Law Clerk to the Hon. Conrad L. Mallett. Mr. Reed, a former journalist, has authored numerous articles and has been published in the area of Police Discretion and Misconduct. In the year 2000, Mr. Reed was selected as Lawyer of the Year by Michigan Lawyers’ Weekly and has been the subject of several front-page articles involving his trial work. Mr. Reed was chosen by Crain’s Detroit Business Magazine as one of the top businessmen in Michigan under 40 years old. Mr. Reed was appointed by Governor John Engler to sit on the Board of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery. Mr. Reed is a member of the Outstanding Young Men of America and is a life member of the National Registry of Who’s Who. Mr. Reed has been interviewed by 60 Minutes, Dateline NBC, Geraldo Rivera, Stephanie Ruhle of MSNBC, and numerous other National News Outlets. In 2017, Mr. Reed’s representation of the late Congressman John Conyers, Jr., was highlighted on Chuck Todd’s Meet the Press as the top story of the year. Mr. Reed was the lead trial strategist for nationally known talk show host Tavis Smiley in his case against PBS in Washington, D.C. Mr. Reed has been the subject of two television documentaries airing on CBS network affiliates nationwide as well as Amazon Prime. In 2018, he was named a Leader in the Law by Michigan Lawyers’ Weekly. In 2021, he was selected to the list of Michigan Super Lawyers. His litigation against McDonald’s Restaurant was highlighted in New York’s Bloomberg Market Magazine. Mr. Reed is nationally prominent, having counseled attorneys in litigation matters from Mexico to London. He is currently a Faculty member at Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop.

Accomplishments

Mr. Reed is the principal owner and operator of the law firm Arnold E. Reed & Associates, P.C., in Southfield, Michigan. His practice concentrates on litigation in the areas of Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice, Birth Trauma, Wrongful Death, Bus, Truck and Auto Accidents, Police Misconduct, Employment Law and Criminal Law. Mr. Reed has obtained numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Mr. Reed was the first attorney nationally to successfully sue firefighters for a Wrongful Death arising out of the handling and response to a fire. He achieved a $750,000.00 jury verdict in a dog bite case, the highest award ever achieved in the country in such a case at that time. Mr. Reed obtained a $4.2 Million Dollar verdict against Brinks Home Security in a Civil Rights case, a $4.5 Million Dollar verdict against the City of Detroit in a Police Misconduct case, a $1.8 Million Dollar settlement against the City of River Rouge in a jail suicide case, one the largest such settlements in the country, a $1.6 Million Dollar verdict against the Church of God and Christ, a $1.4 Million Dollar settlement against the Dearborn Police for Police Misconduct and many more. Mr. Reed’s client base has included top Politicians and major Music Industry conglomerates such as three-time Grammy Award winner R. Kelly, five-time Late Night at the Apollo winner, Poet and Author, Jessica Care Moore, former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, former Dean of the House, the late Congressman John Conyers, Jr., and the Queen of Soul, Ms. Aretha Franklin.