SOUTH FLORIDA’S - Leaders In The Law · PDF fileSOUTH FLORIDA’S 2017 ... she represents Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses ... Alan Konzelman and Eleanor Konzelman

LEADING LAWYERSSOUTH FLORIDA’S

2017

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South Florida’s Verdicts and SettlementsAlso Inside:

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BURLINGTON & ROCKENBACH, P.A.Civil and Appellate Litigation Leaders

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION TO THE MIAMI HERALD

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Leaders In The Law presents South Florida’s Leading Lawyers, a special section featuring exceptional lawyers and law firms practicing in the region.

Finding the right lawyer for any legal issue is a difficult but important decision. We invite you to use this publication as a resource to help eliminate the guesswork of selecting legal counsel. Whether offering legal services in personal injury or medical malpractice, real estate or family law or in numerous other practice areas, these lawyers are available and ready to help you no matter how complex your legal issues may be.

This year we have added a new feature that will help you find the right lawyer for major litigation cases. We have partnered with LexisNexis to provide you with the names of litigators who have won “big” for their clients in the last year. Starting at $500,000 and ascending to a whopping $236 million, these cases have been litigated by South Florida’s elite lawyers, many of whom are featured in these pages.

To learn more about these leading lawyers and law firms and Leaders In The Law, please visit leadersinthelaw.com. To send your thoughts or if you’d like to be included in the online edition and our listings, please contact us at [email protected].

Sincerely,

Kevin VermeulenCEO, Leaders In The Law

For over 16 years, Ratzan Law Group has provided sophisticated trial advocacy to patients and consumers in courts throughout the United States, going up against powerful insurance companies, hospitals, doctors, manufacturers, and corporations in the process.

“By taking on cases involving devastating injuries, we’ve dedicated ourselves to building a safer society,” says fi rm founder Stuart N. Ratzan, who has been AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, the organization’s highest honor for legal ability and ethical standards. “We can’t undo the horror that affl icts our clients, but we can help prevent it from happening to someone else, thereby enforcing the safety rules that protect all of us from harm, chaos, and mayhem.”

Stuart N. Ratzan, Stuart J. Weissman, and Evan Gilead bring extensive trial experience to their practice, which focuses on medical malpractice, product liability, personal injury, and commercial trials. Th is experience has allowed Ratzan Law Group to win successful judgments for countless clients, including such notable results as a $23 million medical malpractice

verdict that is believed to be the largest civil jury verdict in Charlott e County, Fla., history.Most recently, the fi rm secured a $46.5 million verdict in El Dorado, Arkansas, (the largest medical malpractice verdict in Arkansas history) for 3-year-old Kara

Smalls, who suff ered profound brain damage due to untreated newborn jaundice.“Kara will require 24-hour care for the remainder of her life, all because patient safety guidelines were ignored,” Weissman notes. “And while this verdict doesn’t

change what happened,” adds Ratzan, “it ensures that Kara will be cared for and that the doctor and hospital are held accountable—a positive outcome for the community as a whole.”

Ratzan Law GroupMedical Malpractice, Personal Injury, Commercial Law

1450 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2600, Miami, Florida 33131Toll Free: 855.754.5291 | Ph: 305.374.6366 | Fax : 305.374.6755

www.ratzanlawgroup.com

Attorneys pictured from left: Stuart J. Weissman, Stuart N. Ratzan, Evan Gilead

PRESENTS

During her 33 years of practice, Roberta Mandel has argued more than 1,000 appeals in every Florida appellate court, the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh District Court of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. With approximately 650 reported decisions, she off ers an unparalleled depth of experience. She has also been involved in countless trials during her career.

Mandel is oft en involved from the inception of a case in the trial court through the appellate stage. She says. “It’s advantageous for trial att orneys to have experienced appellate att orneys involved in trial court litigation so all viable arguments are preserved for appellate court review.”

Mandel is AV Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell®, and has been designated a Legal Leader by the Miami Herald and a Florida Super Lawyer for many years. She began her career working on high-profi le criminal cases. Starting in 2004, she went on to head the appellate departments of two law fi rms. Among her more notable cases was litigation stemming from Anna Nicole Smith’s death in Florida, which garnered worldwide media coverage.

In 2010, Mandel founded her own full-service trial and appellate litigation fi rm, the Mandel Law Group. Th ere, she represents Fortune 500 companies as well as small businesses and individuals in civil and criminal matt ers. She was one of the fi rst att orneys to eff ectively argue that trial att orneys who successfully represent homeowners in foreclosure actions are entitled to fee multipliers. Mandel also handles complex as well as simple divorce cases in both the trial and appellate court arenas.

