April 8, 2025 | Announcements

Miles A. McGrane, IV Appointed Chair of Local Professionalism Panel

Miles A. McGrane, IV, a Partner in our Hollywood Office, has recently been appointed by the Chief Judge of the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit, to serve as Chair of the Local Professionalism Panel.  In 2023, the Florida Supreme Court adopted the Code for Resolving Professionalism Referrals and directed the Chief Judge of each circuit to create a local professionalism panel.  The purpose of the Panel is to informally resolve referrals of claimed unprofessional conduct by lawyers practicing in the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit. The Panel is to promote adherence to the Standards of Professionalism and to receive, screen, and act upon referrals of unprofessional conduct; and address those referrals informally, if possible, or refer those referrals to The Florida Bar for investigation.

March 26, 2025 | Verdicts and Settlements

Attorneys Secure Defense Verdict in Georgia Property Dispute Case

Thomasville, GA managing partner, Joshua C. Canton, and partner, Justin B. Hales, won a defense verdict in a Chatham County, GA case where plaintiffs alleged causes of action for trespass, nuisance, negligence, attorney’s fees, and punitive damages.  Plaintiffs contended that the defendant failed to maintain her property and caused dead or dying trees to fall onto Plaintiffs’ property over a period of five years, destroying structures and endangering lives.  Plaintiffs also argued that the defendant maintained raccoons and rats on her property inside of a dilapidated house and caused the creatures to invade the plaintiffs’ property attacking the plaintiffs and their pets.  Defendant contended that the suit was merely a pre-text for Plaintiffs to obtain the Defendant’s waterfront property.  After a four day trial, Plaintiffs asked the jury to award $500,000 plus punitive damages and attorney’s fees.  The jury returned a defense verdict in less than 90 minutes. 

March 17, 2025 | Verdicts and Settlements

Noelia Vaccaro and Maria Chapman Secure Victory in AOB Dismissal Claim

Noelia C. Vaccaro, an attorney in the Hollywood office, and Maria S. Chapman, an attorney in the Tampa office, recently prevailed on a motion to dismiss in an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) case in Escambia County, in which the Court granted the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss with prejudice. The court ruled that the Plaintiff's AOB was invalid under Florida Statute § 627.7152 because it lacked a written, itemized, per-unit cost estimate of services to be performed — a statutory requirement for AOB validity. The court further determined that the deficiency in the AOB was an issue of standing that could not be remedied through amendment. Consequently, the Plaintiff’s Amended Complaint was dismissed. 

February 25, 2025 | Verdicts and Settlements

Directed Verdict Secured in Motor Vehicle Accident Case

Hollywood partners Tom McCausland and Josh Nathanson, along with Amy Klotz, an appellate/litigation support attorney, secured a favorable result on an admitted liability motor vehicle accident. Our client was driving a box truck and reversed into the Plaintiff’s vehicle. Plaintiff waited twelve days to receive any treatment and then was involved in a second motor vehicle accident the day after his first appointment. He claimed neck and back injuries from the first accident and knee and shoulder injuries from the second accident. The judge granted a directed verdict on permanency and future medical bills. Opposing counsel asked the jury to award past medical bills in the amount of $120,000. The jury awarded $2,725, which should be reduced to zero.

February 21, 2025 | Verdicts and Settlements

Tallahassee Partners Secure Summary Judgment Based on Workers' Compensation Immunity

Joshua C. Canton, managing partner of the firm's Tallahassee, Florida office, along with Justin B. Hales, a partner in the firm’s Tallahassee, Florida office, recently prevailed on a motion for summary judgment in a case where the Plaintiff was physically battered by another employee by arguing the employer Defendant was immune from prosecution based on worker’s compensation immunity.