Civil Court Jury Ruled Against The National Cutting Horse Association

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Walker Sewell LLP announces that jurors in a civil court case, filed by Lainie Whitmire, ruled against the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA) on two counts. The verdict ended a two-week long trial in Fort Worth's 236th District Court.

Jurors ruled in favor of Whitmire on the first count that during early 2005, the NCHA reached an agreement with Whitmire to restore her Non-Pro rider privileges after a six-month suspension, but failed to honor the deal. On the second count, jurors agreed that Whitmire was falsely imprisoned by four top NCHA officials in a locker room on Dec. 5, 2004 during the NCHA Futurity moments before she was scheduled to compete.

"Lainie Whitmire has stood her ground and stood up for what she believes is right for the past five years," said James Walker, who represented Whitmire in the case. "We provided clear and undisputable evidence proving Lainie's claims. The NCHA had no right to detain her that way at the Futurity and they should have honored the agreement to reinstate her Non-Pro rider privileges after her suspension.  I am happy to see Lainie receive complete vindication and to expose the NCHA's improper behavior towards their members."  

"I stood up for what I believed was right," said Lainie Whitmire. "The suit was never about the money as much as it was about holding the NCHA accountable for the way they treated me as a member. This could have been settled a long time ago if they had just acknowledged our agreement and apologized for how I was treated, but the NCHA refused to even consider a settlement at any point and forced me to take it to trial. I am blessed that my family, my friends and my faith got me through the difficult times."

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Walker Sewell LLP specializes in the litigation, arbitration and appeal of complex commercial and insurance disputes. Our firm regularly advises and assists clients with their most sensitive contract, insurance and business tort claims. The extensive trial and appellate experience of our attorneys allows us to provide the highest quality legal services to our clients whether in avoiding litigation or obtaining favorable results when litigation becomes necessary. Walker Sewell LLP regularly represents Fortune 500 companies, insurance carriers, energy and utility companies, municipalities and individuals throughout Texas and across the United States.

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