Thomas (T.J.) Ferrante

After the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida granted partial summary judgment in his client’s favor, Jason Goldman, Co-Managing Partner of Davis Goldman, successfully negotiated a settlement for his client who previously served as the Chief Financial Officer of NextPlat Corp (Nasdaq: NXPL), requiring NextPlat to pay $750,000, inclusive of the former CFO’s attorney’s fees. NextPlat filed a lawsuit for damages against its former CFO for allegedly bypassing the company’s wire transfer procedures. Jason brought a counterclaim against NextPlat on behalf of the former CFO. As part of the settlement, the parties agreed to dismiss their competing claims with prejudice. In late October 2024, NextPlat publicly disclosed the settlement amount in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. #FloridaLawFirm #LegalNews #FloridaLawyers #Settlement

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Henner & Scarbrough LLP is pleased to report a recent judgment on behalf of a client in Florida federal court after 3 years of litigation and a 10-day bench trial handled by Joe Henner and Christopher Olsen. On July 26, after resolving the parties’ disputes over pre-judgment interest, the Court entered judgment in our client’s favor for $36.2 million, including $5.8 million in pre-judgment interest. The Court’s opinion is available here: https://lnkd.in/eGubkykX   The lawsuit, filed in January 2021, featured a dispute between joint venture partners over the responsibility to pay working capital calls and losses arising out of the joint venture’s construction of a $3 billion highway improvement project in Orlando. We intervened on our client’s behalf in August 2021 to assert counterclaims against one of the partners and its parent company. After prevailing on liability on cross-motions for summary judgment, the Court held a bench trial on damages and awarded our client 100% of the principal amount sought at trial, plus an additional $5.8 million in pre-judgment interest. Post-judgment motions for attorneys’ fees are pending before the Court.   The case is captioned The Lane Construction Corporation v. Skanska USA Civil Southeast, Inc., et al., 6:21-cv-164-RBD-DCI (M.D. Fla.), and the judgment remains subject to appeal. Past results are not a guarantee of results in future matters, and the outcome of a particular case or matter cannot be predicated upon a lawyer’s or our firm’s past results.

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We are excited to share the latest article that our talented Attorney Serena Fichera, Esq. has written for the Business Law Section of the Florida Bar Don't miss it! 🙌 Giacomo Bossa Brian Barakat Clara Salvai Jocelyne A. Macelloni #LegalInsights #BusinessLaw #FloridaBar #MinorityShareholders #LegalRights #BarakatBossa #AttorneyInsights #ShareholderExits #FloridaLaw #LegalExpert #LawArticles #LegalAdvice #B2B

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The latest Tax Section e-newsletter is just out: Section news, upcoming CLE (some free), Tampa Tax Section luncheons, new rules on attorneys' use of fictitious names, 2025 National Tax Moot Court Competition, mental health and wellness resources, and more. Check it out!

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While divorce marks the end of one chapter of your life, it also brings the beginning of another. At C. Alvarez Law, our compassionate Florida family law attorneys understand the emotional and financial impact of separation. We’re here to provide the support and guidance you need. Schedule your strategy session today. https://ow.ly/tVFJ50UnTz7 #CAlvarezLaw #CentralFlorida #Divorce #Separation #DivorceServices #FloridaDivorce #LegalServices #LegalRepresentation #FamilyLawMatters #FamilyLaw #FamilyLawyer #Law #LawFirm

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Congratulations to firm partner, Laura Prather, for her recognition in the 2024 Florida Trend Legal Elite NOTABLE – Labor & Employment special section. The section features 50 outstanding attorneys who specialize in the complex landscape of workplace laws and regulations. To read Laura's profile, visit: https://lnkd.in/gP6gVV54 #floridatrend #laborlaw #employmentlaw #laborandemployment #employers

