Milton Ferrell Jr., chairman of Ferrell Worldwide and former president of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, filed a lawsuit against two brake companies and the Big Three automakers one week before his death in November 2008 of mesothelioma. The defendants include Ford Motor Co., Chrysler LLC and Borg Warner Corp. Ferrell v. Borg Warner Corp., No. 08-99204 CA 3.
Ferrell, 57, had worked on cars and brakes throughout college, inhaling asbestos as he cleaned the brakes, said his attorney and friend, James Ferraro.
In the days before his death, Ferraro rushed to get a court order so Ferrell could give a video deposition before his death. One day before he died, Ferrell gave a 3 1/2 hour video deposition from his deathbed, despite being in terrible pain and refusing painkillers so he could be lucid.
“He wasn’t going to sue if everything turned out okay,” Ferraro said. “But once it was clear his prognosis was bleak, he decided to file suit.”
A former criminal defense lawyer, Ferrell most recently led the 20-lawyer Ferrell Worldwide firm. He is formerly of Ferrell Schultz Carter & Fertel, large firm with offices throughout Latin America and illustrious clientele.
An active Democrat, Ferrell was the Florida finance chairman of Senator John Kerry’s 2004 presidential campaign.
Steve Waserstein, managing partner of Ferrell Worldwide, said Ferrell had a succession plan that calls for the firm to continue and Waserstein to continue in his current role, handling firm business.
