Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP

05/25/2026

Honoring those who gave all.

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember the brave men and women who lost their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice is woven into the freedoms we cherish, and their legacy will not be forgotten.

Wishing you a peaceful and meaningful Memorial Day—from all of us at Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP.

05/14/2026

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner James Lofrese secured summary judgment dismissal of all claims asserted against the firm’s client in a personal injury action arising from a construction accident.

The plaintiff alleged injuries after falling through an elevator shaft at a construction site. After the accident, the plaintiff reported that he stepped on a conduit and repeated that account to health care providers, but later admitted during deposition testimony that the account was fabricated.

Mr. Lofrese’s motion was opposed by several parties asserting contractual claims against the firm’s client, who argued that the prior statements created issues of fact. The Court agreed with Mr. Lofrese’s argument that the prior version constituted inadmissible hearsay and was insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact. As a result, the Court granted summary judgment dismissing all claims against the firm’s client.

https://www.bmslegal.com/bms-partner-james-j-lofrese-secures-summary-judgment-dismissal-in-construction-accident-case-involving-elevator-shaft-fall/

04/20/2026

Founding Partners Lisa Black, Dana K. Marjieh, and Sheryl Sanford were proud to represent Black Marjieh & Sanford at the USLAW NETWORK Annual Member Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona. The conference agenda reflected a strong focus on collaboration, business development, leadership, and creating practical opportunities for member firms to better serve clients across jurisdictions.

One of the most valuable aspects of the conference was the opportunity to participate in the USLAW Collaboration Lab, where attorneys from across the Network connected to explore new ways to support one another, deepen existing relationships, build new ones and enhance the overall USLAW experience for both members and clients in a beautiful setting.

03/31/2026

Honored to have been part of the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection as it celebrated 20 years of empowering women in law.

What began in 2006 with just 15 leaders gathering at the Beverly Hilton has grown into a powerful network of more than 500 women—built on shared experience, meaningful relationships, and lasting professional impact.

BM&S Founding Partners Lisa Black and Dana K. Marjieh were proud to represent Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP at an event defined by connection, collaboration, and long-term growth.

“My involvement with the USLAW NETWORK Women’s Connection has been incredibly meaningful throughout my career," said Lisa Black. "The relationships and opportunities it created played a direct role in my ability to build and grow our firm. Being back involved at this level—and celebrating 20 years of this community—is truly special.”

03/08/2026

Today is International Women's Day, a moment to recognize the
contributions, leadership, and impact of women across every profession.

At Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP, we are proud to be a women-owned law
firm, and we're grateful for the many women whose work, insight, and
dedication help strengthen our firm and the communities we serve.

Today is a reminder that progress is built every day through the talent,
determination, and leadership of women in every field.

Happy International Women's Day.

02/16/2026

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner James J. Lofrese secured voluntary discontinuance of all claims asserted against the firm’s client in a personal injury action arising from a highway construction project.

The plaintiff alleged injuries after stepping on unsecured construction materials during work on an elevated roadway. BM&S moved for summary judgment, establishing that the project was a State-run design-build project and that the firm’s client was not responsible for the work at issue.

Following the filing of the motion in October 2025, the plaintiff voluntarily discontinued all claims against BM&S’s client, bringing the matter to a favorable resolution.

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner James J. Lofrese secured voluntary discontinuance of all claims asserted against the firm’s client in a personal injury action arising from a highway construction project.

02/11/2026

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Dana K. Marjieh secured dismissal of all claims against the firm’s client, an accountant named as a third-party defendant in a professional liability action.

The case involved allegations that the firm’s client was professionally negligent in providing accounting and tax-related services. The Court agreed that no viable cause of action existed. BM&S demonstrated that the third-party complaint failed as a matter of law because common-law indemnification was unavailable, as the defendant was sued for its own alleged negligence rather than under a vicarious liability theory.

In the underlying action, the defendant was alleged to have committed errors in rendering tax advice, resulting in substantial damages to the plaintiffs. The defendant then commenced a third-party action seeking common-law indemnification and contribution. BM&S established that such claims could not be maintained because contribution is unavailable where the alleged loss is purely economic and the defendant was sued for its own negligence.

The Court granted dismissal of the third-party complaint and all cross-claims in their entirety, reaffirming important principles governing professional liability and common-law indemnification.

As a result, all claims against the firm’s client were dismissed prior to the commencement of extensive discovery, bringing the matter to a swift and favorable resolution. The ruling underscores BM&S’s commitment to vigorously defending its clients and achieving successful outcomes in complex litigation.

https://www.bmslegal.com/bms-partner-dana-k-marjieh-secures-dismissal-of-accountant-liability-suit/

01/22/2026

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP Partner John Bieder recently obtained a judgment at arbitration in a premises liability case finding that his client had no responsibility for the area where plaintiff’s accident occurred.

Prior to trial, the defendants, two neighboring building owners, agreed to settle with the plaintiff with the defendants arbitrating the issue of which owner was responsible for the sidewalk defect that plaintiff tripped over.

The arbitrator agreed with BM&S’s positions that while most of the sidewalk slab was on BM&S’s client’s property, the portion of the defect that caused the plaintiff to trip and fall was on the property owned by the co-defendant. As a result, the arbitrator found the co-defendant to be 100% responsible for the defect which caused the plaintiff to trip and fall.

The arbitrator’s decision resulted in a complete victory for BM&S’s client bringing the litigation to a successful conclusion.

https://www.bmslegal.com/bms-partner-john-bieder-secures-arbitration-victory-in-premises-liability-case/

01/19/2026

As we honor the enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., our team at Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP reflects on the profound impact of his journey. Dr. King's powerful words continue to echo through generations, inspiring courage and a relentless pursuit of justice. Let's celebrate this day by reaffirming our dedication to the principles of fairness and dignity for all.

01/12/2026

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP Partner John Bieder recently obtained summary judgment in a construction defect case, dismissing the plaintiffs’ causes of action and all cross-claims against BMS’ client.

The case involved allegations that BMS’ client, an architect, was professionally negligent in the design and construction of the plaintiffs’ modular home. Ultimately, the Court agreed with BMS’ arguments noting that the defendant “established a prima facie entitlement to judgment by showing that there was no departure from good and accepted architectural practice” and that the architect’s design work was limited to the creation of foundation plans and there was no admissible evidence which could establish the plaintiffs’ damages were proximately caused by same.

The Court’s ruling resulted in dismissal of the claims against BMS’ client, eliminating the risk of trial and bringing the litigation to a favorable conclusion.

Black Marjieh & Sanford LLP Partner John Bieder recently obtained summary judgment in a construction defect case, dismissing the plaintiffs’ causes of action and all cross-claims against BMS’ client.