Shepard Ambulance, Inc. v. Helsell, Fetterman, Martin, Todd & Hokanson

— The law firm of Helsell, Fetterman, Martin, Todd & Hokanson was contacted by its client, Shepard Ambulance, Inc., 10 months after Dywain Berkins obtained a $204,016.75 default judgment in his personal injury lawsuit against Shepard. Shepard sought to vacate the default judgment in order to defend against Berkins 5 claims. Acting on information that the claim had been settled before suit was filed, Helsell first tried to obtain a voluntary set-aside of the judgment. Its efforts were unsuccessful because no written release could be located. Helsell did not move to vacate the default judgment…