Meagher + Geer is proud to announce that David E. Bridges, Tony R. Krall and Julia J. Nierengarten have been elected to the partnership, effective January 1, 2021.

David E. Bridges is a technically trained attorney in our Catastrophic Loss Practice Group, operating out of the Dallas-Ft. Worth, Texas Metroplex. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, including fires, explosions, structural failures, fire protection system failures, product failures, and other catastrophic losses and construction-related incidents across the United States. His assignments include forensic investigations of first-property and other catastrophic losses, including fires and explosions involving industrial, commercial, and residential facilities, agricultural and commercial equipment, passenger and commercial motor vehicles, including tractors, trailers, and semi-trucks, motor coaches, and passenger buses, and marine vessels. David brings the science and law together to investigate those incidents and provide representation from the outset of the incident through trial. David also represents and consults with private and public sector fire and explosion origin and cause investigators, forensic engineers, and other specialists around the country who are faced with Daubert– or Frye-related challenges to their qualifications, methodology, and opinions. He is an International Association of Arson Investigators Certified Fire Investigator (IAAI-CFI). Prior to law school, David performed fire and explosion investigations in conjunction with his work as a special agent, certified fire investigator, and accelerant detection K-9 handler with the North Carolina Department of Justice (NCDOJ) / State Bureau of Investigation (NCSBI). He currently serves on the IAAI-Board of Directors and is Co-Chair of the IAAI’s Training & Education (T&E) Committee. David also serves as an adjunct instructor for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ (ATF) and National Fire Academy’s (NFA) fire and explosion training programs. Outside the office, David enjoys spending time with his wife, Amy, and daughters, Rowyn and Rylee.

Tony R. Krall has spent a large part of his career handling large loss and catastrophe litigation including fires and explosions, product liability, property and casualty litigation. He has handled a range of complex insurance coverage disputes. Tony is often called upon to go to fire scenes and take control of fire investigation to protect his clients’ interests. He has substantial trial experience, having tried cases in state courts throughout the Midwest and in federal court. He also has substantial experience in all methods of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), both as a participant as well as a neutral.

Julia J. Nierengarten is an attorney in our Appellate group, where she employs her research and writing skills to draft motions, handle appeals, and consult on litigation issues. She works with attorneys in practice groups throughout the firm, particularly in the areas of professional liability, commercial litigation, products liability, construction, and insurance coverage. Prior to joining the firm, Julia clerked for the Honorable Terri J. Stoneburner at the Minnesota Court of Appeals.