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Nelson Mullins Team Wins a Quarter-Million Dollar Settlement for Local Nonprofit Animal Rescue

RALEIGH, N.C. (Dec. 22, 2011) – The holiday season just got a little merrier for the furry family at Marley's Cat Tales and Dogs Too! (Marley's Cat Tales), thanks in part to a team of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough attorneys and paralegals.

Marley's Cat Tales, a local animal rescue organization, has rescued hundreds of cats and dogs, but this time it was the rescue itself that needed help. In October 2009, Marley's Cat Tales was named as one of four beneficiaries of a $1.7 million estate by the late Emil Peter Campbell, a retired factory worker with a devoted love for cats. However, Marley's Cat Tales never received the money intended for the organization. Enter Nelson Mullins. 

Nelson Mullins attorneys Noah Huffstetler and Blakely Kiefer, along with paralegal Jackie Herbster, who is on the board of directors for Marley's Cat Tales, represented the animal rescue on a pro bono basis.  The goodwill of pro bono representation had a trickle-down effect and Carolina Reporting Service, which provided court reporting services during the litigation, donated all of its time and expense on a pro bono basis. 

After many months, during which time the Nelson Mullins team issued numerous subpoenas, conducted several depositions, and donated a significant amount of time to the case, the litigation over the bequest has now been resolved. The rescue organization will receive a settlement of more than $250,000.00.

With the knowledge that the bequest will finally be delivered,  Marley's Cat Tales has taken in some Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) positive cats and kittens in honor of Mr. Campbell, who himself had an FIV cat.  The money also enables Marley's Cat Tales to reimburse veterinarians who have not only devoted their time and services to Marley's Cat Tales' animals, but have patiently awaited payment for their services.

Leigh Wilson, President of Marley's Cat Tales, was excited to receive news of the settlement.  "Marley's Cat Tales is extremely grateful to Mr. Campbell for his generosity and to Nelson Mullins for their dedication and hard work.  While this bequest will allow us to further our mission in helping homeless pets in our community to find homes, Marley's Cat Tales remains in need of volunteers, foster homes, and donations so that the organization can continue to rescue and place in forever homes both cats and dogs."

To this Blakely Kiefer added, "Nelson Mullins is privileged to have had the opportunity to represent such a wonderful organization that does invaluable work in the community.  We are delighted to have achieved a favorable settlement for the organization so that they, in turn, may continue their efforts in rescue and education."

Marley's Cat Tales is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit animal rescue dedicated to rescuing and finding homes for stray and abandoned animals, providing education on responsible pet ownership, FIV and feline leukemia, and the importance of trap-neuter-release. Marley's Cat Tales is comprised of a network of foster homes and other volunteers that rescue and care for the animals until they are adopted. They also work in conjunction with other rescue groups, veterinarians and the community to educate regarding responsible pet ownership.  For more information on Marley's Cat Tales, go to www.marleyscattales.org.

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins has more than 420 attorneys and government relations professionals practicing from 12 office locations in the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and West Virginia. For more information on the Firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com, or call 803.255.9794.