 Carlos Garcia Office: Fort Lauderdale Direct: (954) 847-4814 cagarcia@wickersmith.com Practice Areas: Admitted to Practice:
Miami, FL |
Carlos GarciaBiographyCarlos “Charlie” Garcia is a Shareholder in Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office, where he focuses on complex civil litigation, class action defense, employment law, and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on federal court practice. Charlie began his career as a public school teacher, spending several years teaching English and Writing in Miami-Dade County and Japan before pursuing a legal career. After being admitted to the bar, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Cecilia M. Altonaga in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. These experiences provided Charlie with a profound understanding of effective writing, rhetorical analysis, and federal court procedures, paving the way for his career in federal practice. Charlie manages complex cases for some of the firm’s largest clients and is frequently consulted by his partners on federal matters throughout the firm. He has represented major airlines, fixed base operators, national pharmaceutical brands, retail chains, state prison contractors, and other corporate clients in various matters, including mass tort and class action claims, contractual and transactional issues, commercial litigation, and disputes involving employment, discrimination, public accommodation, and civil rights. Several of Charlie’s cases have had national significance. He secured a Motion to Dismiss for a major retail pharmacy chain in a COVID-era case that became a precedent for similar claims nationwide during the pandemic. He also played a key role in obtaining an opinion for a major international airline that led to procedural changes for air travel to the Bahamas, which remain in effect today. Clients value Charlie’s thoughtful and articulate analysis, as well as his patient explanations of complex issues. His extensive knowledge benefits his clients, and his quiet confidence and collegiality make him adept at navigating contentious matters to successful resolutions. Charlie is an active member of the Florida Bar and the Federal Bar Association and has served on the Southern District of Florida’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Court-Annexed Mediation since August 2020. A devoted husband, father, and dog dad, Charlie enjoys cheering on the Miami Hurricanes and exploring the South Florida food and wine scene with his wife. Professional & Civic Affiliations
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Carlos Garcia - Partner
Carlos Garcia
Partner
Email: cagarcia@wickersmith.com
Direct: (954) 847-4814
Office: Fort Lauderdale
Profile
Carlos “Charlie” Garcia is a Shareholder in Wicker Smith’s Fort Lauderdale office, where he focuses on complex civil litigation, class action defense, employment law, and commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on federal court practice.
Charlie began his career as a public school teacher, spending several years teaching English and Writing in Miami-Dade County and Japan before pursuing a legal career. After being admitted to the bar, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Cecilia M. Altonaga in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. These experiences provided Charlie with a profound understanding of effective writing, rhetorical analysis, and federal court procedures, paving the way for his career in federal practice.
Charlie manages complex cases for some of the firm’s largest clients and is frequently consulted by his partners on federal matters throughout the firm. He has represented major airlines, fixed base operators, national pharmaceutical brands, retail chains, state prison contractors, and other corporate clients in various matters, including mass tort and class action claims, contractual and transactional issues, commercial litigation, and disputes involving employment, discrimination, public accommodation, and civil rights. Several of Charlie’s cases have had national significance. He secured a Motion to Dismiss for a major retail pharmacy chain in a COVID-era case that became a precedent for similar claims nationwide during the pandemic. He also played a key role in obtaining an opinion for a major international airline that led to procedural changes for air travel to the Bahamas, which remain in effect today.
Clients value Charlie’s thoughtful and articulate analysis, as well as his patient explanations of complex issues. His extensive knowledge benefits his clients, and his quiet confidence and collegiality make him adept at navigating contentious matters to successful resolutions.
Charlie is an active member of the Florida Bar and the Federal Bar Association and has served on the Southern District of Florida’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Court-Annexed Mediation since August 2020.
A devoted husband, father, and dog dad, Charlie enjoys cheering on the Miami Hurricanes and exploring the South Florida food and wine scene with his wife.
vCard
Credentials
Education
- University of Miami
(B.A., 2004) - Florida International University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2012)
Representative Matters
Summary Judgment in Case Involving Intoxicated Passenger
We successfully defended a major Atlanta-based airline in this federal court lawsuit in which Plaintiff was denied boarding privileges because she appeared intoxicated. The Plaintiff claimed she was not intoxicated, but had recently chipped a tooth, leaving it difficult for her to speak clearly, and she claimed to have a blister on her foot, which made it difficult for her to balance. The trial court granted our motion for summary judgment. This published opinion has been cited multiple times and continues to serve as helpful precedent in Florida for air carriers.
In re: International Air Crash Litigation
We have represented several major air carriers throughout the years with accident investigation and litigation arising from the Montreal Convention and Warsaw Convention for aircraft accidents occurring both within and outside the United States.
Practices
- Aviation
- Commercial Litigation
- Labor & Employment
- Mass Torts / Class Action
- Medical Law
- Products Liability
- Transportation
Education
- University of Miami
(B.A., 2004) - Florida International University (J.D., magna cum laude, 2012)
Honors
- Magna Cum Laude – Top 5% of Graduating Class
- FIU Law Trial Team
- FIU Board of Advocates
- FIU Dean’s List Merit Scholar
- Dean’s List Recipient
Credentials
Admitted to Bar
- 2016, U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
- 2014, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
- 2012, The Florida Bar
Professional Affiliations
- The Florida Bar
- Federal Bar Association
- Cuban American Bar Association
- Southern District of Florida’s Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Court-Annexed Mediation
Languages
Spanish