Roberta MandelCivil and Criminal Litigation, Family Law, Appellate

Mandel Law Group, P.A.8925 S.W. 148th Street, Suite 200, Miami, FL 33176

Ph: 305.233.5041 | Fax : 305.233.5042 | [email protected] | [email protected]

Silvia Ros

Roberta Mandel

When preparing for trial, att orney Phillip J. Sheehe—founding partner of Sheehe & Associates, P.A.—spares no expense with his time or his money. Sheehe will spend months poring over thousands of documents, interviewing scores of witnesses, and lining up experts from across the country. As the trial date approaches, Sheehe has been known to work 15 hours a day, seven days a week. “We don’t cut corners,” Sheehe says. “Our theory is that when we go into a courtroom we want to give our client the best opportunity to win, which means leaving no stone unturned.”

Sheehe is AV® Preeminent™ rated by Martindale-Hubbell®—the organization’s highest rating for legal ability and professional ethics—and has handled complex litigation for more than three decades. He focuses his practice on commercial, products liability, and insurance cases that oft en require several weeks, if not months, to try. Indeed, one of Sheehe’s cases involved a six-month jury trial in Miami that resulted in a favorable outcome against a national products company.

With offi ces in Miami, Lake Mary and Pensacola, Sheehe is able to represent major corporations and individuals throughout the state of Florida. He also handles cases in federal court, and makes a point of taking on a range of cases so that he can remain skilled in multiple areas. “Being in the courtroom and fi ghting for my clients brings mea lot of pleasure,” he says. “I enjoy winning, and I’m good at it.”

Sheehe & Associates, PACommercial Litigation, Insurance Litigation

South FloridaOne Biscayne Tower, Suite 2650

2 South Biscayne BoulevardMiami, FL 33131Ph: 305.379.3515Fx: 305.379.5404

www.sheeheandassociates.com

Pensacola21 East Garden Street

Suite 204Pensacola, FL 32501

Ph: 850.438.3997

Central Florida735 Primera Boulevard

Suite 225Lake Mary, FL 32746

Ph: 407.804.9415 | Fx: [email protected] J. Sheehe

Civil Litigation & Trial Practice


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South Florida’s Verdictsall data on

# Date Case Type Of Action Plaintiff's Counsel Award Amount

1 December 29, 2016 Securities and Exchange Commission v. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries LTD

Securities and Exchange Commission - Foreign Corrupt Practices Act - Alleged Pharmaceutical Company Bribery of Foreign Officials

Jenny Trotman and Russell Koonin of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) $236,101,824

2 October 24, 2016 United States of America v. Embraer S.A. Fraud - Bribery - Alleged Violation of FCPA

Jason Linder, John-Alex Romano of the U.S. Department of Justice - Criminal Division, Washington, D.C.; Kara Brockmeyer of the SEC in Miami, FL

$83,800,000

3 February 12, 2016 Federal Trade Commission and the State of Florida v. Boost Software, Inc.

Alleged Violation of TSR & UTPA

J. Ronald Brooke, Jr. and Russell Deitch of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Washington, D.C. $37,000,000

4 October 25, 2016

Alan Konzelman and Eleanor Konzelman v. Philip Morris USA Inc., R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Co, Liggett Group LLC, Other Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co. Formerly Known as Liggett Group Inc., Lorillard Inc., Lorillard Tobacco Co., and Vector Broup Ltd. Inc. Formerly Known As Brooke Group Ltd.

Products Liability - Manufacturing Defect - Products Liability - Failure to Warn - Tobacco

Eric S. Rosen and Kimberly L. Wald of Kelly / Uustal, PLC $28,795,000

5 March 10, 2016 Raul Adrian Castro Manzano and Catheryne Cristina Lucero v. Carey Royal Ramm Funeral Home, Inc.

Professional Negligence - Mishandling of Corpses - Contracts - Breach of Contract - Emotional Distress

Neal W. Hirschfeld, Jared Ross and Mark L. Siedle of Greenspoon Marder, P.A. $28,000,000

6 August 30, 2016

Richard Batchelor, and Regina Batchelor, his wife v. American Optical Corporation; Banner Supply Co; Bechtel Corporation; Bechtel Construction Company; CBS Corporation f/k/a Viacom Inc.

Products Liability - Asbestos - Toxic Torts - Failure to Warn - Premises Liability - Negligent Repair and/or Maintenance

Juan P. Bauta and Gabriel S. Saade of The Ferraro Law Firm, P.A. $21,000,000

8 December 22, 2016 FTC v. Inbound Call Experts, LLCFraud - Alleged State and Federal Deceptive Trade Act Violations

Colleen B. Robbins, Andrew S. Hudson, James E. Evans and Emily Cope Burton of the FTC in Washington, D.C. $10,000,000

10 February 2, 2016 Abraham Cohen v. Avra Jain, Paul Cashman Murphy, and HH Investments, LLC

Contract Law Seth E. Miles of Grossman Roth, P.A. $8,189,060

Verdicts reported from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

For more on differences that deliver in Florida, visit LEXISNEXIS.COM/FL-RESEARCH Continue on page 6

9 June 13, 2016

All Star Boxing Inc. v. Saul Alvarez

and Golden Boy Promotions, Inc.