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WSHC+B partners Matt Mandel and Edward Guedes recently represented multiple Florida counties before the Florida Supreme Court in a case involving insufficient notice for a $5 billion bond validation hearing.  The Florida counties and tax collectors petitioned the Florida Supreme Court to modify a 2022 $5 billion bond validation judgment issued in favor of the Florida PACE Funding Agency. The petitioners argued the trial court exceeded its jurisdiction and that they were not given proper notice of the bond validation hearing, which they claim left the vast majority of Florida counties unaware of the proceedings. The petitioners relied on Florida Rule of Civil Procedure 1.540(b), arguing that it allows for relief from a final judgment in cases of voidness, mistake, newly discovered evidence, or fraud. WSHC+B's experience in public finance and bond validation positions the firm as a key player in navigating these challenges. Their involvement in earlier PACE bond validations has set important precedents, contributing to the legal framework that governs these programs today. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e82-KUsT #WSHCBLaw #FloridaPACE #FloridaSupremeCourt

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🚨Verdict Alert🚨--> Tampa-Hub Partner, Jeremy Jacobs and Associate, Terran Winegeart successfully showcased the daycare's adherence to regulatory standards and reasonable supervision practices, discrediting the plaintiff's allegations of negligence and securing a rapid jury verdict in favor of the defendant.   At QPWB, we not only represent the truth, but we advocate for it, always ready to challenge and diligently pursue justice. Jeremy and Terran's proven determination and ability to navigate and succeed in complex legal battles showcase their skill in premises liability and negligent supervision within personal injury law. They not only expose and challenge biases within the legal system but also ensure a just outcome despite initial obstacles, making a meaningful difference in favor of our clients and setting a precedent that protects their pursuit of justice.    Read the full posting on our site to discover how the QPWB difference can significantly impact complex cases in premises liability and negligent supervision within personal injury law and beyond.   Read the Full Verdict Alert here: https://lnkd.in/e-bDQzTS   Learn more about Jeremy Jacobs here: https://lnkd.in/eyQac2xv Learn more about Terran Winegeart here: https://lnkd.in/eumvXqPV   #QPWBdifferent #QPWBattorney #PremisesLiability #NegligentSupervision #PersonalInjuryLaw #ChildcareLaw #DefenseVictory #LegalDefense #TrialSuccess #JuryVerdict

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📢The CPR 2025 Annual Meeting 2025 is approaching quickly and registration is open! Join us in Miami on February 5-7 for our annual conference, which convenes in-house counsel, law firm practitioners, experienced neutrals and all professionals invested in commercial dispute management to explore critical topics and issues.   The panel “Crisis Management ADR: Mediating the Existential Conflict” is an example of the Annual Meeting’s substantive content.   Crisis management is a major concern of companies today, and the corporate legal department is inevitably and sometimes centrally involved when a crisis hits – think of climate catastrophes, water contamination, mass torts, and more. Mediation, arbitration, and other forms of ADR can be key in the planning for, prevention of, and dealing with corporate crisis management that can, if poorly executed, pose an existential threat to the company. This panel will share their experience and expertise on these issues – crisis management from an ADR perspective – based on recent corporate and governmental crises.   Speakers: - Eric Green, CPR Distinguished Neutral - Professor Herman B. “Dutch” Leonard,  Harvard University - Bill Dodero, General Counsel and EVP, Bayer - Jana Litsey, former General Counsel, Huntington Bancshares - JAMES DONALD SMITH, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel, Ecolab - Fouad Kurdi, Mediator, Resolutions LLC - Dr. Josh Green, Governor of Hawaii ➡️ Learn more and register today at cprmeeting.org.   We are very grateful to the Chairs of the Annual Meeting 2025 Steering Committee, Effie D. Silva of Fresh Del Monte and Philip Greenberg of Veru Inc., as well as the generous sponsors that make this event possible: DLA Piper, King & Spalding, Microsoft, Williams & Connolly LLP, Arnold & Porter, ConocoPhillips, White & Case LLP, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, Cardozo School of Law, University of Florida - Fredric G. Levin College of Law With Serena Lee, Helena Tavares Erickson #LessConflictMorePurpose #AnnualMeeting #CPRAM25 #Miami #Arbitration #ADR #InternationalArbitration #Mediation #BusinessLaw

