Jeremy Mayfield changes attorney; Mark Geragos expected to join legal team
Related story: Jeremy Mayfield reportedly looking into hiring high-profile attorney Mark Geragos
Jeremy Mayfield is set to be represented by celebrity lawyer Mark Geragos as he has officially terminated his relationship with Charlotte attorney Bill Diehl in his lawsuit against NASCAR over his suspension for allegedly violating NASCAR’s substance-abuse policy.
Paperwork filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Charlotte shows the law firm of Maxwell, Freeman & Bowman as the replacement for Diehl’s firm. James Maxwell filed the paperwork for the Durham-based firm and, in an e-mail, stated he would be the local counsel and referred all questions to Geragos. A well-known California attorney, Geragos has defended pop star Michael Jackson and convicted murderer Scott Peterson.
Mayfield has sued NASCAR for suspending him for a May 1 drug test that it says was positive for methamphetamines but which Mayfield claims produced a false positive reading as the result of the prescription drug Adderall, which is used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and over-the-counter allergy medication Claritin-D. Mayfield has denied using methamphetamines several times, while NASCAR has produced affidavits of acquaintances and relatives alleging methamphetamine use.
If the case is not settled, a trial could come next September.
The case has taken several twists. Mayfield won an injunction July 1 to lift his suspension, but the U.S. Court of Appeals temporarily rescinded that injunction July 24 until a full appeal could be heard. The injunction appeal is tentatively scheduled for sometime Dec. 1-3.
After Mayfield won the injunction, NASCAR obtained another urine sample from Mayfield on July 6 that the sanctioning body says also tested positive for methamphetamines. Mayfield has filed documentation from a test he said he took within an hour of the NASCAR test, and that sample was not positive for methamphetamines.
NASCAR has countersued Mayfield for violating the agreement drivers sign with NASCAR to obtain their license. Part of that agreement includes following the terms of the substance-abuse policy, which requires drivers to inform NASCAR of changes in medication.