Breach of Contract - Tortious Interference with

Contractual Relations - Unjust Enrichment - Loss of

Profits Claimed

Alejandro Brito and Melissa Softness of Zarco, Einhorn,

Salkowski & Brito, P.A.; Antonio S. Gonzalez of

Antonio S. Gonzalez, P.A.

$8,500,000

7 April 27, 2016 Joachim Et Al. v. Auguste, Et Al.

Motor Vehicle Negligence - DUI - Intersection Collision -

Permanent Brain Injury

Mark P. Mullen of Mark P. Mullen & Associates;

James K. Clark and Robert R. Coulombe, Jr. of Clark,

Robb, Mason, Coulombe & Buschman

$11,863,716

11 November 2, 2016

Ledo, Mirtha; Et Al. v. R.J. Reynolds

Tobacco Co. Product Liability - Tobacco

Bard D. Rockenbach of Burlington & Rockenbach

P.A.; Austin Carr, Esq., Koch Parafinczuk & Wolf, P.A.

$6,000,000Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito Attorneys at Law

Miami Tower, 100 S.E. 2nd Street, Suite 2700, Miami, FL 33131 | PH: (305) 374-5418 | Fx : (305) 374-5428www.zarcolaw.com

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A. is renowned for providing the highest caliber of legal services, expertise, and professionalism in the areas of franchisor/franchisee, manufacturing/distributor, automobile, truck and equipment dealer disputes, and complex commercial law including litigation, arbitration, and mediation in United States federal and state courts. Th e fi rm also has signifi cant experience in

related areas, including real estate litigation, landlord-tenant disputes, employment litigation and transactional matt ers relating to franchising, real estate and corporate and partnership law. Based in Miami, the fi rm has achieved national and international recognition in franchise law by representing clients throughout the world including Mexico, France, Holland, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and the Caribbean.

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A. has been in the forefront of important franchise law issues, such as encroachment/cannibalization, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, fraud in the inducement, fraudulent concealment, and breach of contract, in addition to statutory violations of state and federal franchise laws. Th e fi rm has earned signifi cant victories for franchisees and has established legal precedents which have paved the way for courts to understand the complexities of the franchise relationship.

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A. represents franchisees in disputes against major franchise systems in the hotel, restaurant, and service industries, such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Papa Johns, Dunkin Donuts, Coca Cola, 7-Eleven, Best Western, Howard Johnsons, and Servpro to name a few.

Th e Firm’s Senior Partner, Robert Zarco is recognized as one of the nation’s top franchise lawyers and has provided expert testimony before various state legislatures. He also travels nationwide presenting lectures on topics vital to franchisees and has appeared on radio and television programs, to provide expert commentary on specifi c franchise cases, and franchising in general.

Shown left to right: Alejandro Brito, Robert F. Salkowski,Kaari Gagnon, Robert Zarco, Robert Einhorn and Himanshu Patel

Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A.

Franchise Law, Commercial Litigation, Trial Lawyers

Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A. is a full-service civil appellate law fi rm,

representing clients in a wide variety of appellate and trial matt ers. Th e Firm

has successfully appealed hundreds of cases for its clients over the years,

which include cases pertaining to tort, medical negligence, insurer bad faith,

family law, commercial disputes, insurance coverage, and Engle progeny

cigarett e liability claims. Th e Firm has also successfully assisted trial counsel in litigation matt ers that have resulted in a positive result to the client. Th e Firm’s fi ve

att orneys, four of whom are board certifi ed, and four paralegals have the experience in appellate law and procedures to handle all aspects of a client’s case, taking

it from trial support to the Florida Supreme Court. Trial att orneys from around the state have come to rely on the Firm’s experience to create a winning strategy

when the case is fi rst fi led, and to handle issues as they arise later in the litigation. Engaging the Firm as part of the trial process

gives boutique trial fi rms and solo practitioners the resources of one of the largest appellate law fi rms in the State of Florida.

Civil Appellate Law and Trial Support Services

Burlington & Rockenbach, P.A.Courthouse Commons/Suite 350

444 West Railroad Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401Ph: 561.721.0400 | Fx : 561.721.0465

www.flappellatelaw.com

From left to right: Andrew A. Harris, Nichole J. Segal, Bard D. Rockenbach, Adam J. Richardson, and Philip M. Burlington.