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APPEALS COURT SAYS FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL CANNOT PREVENT OPIOID SUITS FROM HOSPITAL DISTRICTS OR SCHOOL BOARDS   Recently, a three-judge panel of Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeals ruled that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody could not prevent opioid-epidemic lawsuits filed by hospital districts and school boards after she reached settlements with the pharmaceutical industry.    The panel overturned a 2023 decision by Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper, and found in favor of several local hospitals and school boards that had sued drug distributors, manufacturers or pharmacies to recover costs related to treating patients and educating children affected by the opioid epidemic.    Moody’s office entered into seven settlements with a variety of companies — with each of the settlements including a “release” of claims filed by local governments.    In a 2022 lawsuit against the hospital districts and school boards, Moody’s office argued the settlements would provide money for opioid treatment, prevention and recovery services and that money would go to communities throughout the state. But the hospital districts and school board argued that Moody did not have the authority to release their claims. https://lnkd.in/eXwBpNBj #legalnews #legalupdates #legal #lawyer #lawyers #attorney #attorneys #tampalawyer #tampalawyers

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C. Michelle Chen, Partner in S&C’s Financial Services Group, Matthew Schwartz, Partner in S&C’s Litigation Group, and Leanne Van Allen, Associate in S&C’s Financial Services Group, co-authored an article for Law360 providing background on the fair access laws adopted by Florida and Tennessee and implications these laws may have on the business operations of financial institutions. The authors note that similar bills are also being considered by eight additional conservative-leaning states. Read the article: https://lnkd.in/eUU3h8tZ Learn more: https://lnkd.in/etjxB_q4

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Lowenstein’s Scott McBride and Mikayla Berliner examine a groundbreaking ruling by a Florida District Court that deems the qui tam provisions of the False Claims Act unconstitutional, potentially reshaping the landscape of whistleblower litigation. Read more about the implications for future cases in today’s White Collar Defense client alert. Read the full alert: https://bit.ly/3Yr29sQ #whitecollar #whistleblower #litigation #lawyers #criminallaw #criminaldefense

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📢 Sass Law Firm’s Janet E. Wise to Speak at The Florida Bar's Annual Labor & Employment Law Update Attorney Janet E. Wise is scheduled to speak at The Florida Bar’s 25th Annual Labor and Employment Law Update and Certification Review in Tampa, Florida. 🗓 Event Details: When: January 16, 2025 Topic: EEO Substantive Discrimination Claims Time: 10:15–11:05 a.m. This presentation will cover key issues in substantive discrimination claims under equal employment opportunity (EEO) laws, providing valuable insights for labor and employment law practitioners. #SassLawFirm #EmploymentLaw #LaborLawUpdate #TampaAttorney #EEODiscrimination #FLBarEvent #TampaEmploymentLaw #EmploymentLawTampa #FloridaBar

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Legal professionals, are you aware that your law firm website must be ADA website compliant? The LawBARD podcast recently featured an important episode with South Florida Attorney and Mediator Brenda Pagliaro of MediationWorks, alongside LawBARD's Co-founder and Tech Guru Todd Blackmon, and LawBARD’s President and Podcast Host Kim Sailer. This installment tackles a crucial topic for law firms: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance. Brenda, Todd and Kim delve into: 🔹 The intersection of WCAG and ADA in the digital legal landscape 🔹 Common compliance pitfalls for law firm websites 🔹 Practical steps to enhance your firm's online accessibility 🔹 The legal and ethical implications of non-compliance Whether you're an attorney, paralegal, or law firm marketer, this episode provides invaluable insights to achieve compliance, avoid litigation risks, and ultimately make your legal expertise accessible to all. Tune in now to equip yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate WCAG and ADA compliance. Click the below link to listen and stay tuned for more expert discussions on the LawBard podcast, your go-to resource for navigating the intricacies of successful law firm marketing: https://lnkd.in/dGkWFT-e

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The Legal Intelligencer recently published Jon Cochran’s article “De-Mystifying the Ethics of the Attorney Transition Process, Part 1.” January and February are peak season for attorney lateral moves. Too often, we see what happens when transitions go wrong, with resulting fights over representations and corresponding harm to both the attorney and the firm. Part 1 of Jon’s multi-article series offers rules on how to balance competing obligations, including, most importantly, obligations to clients, and concrete tips to help attorneys and their firms navigate the transition process ethically.

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