News & Insights

Lightfoot Wins Favorable Appellate Result in Cemetery Outrage Case

September 19, 2023

The Alabama Supreme Court has affirmed summary judgment in favor of a Lightfoot client involved in a contentious cemetery outrage case. Jonathan Little and William Morrow represented the client.

The case began when the plaintiff sued the client—a cemetery and burial services provider—and asserted claims of outrage, wantonness, negligence and trespass related to alleged desecration of burial spaces. Lightfoot, which has a successful ongoing relationship with this organization, obtained summary judgment on all counts, which the trial court affirmed despite the plaintiff’s motion for reconsideration. 

Little and Morrow secured an appellate order upholding the entry of summary judgment. The appellate victory upheld the trial court’s dismissal of the lawsuit, in which plaintiff had sought damages of seven figures. 

Little has secured appellate victories for his clients at the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, the Alabama Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. He maintains a varied litigation practice, which includes representing media and communications companies, journalists and broadcasters in defamation and First Amendment matters. He also routinely defends companies in product liability, fire and personal injury litigation, and represents clients in commercial and toxic tort litigation. 

Morrow has practiced for more than 20 years, advocating for clients in a variety of venues across the state of Alabama and the Southeast. His practice primarily focuses on product liability, personal injury, toxic torts and employment. Morrow has first-chair jury trial experience in both commercial and personal injury cases, including representing companies sued under Title VII, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).