A Sommerman, McCaffity, Quesada and Geisler legal team representing former Quitman police captain Terry Bevill in his legal dispute against powerful former East Texas officials has received the John Howie award from the Dallas Trial Lawyers Association.
Bevill’s lawsuit, originally filed in 2019, claimed Wood County officials, including the district court judge, sheriff, and district attorney conspired with City of Quitman officials to have Bevill fired and charged with a third-degree felony, for signing an affidavit in support of a criminal defendant’s right to a fair trial in another county.
The SMQG legal team filed a federal lawsuit seeking compensation and emotional damages against Wood County, the City of Quitman, and the public officials involved. Following two interlocutory appeals to the Fifth Circuit and an 8-day jury trial, the jury awarded Bevill $18 million in compensatory damages and $3.35 million in punitive damages against the individual defendants. Bevill ultimately settled his claims with the defendants earlier this year following a 98-page Order issued by the district court denying all of the Defendants’ post-judgment motions. After settling with Bevill’s former employer, the City of Quitman issued a proclamation honoring Bevill’s career in law enforcement.
The DTLA presents the award to attorneys and their clients who exhibit “the courageous pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.” The award is named for renowned Dallas lawyer John Howie, who died in 2002.
