STUART, Fla., Nov. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominent trial attorney, Willie Gary and his partner, CK Hoffler of the Florida-based law firm of Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando P.L., announced today that the firm will be representing Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader, Shayla Stevens, against rap artist, Da Brat and Studio 72. Stevens was physically assaulted by Da Brat while working as a part-time waitress at a night club in Tucker, Georgia.
Stevens, who is a cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons, a dance choreographer, an actress and entrepreneur, also graduated Magna Cum Laude from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida. The incident occurred at Studio 72, a night club in Tucker, Georgia, heavily promoted by hip-hop producer and businessman, Jermaine Dupri. Stevens, who never met Da Brat prior to the incident, was hit in the head with a 1.7 liter sized bottle by Da Brat, and suffered permanent injuries to her face as well as possible neurological damage. As a result of her injuries, she will miss upcoming Falcons games and promotional events, as well as a scheduled role on Tyler Perry's House of Payne sitcom and other commercial, professional choreography and acting opportunities. Following the incident, the club owners were reluctant to contact the police due to possible negative publicity for the night club. A club manager, who witnessed the assault, failed to seek proper medical intervention for Stevens and she was taken to the hospital by a family member. Prior to the assault, club owners and security had the opportunity to remove Da Brat from the club due to an earlier pushing incident with Ms. Stevens, but failed to do so. Da Brat was arrested and released on $50,000 bond as a result of the incident.
"Our client was physically attacked by Da Brat and has suffered significant head injuries, permanent disfigurement as well as mental distress. Ms. Stevens is a cheerleader, choreographer, dancer, actress and entrepreneur, whose career has been greatly affected by this incident," said Gary.
Gary is no stranger to seeking justice. He is noted for winning a $240 million jury verdict in Orange County against the Walt Disney Corporation for his clients who alleged Disney stole their idea for a sports theme park. Also, Gary was awarded $18.28 million against the media conglomerate Gannett Company for the false portrayal of their client in a series of newspaper articles. In 2001, a jury awarded Gary a $139.6 million verdict for the Maris Distributing Company against Anheuser Busch. In addition, Gary was given a half-billion dollar verdict in Jackson, Mississippi against the Loewen Group, a large Canadian funeral home chain.
Source: Gary, Williams, Finney, Lewis, Watson and Sperando P.L.
CONTACT: Kori Love, Public Relations Director, +1-772-283-8260,
kal@williegary.com
Web site: http://www.williegary.com/