12 February 17, 2016 United States of America v. Dignity Health DOJ - Fraud - False Claims Act Violation

Wifredo A. Ferrer of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Miami, FL $5,900,000

13 June 15, 2016Robert Lesniak, as Successor Personal Representative of the Estate of Theresa M. Lesniak v. Peter William Ferreira

Vehicular Liability - Wrongful Death - Motor Vehicle Collision - DWI

Judson L. Cohen and Mark Weinstein of Weinstein & Cohen, P.A. $5,094,000

14 August 1, 2016William ("Bill") Rolland; Lisa Rolland, his wife; and Bill Rolland, Inc., a California Corporation v. 100 NWT Fee Owner, LLC

Intentional Torts - Defamation - Malicious Prosecution - Worker/Workplace Negligence

Robert W. Stickney of Robert W. Stickney P.A.; David H. Pollack of Pollack Law Firm $4,632,000

16 September 16, 2016Ana Watson as personal representative of the estate of Maria Deposada, deceased, v. Pernod Ricard USA, LLC., f/k/a Austin, Nichols & Co., Inc.

Motor Vehicle Accident - Injury

John H. Hickey and Bjorg Eikeland of Hickey Law Firm, P.A. $4,500,000

17 May 17, 2016 2520 Miami Road Capital, LLC v. Dalco 84, LLC and Lawrence Duprey Contract - Property Law Eric T. Salpeter and Cristy L. Caserta of Salpeter

Gitkin, LLP $4,186,258

19 January 1, 2016 Baby D v. Defendant Hospital Medical Malpractice - Hospital Negligence

Brett Alan Panter and David Sampedro of Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A. $2,750,000

20 November 22, 2016 Beam v. Carnival CorporationAdmiralty Law - Negligent Operation of Cruise Ship Water Slide Area

Jason R. Margulies, Michael A. Winkleman and Jacqueline Garcell of Lipcon, Margulies, Alsina & Winkleman

$2,635,933

21 March 18, 2016 Michael Asia v. City of Miami Gardens, Et Al.

Civil Rights - Use of Excessive Force - Racial Profiling - Bicyclist Stopped and Struck While Handcuffed

Reginald J. Clyne of Quintairos, Prieto, Wood & Boyer, P.A.; Roderick D. Vereen of the Law Office of Roderick D. Vereen, P.A.

$2,045,000

22 January 27, 2016 Jean Suarez v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., Et Al.

Negligence - Motor Vehicles - Rear-End Collision - Underinsured Motorist

Gary Alan Friedman, Zachary A. Friedman and John Seligman of Friedman & Friedman, P.A. $1,955,000

23 February 5, 2016 Rankin v. Park One of FloridaPremises Liability - Premises Liability - Inadequate or Negligent Security

Daniel M. Grissom and Daniel B. Caine of Stabinski & Funt, P.A. $1,881,000

24 February 18, 2016 Kazandra Bern v. Dafne Acevedo and Marcelle Camejo

Negligence - Motor Vehicle Collision - Failure to Yield to Traffic Signal - Disputed Liability and Causation of Damages

Lake H. Lytal, III and Nelson Baez of Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath $1,825,948

25 May 12, 2016 Maria Navas v. Regal Entertainment Group, Inc., and David Escamillio Martin

Premises Liability - Inadequate or Negligent Security - Amusement Park/Place of Entertainment - Intentional Torts - Assault and Battery

Jason R. Brenner and Douglas J. McCarron of The Haggard Law Firm, P.A. $1,700,000

26 April 22, 2016 Strybuc Replacement Hardware, LLC v. Christopher Ortiz and Nationwide Parts & Hardware, Inc.

Intellectual Property - Misappropriation of Trade Secrets - Business Law - Unfair Competition

Francisco A. Rodriguez, Michael C. Marsh and Darryl R. Graham of Akerman LLP $1,518,000

27 April 14, 2016Bank of America, N.A. v. Jaime A. Restrepo; Peninsula II Condominium Assoc. Inc.; Peninsula Homeowners' Assoc., Inc.

