Attorneys: Brandon M. Nichols, Hunter Hatley

Naples Partner Brandon Nichols and Associate Hunter Hatley recently prevailed in a breach of contract trial in Collier County, Florida.

This case was a landlord/tenant dispute in which we represented the tenants. Our clients sought to recover a $10,000 security deposit and errantly charged utility payments from their landlord after the termination of their residential lease agreement. The defendant landlord filed a counterclaim alleging that our clients were responsible for the disappearance from the premises of a French oil painting with an appraised value of $11,000.

After a day and a half bench trial, our clients were awarded the full amount of their security deposit and $879 for errantly charged utility payments. The Court also determined our clients were not responsible for the disappearance of the missing painting, and that they are entitled to recover attorney fees and costs.

Congratulations Brandon and Hunter on this excellent work.

Attorneys: Carlos “Charlie” Garcia, Michelle A. Juarez

Fort Lauderdale Partner Charlie Garcia and Associate Michelle Juarez recently obtained a complete jury verdict in a commercial matter tried in Broward County, Florida.

This case arose from a business dispute in which an HOA sued our client, its former property manager, for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty. The disagreement was over several hundreds of thousands of dollars in services invoiced by the property manager to the prior HOA board, which the HOA argued was improper and unsupported. The situation was complicated by issues with record keeping, conflicting reports as to whether the original records existed, and whether the previous board had actually approved the property manager’s actions.

After a five-day trial, the jury entered a verdict in our favor on all counts, including our counterclaim for breach of contract, which includes a prevailing party fee provision.

Congratulations Charlie, Michelle, and the team for this great result on behalf of our client.

Attorneys: Jordan S. Cohen, Michelle A. Juarez

Fort Lauderdale Partner Jordan Cohen and Associate Michelle Juarez recently prevailed in a commercial litigation trial in Sarasota County, Florida.

We represented the Plaintiff in this dispute between three high-net-worth individuals over the sale and use of a 15-passenger jet. Although the contract was partially performed in 2023, our client contended it was breached in 2024, and suit was filed thereafter. The defendants denied and aggressively defended all claims, including service of a small proposal for settlement.

At the end of the two-day trial the jury returned a verdict in our client’s favor, awarding nearly double the amount of our last pre-trial demand.

Congratulations Jordan and Michelle on this excellent work.

Attorneys: Jordan S. Cohen, Ethan Arthur

Fort Lauderdale Partners, Jordan Cohen, and Tampa Partner, Ethan Arthur, recently prevailed in a contested foreign judgment domestication proceeding that was heard by the Florida Third District Court of Appeal.

We represented Dantzler Inc,. f/k/a Dantzler Lumber and Export Co, a Miami based distributor of lumber and logistics provider. This case has its roots in a shipment of lumber that was delivered to the wrong port in Mexico in 2001. Plaintiffs side litigation against the shipper was previously successfully resolved. In the interim, the lumber supplier, FV de Araujo, filed a collection action against Dantzler in Brazil. Dantzler’s registered agent failed to respond and an adverse Order was entered in Brazil in 2004.

Seventeen years later, FV de Araujo sought to enforce that Order as a Judgment against Dantzler in Florida pursuant to Florida’s Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act. By this date, the Brazilian award had ballooned to R$2.5 million BRL ($622,217.29 USD). Multiple hearings were held in the trial court as to whether the Order was a “Final Judgment” under the Act and/or whether it could be enforced in comity. The trial court dismissed the Complaint with prejudice and FV de Araujo filed an appeal.

Following oral argument, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the dismissal on all grounds. This opinion represents the most fulsome analysis of Florida’s Act, with possible broad application across all sister states that have adopted similar Recognition Acts.