Wicker Smith

The 2024 Summer Olympics officially kick off in Paris today, and to celebrate, we'll be sharing inspiring stories of our team members throughout the firm who balance their demanding legal careers with a passion for sports. Leading us off is Tampa partner Chris Cazin. Chris is a lifelong tennis player who regularly plays in USTA-sanctioned tournaments in the Tampa Bay and Central Florida area. He is ranked #2 in Florida and #12 in the Nation in the NTRP 4.5 Division, ages 40 and older. In February, Chris was the runner-up in the Golden Ticket to Nationals Singles Sectional Championships in Tampa, and in April, he represented the State of Florida at the USTA National Championships NTRP 4.5 Division in Surprise, Arizona. Stay tuned throughout the Paris Olympics, and join us in celebrating our team's impressive achievements both inside and outside the courtroom!

Congratulations to Naples partner, Drew Vogt, who recently argued Motions for Summary Judgment in two separate matters on the same day in Lee County, Florida, and won them both.   In the first case, a slip and fall case on behalf of Publix Supermarkets, evidence showed that Plaintiff walked over the incident area three times in a matter of moments before slipping and falling on his fourth pass. We argued that Plaintiff was unable to meet his burden of proof in establishing actual or constructive notice of a potentially dangerous condition. The Court agreed, and summary judgment was granted.   In the second case, on behalf of a small locally owned grocery carry-out, Plaintiff alleged that we were negligent in failing to warn of a potential hazard and failing to maintain the premises after he successfully ascended a handicapped curb ramp, but fell off the top of the sidewalk when he went to reach for a shopping cart that was allegedly heading his direction. We argued that there was no duty to warn of the curb ramp or sidewalk, as they were open and obvious conditions, and further argued that there was no evidence the curb ramp or sidewalk were in disrepair or in violation of any applicable code provisions that would enable the Plaintiff to establish our client was negligent in failing to maintain the premises. The Court agreed, and summary judgment was granted.   Drew’s co-counsel in the first case was Of Counsel Jamie Ringhofer, and in the second case his co-counsel was Associate Matthew Lynch. Congrats to all on a job well done.  

There's one weekend left until the bar exam, and we are thinking about all of our past summer associates who will be prepping right down to the wire. Some of our partners wanted to provide some last minute tips and tricks to help you through the home stretch - So take a quick study break, turn on your speakers, and know that we are all pulling for you and can't wait to hear your results! Special thanks Jessica Prince, James Foster, Michael D'Lugo, Jason Hull, Taylor McLeod, Traci Glickman, Jeffrey Goodman, Rick Ramsey, Kurt Spengler, Chris Brown, and Patrick Mixson for the great advice!

Issue 10 of Defending Your Future is out now! This month's issue includes: ▶ A ruling affirmed by the Florida Third District Court of Appeal involving Florida's Uniform Out-of-Country Foreign Money-Judgment Recognition Act. ▶ A defense verdict in a $4 million trucking case in Orange County, Florida. ▶ Summary judgment in a workplace injury case in Polk County, Florida. And much more! Check it out and make sure you are subscribed below!

Fort Lauderdale Partner, 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.   Congratulations, Jordan and Ethan, on this excellent outcome.

Congratulations to Orlando Partner, Patrick Mixson, and Associate, Jacqueline Bourdon, on obtaining summary judgment for Publix Super Markets in a premises liability case in Volusia County, Florida. The Plaintiff claimed that she slipped and fell in the produce department of a Publix store. She alleged that she sustained injuries to her knee, requiring arthroscopic surgery, and lower back, attributing approximately $200,000 of medical bills to the incident.   Though the Plaintiff testified in her deposition that she believed she slipped on brown, slimy lettuce, the Court found that her testimony was inconsistent with the store camera video and that there was no evidence that the Plaintiff actually slipped on a transitory foreign substance. The Court granted summary judgment in Publix’s favor. As a result, Publix will be entitled to recovery of attorney’s fees and costs, in light of a previous Proposal for Settlement.   Congratulations Patrick and Jacqueline on this excellent result. 

☀ We are halfway through summer already and wondering where the time has gone! ✔ Throughout the firm, our teams have been keeping busy with trials, trainings, speaking engagements, philanthropy projects, client conferences, social events, office expansions and anniversaries, and more! 🔥 Here's a quick look back at our summer so far, from Atlanta to Miami and everywhere in between. ✔ Interested in joining our growing team? ➡ Check out all of our available positions at https://lnkd.in/eVtBJvHZ

Have a safe and happy Fourth of July from all of us at Wicker Smith!

Join our winning team this summer. View all available positions at www.wickersmith.com.

Wicker Smith is pleased to announce that Tampa Partner, David Wynne, is now a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. David's clients have always appreciated his creative problem solving and his ability to bring parties together to resolve a case, and he is excited to bring those same skills to his professional mediation practice. David is available to mediate commercial litigation, general liability, and personal injury matters throughout the State of Florida starting July 1. For inquiries or to schedule, email David directly at dwynne@wickersmith.com.