Contract - Property Law Julissa Diaz of the Gladstone Law Group, P.A. $1,453,923

28 July 6, 2016 Jenkins v. Jakes

Negligent Operation of Personal Watercraft - Excessive Speed - Operating Under the Influence of Alcohol - Collision Between Watercrafts

Keith Brais and Richard Rusak of Brais & Associates P.A. $1,186,905

29 June 16, 2016 Pilotos v. DefendantsNegligent Security - Failure to Adequately Monitor Parking Lot - Wrongful Death

Todd J. Michaels of The Haggard Law Firm $1,000,000

# Date Case Type Of Action Plaintiff's Counsel Award Amount

Start your case analysis at LEXISNEXIS.COM/VSA

Continued from page 4

18 January 28, 2016 Lucas v. Defendants

Negligent Security at Miami Nightclub -

Wrongful Death

Alan Goldfarb of Alan Goldfarb, P.A., Todd J. Michaels of The

Haggard Law Firm; $3,100,000

15 January 20, 2016

Plaintiff (Withheld) v. 21st Century

Oncology, LLC

Medical malpractice - Oncology negligence -

Unnecessary hysterectomy

Donna B. Michelson and Karen Bzdyk of Donna B. Michelson,

P.A.$4,581,075


Jay Cohen represents individuals and families who suff er due to the negligence of others. His experience has earned him membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, peer recognition from Super Lawyers, Florida’s Legal Elite, Th e Best Lawyers in America, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from America’s Top 100 Att orneys®. Earlier this year, he won the Broward County Bar Association’s Lynn Futch Professionalism Award.

Jay was twice named a fi nalist in the Daily Business Review’s Most Eff ective Lawyers Report in the medical malpractice category as a

result of two large jury verdicts. In 2015, as lead trial counsel, he obtained a $14 million sett lement in a class action suit against Broward General Medical Center on behalf of cardiac stress lab patients who, over a fi ve-year period, were exposed to contaminated saline. In 2014, the DBR named him a Finalist in the same category aft er he obtained a jury award of $19.25 million for a 43-year-old Hollywood woman who suff ered damages due to negligent delay in treatment.

Jay is an elected member of Th e Florida Bar’s Board of Governors and the Board of the Urban League of Broward County. He has taught law at Nova Southeastern University Law School and St. Th omas University School of Law. He was an undergraduate at the University of Florida and received his J.D. at South Texas College of Law.

Jay Cohen, P.A.

Plaintiff Medical Negligence, Plaintiff Personal Injury & Complex Commercial Litigation

Law Office of Jay Cohen, P.A.100 SE 3rd Avenue, Ste. 1100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33394

[email protected] | Ph: 954.449.8700 | Fx : 954.763.6093JayCohenLaw.com

Jay Cohen

Carlos del Amo has been committ ed to protecting people’s rights and helping clients achieve justice since the day he joined the bar. “Experience has shown me that to maximize results for clients you have to be ready to go the full distance,” he says, “so as a veteran litigator, I prepare all my cases with the same commitment and att ention to detail as if they were going to trial.” Born in Cuba, del Amo immigrated to the United States when he was 7 years old. Aft er a successful 15-year career as an entrepreneur and businessman, he went to law school at the age of 32, graduating from the University of Miami in 1988. From there, he litigated cases, fi rst as an associate and later as a partner for the fi rm High, Stack, Lazenby, Palahach & del Amo. In 1996, he opened his own fully bilingual offi ce in Coral Gables, delAmoLaw, where he cemented his reputation as a leading personal injury and family law trial att orney. Indeed, del Amo has enjoyed an AV Preeminent® rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest for legal ability and ethical standards, since 1992. He has also been listed in Who’s Who for Practicing Att orneys and inducted into the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is past president of the Coral Gables Bar Association and past director of both the Dade County Bar Association and the Latin Builder’s Association. In 2007, delAmoLaw—which focuses on personal injury, family law, real estate, immigration, insurance claims, and personal injury protection—was named best law fi rm of the year by the LBA.

Law Offi ces of Carlos del AmoPersonal Injury, Family Law, Real Estate

Law Offices of Carlos del Amo3211 Ponce de Leon Blvd., Suite 200, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Ph: 305.443.7005 | Toll Free: 888.447.7005 | Fax : 305.443.2238www.delAmoLaw.com

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Carlos del Amo





South Florida’s Settlementsall data on

Settlements reported from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

# Date Case Type of Action Plaintiff's Counsel Award Amount

1 December 1, 2016 United States of America v. Princess Cruise Lines LTD

Toxic Tort - Alleged Pollution Of U.S. Waterways

Richard A. Udell and Thomas Watts-Fitzgerald of U.S. Department of Justice - Criminal Division - Economic & Environmental Crimes Section in Washington, D.C.

