Received: via mail

Dear Mr. Lawrence:

My name is Michael Monnig.  I am a Deputy Sheriff with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.  I would like to take this opportunity to thank TMPA for the legal representation that was provided to me during a recent grievance hearing.  TMPA provided legal representation through the law firm of Lyon, Gorsky, Haring & Gilbert, L.L.P., and their associate, Chris Livingston.

I was instructing at the Department’s academy in November 2007 when I was injured on the job.  I was inside the FIST suit during dynamic training scenarios with the cadets.  I over extended my left shoulder and suffered a complete tear of my left rotator cuff.  The injury was extensive and required 5 ½ hours of surgery in December 2007.  During the subsequent recovery and therapy, it was determined that I would require a second surgery in June 2008.  I notified my department and was told I either had to report back to work, resign, or be terminated.

I immediately contacted Lyon, Gorsky, Haring & Gilbert to obtain legal representation and was put in contact with their associate, Chris Livingston. Within 24 hours, I had my first meeting with Chris and he began filing requests to the department for an extension of my leave.  All requests were denied by Dallas County and I was subsequently terminated on June 30, 2008, six days after my second surgery. 

My Civil Service Commission hearing was eventually set for August 21, 2008.  Chris’s questioning of Department officials and presentation of the facts at my Civil Service Commission hearing was outstanding.  The Civil Service Commission voted to reinstate me.  I will return to work on or before October 1st. 

I cannot begin to express how important it is to be a member of TMPA.  When I originally joined TMPA, I always thought there might be a possibility that I would have to obtain legal representation to defend against an excessive force claim, or other claim made by a suspect.  I never dreamed that I would have to use this service against my own department.  I’m extremely thankful to TMPA for this service that is afforded to its members.

Chris Livingston is an exceptional attorney.  He was supportive from the start and always believed that my case held merit.  My family and I always knew that Chris would do the right thing for us and not stop until I was reinstated.  He did just that.

Again, thank you to TMPA for your assistance during this matter. 

Sincerely,

Michael Monnig
Deputy Sheriff
Dallas County Sheriff’s Department