GBL 323 – Ethics Writing Assignment #4
All GBL students at Michigan State University are required to read the Buffalo Creek Disaster. The Buffalo Creek Disaster is the story of how attorney Gerald Stern represented clients who had been hurt by flooding in West Virginia attributed to the alleged actions of a coal mining company. Much of the book deals with Stern’s decision of where to file the case. For this assignment, double spaced with 12-point font, that provides me with your take-aways from the book.
In your essay, address as many of the following as you can:
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)
What were the underlying facts that gave rise to the disaster? How did the story impact your view of the legal system, if at all? In what Court did Stern file the case, and why did he select that Court? In what Court did Stern not want to file the case, and why? How did Stern select the defendant who was sued? What were the arguments raised by the defendant to the Complaint and how did the Court rule?