$40,000,000

2 January 25, 2016

Enrique Montoya, Neyser Colonia, Xi Chen Lauren, and Mark Stuckey, on behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated, v. PNC Bank, N.A., American Security Insurance Company, Standard Guaranty Insurance Company, and Voyager Indemnity Insurance Company

Class Action - Homeowners Insurance - Inflated Force-Placed Insurance with Kickbacks to Lenders

Adam M. Moskowitz, Thomas A. Tucker Ronzetti, Rachel Sullivan, and Robert J. Neary of Kozyak Tropin Throckmorton, LLP; Aaron S. Podhurst, Peter Prieto, John Gravante, III, and Matthew Weinshall of Podhurst Orseck, P.A; Lance A. Harke, Sarah Engel, and Howard M. Bushman of Harke Clasby & Bushman LLP

$32,300,000

3 July 25, 2016 United States of America v. Latam Airlines Group, S.A

Fraud - Bribery- Alleged Violation of FCPA

Jason Linder of U.S. Department of Justice - Criminal Division in Washington, D.C. $22,200,000

4 September 30, 2016

Bryan Perez, Individually, and B.I.P., a Minor Child by and through Bryan Perez and Jennifer Perez, Natural Parents, v. Carmel Lakes Property Owners Association, Inc.; Carmel Lakes Condominium No. 9 Association, Inc.; Phoenix Management Services, Inc.; and WLV Assets, LLC, et al.

Negligence - Premises Liability - Failure to Provide Adequate Security - Home Invasion Robbery

Pedro P. Echarte, Jr. of Haggard Law Firm $10,015,000

5 December 12, 2016 Andrea Mirabal v. Christopher John Petricone, Jr., and Lotspeich Company, Inc.

Vehicular Liability-Negligence - Motor Vehicles - Motorist on Side of Road Struck by Passing Vehicle

Joseph Slama, Kelly D. Hancock, Kelley Stewart, Blake V. Dolman, and Christopher W. Royer Krupnick, Campbell, Malone, Buser, Slama, Hancock, Liberman

$6,650,000

6 June 14, 2016

Aleida Pilotos, as Personal Representative of the Estate of Miguel Pilotos, deceased v. Ryta Food Corp., a Florida Corporation; 13931 NW 27 Avenue, LLC, a Florida Limited Liability Company; and Taumara Protection Services, Inc., A Florida Corporation

Premises Liability - Inadequate or Negligent Security - Negligent Repair and/or Maintenance - Wrongful Death

Todd J. Michaels, Michael Andrew Haggard, and Todd J. Michaels of The Haggard Law Firm

$1,000,000

7 August 22, 2016

Valerie Robles v. Jessie Trice Community Health Center, Inc., Florida non-profit corporation, d/b/a Jefferson Reaves House: Women's Residential

Worker/Workplace Negligence - Negligent Supervision

Adam D. Breit and Cam F. Justice of Justice Law $1,000,000

8 August 16, 2016Louis Zaretsky and Nancy Zaretsky v. Homayoon Abtahi, PhD, and Avon Park Construction, LLC

Slips, Trips & Falls - Fall from Height - Worker/Workplace Negligence - Negligent Supervision

David W. Singer and Peter Walsh of David W. Singer & Associates, PA $575,000

9 August 15, 2016 Emily Rodriguez v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

Negligence - Motor Vehicle Collision Between Car and Scooter - Underinsured Motorist

James A. Hannon of Hannon Legal Group, P.A. $500,000

For more on differences that deliver in Florida, visit LEXISNEXIS.COM/FL-RESEARCH

Th e founding member of Alan Goldfarb, P.A. and a renowned trial lawyer widely recognized for his courtroom skills, Alan Goldfarb

represents victims and their families in all types of personal injury cases. In a career that spans more than four decades, he has tried hundreds of cases to verdict, helping clients achieve Hundreds of Millions of dollars in verdicts and sett lements. From construction accidents to medical malpractice claims, the fi rm’s caseload spans the spectrum of personal injury and wrongful death claims. Mr. Goldfarb’s most persistent motivation is the desire to care for his clients and to obtain the maximum result for each and every client.

Mr. Goldfarb’s respect comes from his clients and his peers. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers in America® for over ten years. He has been selected to the South Florida Legal Guide as a best att orney in South Florida since 2001; has been listed in Florida Super Lawyers since its inception, and is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell. He has also been among the top 1.9% of Florida att orneys to be nominated by peers for inclusion in Florida Legal Elite for every year of its publication; was awarded Most Eff ective Lawyers in 2013 and 2016 by the Daily Business Review.

Alan Goldfarb, P.A. Trial Attorneys100 Southeast 2nd Street, Suite 4500, Miami, FL 33131

Ph: 305.371.3111 | Fax : 305.577.8375Email: [email protected]

www.goldfarbpa.com

Alan Goldfarb, P.A. Personal Injury

Having recently celebrated her fi rm’s 25th Anniversary, Diana Santa Maria and the Law Offi ces of Diana Santa Maria, P.A. continue to be recognized among the upper echelon of law fi rms handling plaintiff s personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases. In addition to being chosen among a select group of att orneys included in Th e Best Lawyers in America, Diana Santa Maria and her fi rm are listed as part of the National Trial Lawyers’ Top 100; she is AV rated and listed in the Martindale-Hubbell directory of preeminent att orneys.

