Wicker Smith

As we wrap up 2024 and reflect on the year, we are grateful for our clients and honored to represent them doing work that truly matters. We look forward to protecting your interests and Defending the Future with you in 2025.

Congratulations to Naples partner, Kevin Crews, who was recently welcomed into the Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel . The FDCC’s mission is to be an inspired community of vetted defense counsel, exceptional leaders, and even better people. The Federation is dedicated to enhancing civility and integrity within the legal profession, fostering civil justice, and promoting fellowship, and includes members from all 50 states and more than two dozen countries throughout the world. To become a member of the FDCC, a lawyer must be nominated by a current member, and then undergo a rigorous vetting process by an independent Admissions Committee and finally be elected for membership by the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors. Kevin wishes to thank Oscar Cabanas and Jacob Liro for nominating him, and he is thrilled to join the esteemed ranks of the FDCC. 

We're #hiring a new Associate Attorney in Jacksonville, Florida. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Associate Attorney in Tampa, Florida. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Fort Lauderdale partners Jason Glusman, Jonathon Miller, and James Foster, and Miami partner Jaime Baca obtained a defense verdict in a catastrophic injury case on behalf of a large Florida-based grocery store in Osceola County, Florida, earlier this month.   Plaintiff in this case was employed by an independent contractor that the grocery store used for maintenance jobs at their dairy processing plant. While performing his job duties under the instruction and supervision of his employer, Plaintiff was involved in a workplace accident that resulted in him incurring significant burns on his stomach and genitals. He was airlifted from the scene and spent several days in the hospital undergoing burn treatment protocols. In addition to the medical bills, the lawsuit included a claim for PTSD and a loss of consortium claim from Plaintiff’s wife, to whom he had been married just six months prior to the subject incident.      At the end of a six-day trial, Plaintiff asked for $17 million in closing arguments. The jury found no liability on the part of our client, and returned a complete defense verdict. Due to the rejection of a Proposal for Settlement, our client will be entitled to seeks fees and costs; they also intend to pursue a separate action for indemnity from Plaintiff’s employer.   Congratulations to everyone who worked on this difficult case. 

Jacksonville associate Caroline Kubovy is not only a talented healthcare attorney, she is leading the way in the Jacksonville legal community as well. In June of this year, she was appointed as Chair of the Jacksonville Bar Association's Health Law Committee. Health Law Committee members handle cases involving healthcare transactions, contracts, compliance with state and federal regulations, licensure, malpractice, medical devices, and civil litigation, and the committee serves as a resource to members for best practices and new case law. Additionally, she has served on the Jacksonville Women Lawyers Association Board of Directors since 2023.  The JWLA’s mission is to actively promote gender equality and the leadership roles of its members in the legal profession, judiciary, and community at large.  Caroline currently holds the title of Judicial Reception Director and is tasked with planning the annual event honoring the judiciary.  The Judicial Reception hosts hundreds of judges, lawyers, and local business leaders.    Both of these positions are voluntary, and require a considerable investment of time and energy. We are so proud of Caroline and her commitment to serving her colleagues in the legal community in such an impactful way! 

🔹 Important Update 🔹 The Supreme Court of Florida has made several key changes to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, with notable focus on the adherence to court-ordered deadlines and the scope of discovery. These changes are intended to promote the fair and timely resolution of civil cases, and will go into effect January 1, 2025. All parties involved in civil litigation in Florida should make an effort to thoroughly familiarize themselves with these rules before they go into effect. Read our memo on the subject and feel free to reach out to one of our partners with any questions you may have. Memo can be found: https://lnkd.in/eNtjJbRS

We're #hiring a new Associate Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia. Apply today or share this post with your network.

We're #hiring a new Associate Attorney in Rockledge, Florida. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Naples associate Anne Marie Macia, Esq. recently obtained summary judgment in a breach of contract case in Lee County, Florida. Plaintiff in this case alleged that our client, an insurance agent, failed to timely secure insurance coverage for their property, which was then severely damaged in a hurricane. Anne Marie argued that Plaintiff had no evidence to support their claims of negligence, and further argued that the evidence proffered by the defense rebutted the Plaintiff’s claims on their face. Following the hearing, the Court issued a lengthy order granting the Motion and dismissing all claims against our client. Anne Marie authored both parts of this Motion, and argued it before the Court. We could not be prouder of this excellent work from such a promising young lawyer.