Key West, FL - October 14, 2011 - Recently, partner Michael Haggard spoke at the Southern Trial Lawyers Association (STLA) annual Fall Retreat.  This year the retreat was held in beautiful Key West.  While mixing work and play, Haggard addressed a group of attorneys on the topic "Slicing and Dicing the Defense Expert at Deposition and Trial."

The essential mission of the Southern Trial Lawyers Association is as simple as it is straightforward: To promote fellowship, learning, and networking among trial lawyers throughout the 13 southern states.  For more information about the association, please click here.   

Haggard concentrates his trial practice in personal injury litigation specializing in pool drownings, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Recently, Michael Haggard served as the 50^th President of the Florida Justice Association. Haggard’s other achievements include serving as past president of the Miami-Dade Justice Association as well as serving as a member of the American Association for Justice (Inadequate Security Section) and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Haggard earned his bachelors degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Miami.

Coconut Grove, FL - October 7, 2011 - The Haggard Law Firm was proud to host the 2nd Annual PKD Kidney Casino for a Cure.  The event was held at the Historic Woman's Club of Coconut Grove and raised almost $30,000 for the PKD Foundation. 

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this highly successful event!  We look forward to another fun evening next year.

For photos of the event, please click here.

Miami, FL - October 4, 2011 - Past President of the Miami Dade Justice Association Michael Haggard was honored to speak at the organization's Past Presidents' Seminar Series.  Haggard spoke on the topic "New and Innovative Trial Strategies in Premises Liability Cases."

Due to tort reform in medical malpractice, nursing home and other practice areas, more trial lawyers are turning to the odd ball premises liability case. These not only include slip and falls, but negligent security cases and construction related accidents. However, the defense bar has also had to switch it's focus and is becoming more aggressive than ever in this type of case.

This interactive and highly demonstrative seminar focused on new strategies that counteract the defenses heightened attacks thru true and tried tactics. These strategies have been employed in various trials that have proven successful. Deposition techniques in Negligent Security Cases, Construction Cases and others were highlighted to illustrate how to win the case early in the discovery phase.

Haggard concentrates his trial practice in personal injury litigation specializing in pool drownings, premises liability, negligent security, wrongful death and medical malpractice. Recently, Michael Haggard served as the 50^th President of the Florida Justice Association. Haggard’s other achievements include serving as past president of the Miami-Dade Justice Association as well as serving as a member of the American Association for Justice (Inadequate Security Section) and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Haggard earned his bachelors degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Miami.

Miami, FL - September 25, 2011 - Associate Todd Michaels was a featured guest speaker at the 5th National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims. 

Michaels joined with families from across Miami-Dade County who came together to remember and memorialize loved ones that died at the hands of someone else and whose lives were taken too soon. 

Violent crime is no stranger in Miami-Dade County.  The purpose of such an event is to raise awareness and promote prevention.  The ceremony included the presentation of a plaque at the remembrance tree, inspirational speakers, a Walk of Peace and a candlelight vigil. 

Orlando, FL - September 19, 2011 - Christopher Marlowe, associate at Coral Gables-based The Haggard Law Firm, recently spoke on the topic of negligent security at the ASIS National Security Council Convention in Dallas, Texas. This was his first time speaking at this nationally renowned conference.

Marlowe shared with security professionals how to prevent negligent security incidents from occurring at commercial properties and ultimately deterring legal action.

Founded in 1955, ASIS is dedicated to increasing the effectiveness and productivity of security professionals by developing educational programs and materials that address broad security interests as well as specific security topics.

Marlowe joined The Haggard Law Firm in 2008 and handles a wide array of firm cases including those involving negligent security, pool drowning, auto accident, wrongful death and other personal injury cases.

This is a victory not only for Amanda Slone, but perhaps more importantly for sexual assault victims, as the defense incredulously claimed that Amanda had made up her story of the brutal rape that occurred on September 27, 2008 at Imperial States Mobile Home Park.

"I understand that it was his job to defend his client," Slone said. "But it made me feel horrible, being told I'm a liar, that I made the whole thing up."

For far too long sexual assault victims have had to live with the stigma of guilt, shame and questions about the worst day of their lives.  Unfortunately, Cornerstone and its lawyers tried the same tactic against Amanda Slone. 

Amanda Slone v. Cornerstone Residential Management

VERDICT $1.6 Million - Negligent Security

West Palm Beach, FL (June 21, 2011) - Partner Doug McCarron played an dual role at this year's Florida Justice Association (FJA) Annual Convention held at The Breakers Hotel in West Palm Beach. 

On Wednesday, June 15, McCarron chaired an Evidence Seminar, new to the convention, which brought clarity and practical applications regarding evidence.  During the half-day seminar, he also spoke on the topic "Keeping Highly Prejudicial and Irrelevant Evidence of Alcohol and Drugs Out of the Courtroom."

That evening, McCarron represented The Haggard Law Firm as it and Leopold~Kuvin hosted the first annual Speakers Dinner at Bice Restaurant. 

On Thursday, June 16, McCarron also served as Program Chair for the Trial Skills Seminar.  The popular seminar provided a variety of CLE topics to help attorneys get up-to-date and also provided information from experienced attorneys in the areas of jury selection, insurance bad faith and medical malpractice.

The Haggard Law Firm is a long time supporter of the Florida Justice Association.  Michael Haggard was President of the organization two years ago. The Florida Justice Association, formerly the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (AFTL), is dedicated to strengthening and upholding Florida's civil justice system and protecting the rights of Florida's citizens and consumers.

The rigorous selection process executes a system of balloting, peer recognition and internal research to select the most qualified candidates.  Only 5 percent of the total lawyers in Florida are listed in Super Lawyers. 

The Haggard Law Firm is a plaintiff's trial firm based in Coral Gables, Florida. The firm handles serious injury, death and tort cases in the United States, the Caribbean, the Americas, and other international jurisdictions. The firm's work has earned them recognition among its peers and the judiciary as one of the most highly regarded personal injury law firms nationwide. The partners have won both national and international recognition for their achievements in some of the most challenging cases of our time, including those dealing with major airline disasters, swimming pool drowning negligence and most recently negligent security.

Fort Lauderdale, FL (May 27, 2011) – Michael Haggard, partner at The Haggard Law Firm, was recently elected to the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) Advisory Council. Haggard hopes to assist the NDPA in becoming the premier drowning prevention education organization in the United States and also increase its base membership while serving on the Council. 

The NDPA was formed in 2004 to maximize efforts to prevent drowning through the development and implementation of strategies to facilitate and improve education, public awareness, effective barrier codes and greater utilization of layers of protection. This tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) national organization is comprised of individuals, organizations, government agency representatives, policymakers and corporations who have the common goal of saving lives. Affiliated members and programs share "the best of the best" with other members so that successful efforts can be replicated nationwide, with a goal of reducing drowning in swimming pools, open bodies of water and household products such as tubs and buckets.

Haggard concentrates his trial practice in personal injury litigation specializing in pool drownings, premises liability, negligent security, and wrongful death.  In 2009, Michael Haggard served as President of the Florida Justice Association. Haggard is annually recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer, a Florida Trend Legal Elite Lawyer and one of the Best Lawyers in America. He has also twice been recognized by the Daily Business Review as a Most Effective Lawyer. Haggard earned his bachelors degree from Florida State University and his law degree from the University of Miami.