Over the past 25 years, Diana has obtained multimillion-dollar verdicts and sett lements for victims of auto, train, bus, aviation, and boating accidents, injuries and deaths on construction sites, drownings in unsafe pools and swimming venues, criminal assaults in public places resulting from inadequate security, and medical malpractice cases.

In addition to her practice, Diana is devoted to giving back to the legal profession. She serves as a representative for her circuit on the Florida Bar’s Board of Governors and is a recognized leader and Fellow of the Florida Justice Association, the state’s trial bar organization. A frequent author and lecturer in her fi eld, Diana has served as adjunct professor at Nova Southeastern University Law School and sits on the law school’s Board of Governors.

Diana and her fi rm practice the fi rm’s mott o of passionately pursuing justice as att orneys who understand, care, and can help.

Law Offi ces of Diana Santa Maria P.A.Attorneys who understand, who care, who can help.

Th e Firm Concentrates the Practice In:Catastrophic InjuryAuto, Motorcycle &Trucking accidents

Construction site accidentsMedical Malpractice

Nursing Home NeglectProducts Liability

Inadequate SecurityDefective Drugs &

Pharmaceutical Devices

5220 So. University Dr.Suite 205 C

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328Ph: 954.434.1077 | Fax: 954.434.4462

santamarialaw.net

All Consultations Are Free. Se Habla Espanol.





At Mark Mullen and Associates we handle injury liability matt ers for those people who have sustained serious injury due to the fault of another. We give each matt er personal att ention and use our nearly 30 years experience in personal injury matt ers to obtain the best results possible for you.

Mark P. Mullen, Esq.Ph: 305-931-5447

[email protected] in Miami

Mark P. Mullen and Associates, P.A.

Personal Injury, Medical Malpractice and Commercial Litigation

Chief Executive Officer Kevin Vermeulen

Chief Engagement Officer Guy Alvarez

Chief Strategic Officer Jack Berkowitz

Sr. Account Executives George Schwimmer & Phillip McDonald

Account Executive Renee Moses

Production Manager Christina Cintron

Marketing Manager Gianna Zeppilli

Art Director Ashlee Redd

Profiles Writer Sean Stonefield

Photographer Silvia Ros

For reprints and more information, contact: [email protected] | 866.415.0304 ext. 2

He talks. But mostly he listens.A good listener.

A great strategist. An excellent litigator.

201 S. Biscayne Blvd. 27th Floor, Miami, FL 33131

P: 305.341.3145 | F: [email protected] • spencerfoxlaw.com

Family Law • Divorce • Relocation • Alimony Child Support • Paternity • Nuptial Agreements

AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell

With more than 39 years of trial experience, Dennis M.

Campbell is Board Certifi ed in Business Litigation and Creditor’s Rights. In 2011, he founded the Campbell Law Firm with a dedicated group of professionals.

Mr. Campbell has substantial experience in representing fi nancial institutions, insurance carriers, engineers, developers and manufacturers in state, federal and bankruptcy courts throughout Florida. He has been AV Preeminent Rated® by Martindale-Hubbell for 29 years and has been consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America, Florida Super Lawyers, as among “Florida’s Legal Elite” by Florida Trend Magazine and as a “Top Lawyer in South Florida” by the South Florida Legal Guide. He has lectured nationally and throughout the State of Florida on a variety of topics concerning commercial litigation, including lender liability issues.

CAMPBELL LAW FIRM PLLC201 Alhambra Circle, Suite 602, Coral Gables, FL 33134

Ph: 305.444.6040 | Fax : [email protected]

www.campbelllawfirm.net

DENNIS M. CAMPBELLCREDITOR’S RIGHTS, COMMERCIAL

LITIGATION & REAL ESTATE

A trial lawyer since 1988, Andrew Ellenberg represents individuals and families who have suff ered catastrophic loss as a result of medical negligence, defective products, auto and aviation accidents, and the abuse or neglect of vulnerable adults and the elderly. Mr. Ellenberg is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating for legal ability and ethics. He has been selected for inclusion in Th e Best Lawyers in America© from 2009–2018, by Florida Trend magazine as one of Florida’s Legal Elite, rated “10-Superb” by Avvo, and has been included in every edition of the South Florida Legal Guide’s “Top Lawyers”, Florida Monthly’s “Best Legal Eagles” and Florida Super Lawyers, for his representation of plaintiff s in personal injury and medical malpractice cases.

