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Episode 037: Kent Buckingham, Rick Barrera & Mike Newell | Anne Sperling (conservator of Jonathan Botello), Lorenza & Alvaro Botello v. Pecos Valley of New Mexico, LLC | $73.2 million verdict

This week, your hosts Steve Lowry and Yvonne Godfrey interview Kent Buckingham and Rick Barrera of Buckingham Barrera Law Firm and Mike Newell of Newell Law Firm, LLC.

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Case Details:

Kent Buckingham and Rick Barrera of Buckingham Barrera Law Firm and Mike Newell of Newell Law Firm, LLC explain how they secured justice for Lorenza and Alvaro Botello after their son, Jonathan Botello, sustained a traumatic brain injury and significant nerve damage after he was left without oxygen for 10 minutes at birth. The doctor treating Lorenza failed to perform the serial ultrasounds necessary for a diabetic’s pregnancy and recklessly attempted a traditional vaginal birth, despite indications that Jonathan, weighing in at 11.5 pounds, would be too large to be delivered via traditional methods. A Santa Fe, New Mexico jury awarded $73.2 million in damages to Jonathan’s parents, including $13.35 million in damages for Lorenza, who suffers from severe birth-related injuries.

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Guest Bios:

Kent Buckingham

Kent Buckingham is a board-certified, AV-rated attorney—earning the highest possible rating from Martindale-Hubbell—who limits his practice to the specialty of medical malpractice. In addition, he practiced for several years as an eye doctor before beginning his legal career. His firm has obtained numerous multi-million dollar settlements and judgments. He is a sustaining member of the American Trial Lawyers Association, a member of the Birth Trauma Litigation Group, and a Diplomate of the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Before starting his legal practice, Mr. Buckingham practiced as an ophthalmologist for several years. This experience has endowed him with the unique insight necessary to effectively represent plaintiffs in medical malpractice cases.

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Rick Barrera

Mr. Barrera was born and raised in the border community of Del Rio, TX. He graduated from the University of Texas at Austin in 1994. After careers in grocery retail management and financial advising, Mr. Barrera returned to law school to fulfill a childhood dream. Mr. Barrera graduated from Texas Southern University’s Thurgood Marshall School of Law in 2009. He is licensed to practice law in Texas and New Mexico.

Mr. Barrera believes strongly in civic duty and has served in various leadership capacities with Rotary International, Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Hispanic National Bar Association. Rick and his wife Martha celebrated their 20th Anniversary on December 31, 2014. They have two daughters, Martha Sofia, age 7 and Eva Loren, age 4. The family also includes a dog named Princess, a turtle named Rachel, and a fish named Shish.

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Mike Newell

Our vision is to provide our clients with skilled legal advice in an efficient, effective and proficient manner. Newell Law Firm strives to handle each matter professionally. Newell Law Firm is comprised of skilled legal counsel, as well as a well-trained staff that combines a vast array of knowledge in a variety of matters, including court and administrative agency litigation, private arbitration and mediation. Our client representation reflects our values of integrity, service, excellence, and teamwork. Michael Newell has a preeminent AV rating with Martindale-Hubbell, the laws' “gold standard in attorney ratings”.

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Free Resources:

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 1

Stages Of A Jury Trial - Part 2