NEEDLE & ELLENBERG, P.A.1401 Brickell Avenue Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131


Needleellenberg.com

ANDREW L. ELLENBERGMEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL

INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY

Harry Payton is one of 88 att orneys Board Certifi ed by Th e Florida Bar in Civil Trial and Business Litigation. He has received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating, “AV Preeminent® 5 out of 5,” for more than 30 years. Harry represents domestic and international corporations and high net worth individuals in complex business litigation matt ers. He serves on the Supreme Court of Florida’s Committ ee on Professionalism for the 11th Judicial Circuit. In the ABA, he is a member of the Corporate Counsel Committ ee, Section of Litigation. Harry is president of the Miami chapter of the International Network of Boutique and Independent Law Firms (INBLF). He is a thought leader in the “Private Client” group in IR Global, a leading international advisory network.

PAYTON & ASSOCIATES, LLC2 S Biscayne Blvd Ste 2300, Miami, FL 33131

Ph: 305.372.3500 [email protected] | www.payton-Law.com

HARRY PAYTONCOMPLEX COMMERCIAL LITIGATION,

PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY, ART LAWBarry A. Stein is a partner and

managing shareholder at the Law Offi ces of De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary, P.A. Th e fi rm serves clients throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida. Mr. Stein focuses on representing employees in workers’

compensation matt ers; accident-related personal injury matt ers; persons harmed by negligence of physicians or lawyers; commercial litigation; individual and corporate contract disputes. Mr. Stein has been board certifi ed in workers’ compensation by the Florida Board of Legal Specialization and Education. He received an AV-Preeminent* peer rating from Martindale-Hubbell and a superb rating from Avvo.

The Law Offices of De Cardenas, Freixas, Stein & Zachary, P.A.

25 Southeast 2nd Avenue, Ingraham Building Suite 425, Miami FL 33131

305.377.1505 | DIRECT LINE: [email protected] | www.dcfsz.com

Barry A. Stein, Esq.Workers’ Compensation, Personal Injury, General Civil Litigation

Robert S. Steinberg limits his practice to federal

taxation. He is also a CPA. For more than 45 years he has been representing clients, large and small, in civil and criminal tax matt ers including “egg shell” audits, criminal tax investigations, Off shore Voluntary Disclosures, Streamlined Filings, fi ling delinquent, amended, Fift h Amendment, or other complex returns, “Ponzi scheme” losses, divorce tax issues and innocent spouse claims, employment tax examinations, penalty abatements (E.G., Form 5472), Collection Due Process Hearings, Tax Court, blocked foreign income and foreign exchange controls, and tax planning for U.S. and foreign individuals. Robert’s articles have appeared in numerous legal journals. He speaks regularly on divorce, off shore and other tax subjects.

Robert S. Steinberg, Esquire, Attorney - CPA15715 S. Dixie Hwy., Suite 226, Palmetto Bay, FL 33157

PH: [email protected] | www.steinbergtaxlaw.com

ROBERT S. STEINBERG TAXATION

Andrew Needle, B.S. Cornell University, 1974; J.D., University of Miami, 1977, cum laude. Florida Bar, 1977. Florida Bar Board Certifi ed Civil Trial Lawyer. Former editorial consultant to Matt hew Bender Law Books. Author, Post Trial Motions, Florida Civil Trial Practice, Chapter 18, Eleventh Edition. Author, Inside Th e Minds – Representing Plaintiff s in Medical Malpractice Cases, “Current Challenges in Handling Medical Malpractice Actions: Statutory Protections, Expenses, and Societal Misconceptions,” Th omson Reuters/Asparatore 2012. Named as one of South Florida’s Top Lawyers in Medical Malpractice by the South Florida Legal Guide, 2002-2017. Selected as a Heavy Hitt er in health care law by the South Florida Business Journal, Feb. 10, 2006. Selected by his peers for inclusion in Th e Best Lawyers in America, 2007-2017.

NEEDLE & ELLENBERG, P.A.1401 Brickell Avenue Suite 900, Miami, FL 33131


Needleellenberg.com

ANDREW NEEDLEMEDICAL MALPRACTICE, PERSONAL

INJURY, PRODUCTS LIABILITY

Mr. Acosta was born and raised in South Florida. He knows the venue, culture, and can relate to juries. After 20 years of representing insurance companies and Corporate America, Mr. Acosta decided to focus exclusively on representing those wronged by those same companies, or their insured’s. He has tried cases throughout many venues in Florida and litigated thousands of cases involving personal injury, wrongful death, and property damage.

Mr. Acosta is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell, has a 10/10 AVVO rating, and is a Florida Trend’s “Florida Legal Elite” (2016). He is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, and named a “Top Lawyer” by the South Florida Legal Guide for the past 5 years. He is licensed in Florida, The U.S. District of Appeals for the 11th circuit.

301 Almeria Avenue, Suite 100Miami, FL 33134

Ph: 305.858.8880 | Fax : 305.858.8084

JULIO C. ACOSTA

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