330 Alhambra Circle

Coral Gables, FL 33134

633 S. Andrews Avenue Suite 400
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

(305) 446-5700

(954) 323-4400

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A Message from Michael Haggard ‘Kidney Casino For a Cure’

A Message from Michael Haggard

A lot has changed in a year!!!  As most of you know, I have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) and have been diagnosed since my early 30’s.  It always came as a surprise to someone when I told them I had a genetic, life-threatening and incurable disease because I was fortunate and did not suffer debilitating effects.  My only symptom was inevitable and total renal failure!!!  So a couple of years ago, I went on the over 100,000 person national kidney waiting list…..I had no chance of getting a kidney before going on dialysis!

Due to God’s grace, my prayers were answered and my brother-in-law, Major Allen Buckhalt (US Army Blackhawk Pilot and Iraq/Afghanistan war veteran) was a match!!  Exactly six months ago today, Allen saved my life with the gift of life.  I am 100% back to normal and my kidney function is better than most people…..It is a miracle and really should not be because living donation should be much more common!!  In fact, Allen is not only back to 100%, but unfortunately, he is so healthy, the army is deploying him again to Kuwait in August.  He is my hero and should be yours on so many levels!!!

 

That brings us to this year’s 7TH ANNUAL PKD KIDNEY CASINO FOR A CURE!!!!  This is going to be the best event ever!!!  This year our event will be held on May 5, 2016, from 7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.  This year will be a Cinco de Mayo celebration in celebration of not only my successful transplant but several other special guests who have been given the GIFT OF LIFE!!!!   We are back at the Coral Gables Museum, once again taking over the beautiful Loggia and Terrace spaces. It is going to be a great celebration and fundraiser for a Cure for PKD!!
Bekki and I have funded several PKD research grants over the years, but with your help over the past decade, we have raised an additional $400,000 which has funded multiple PKD research projects!!!  We will find a cure for PKD in my lifetime!!!  I have been given a Second Chance at Life and I will not waste it……I know you will help us with our goal.  Many of you have donated in the past and we desperately need your help again!!!  Please do what you did last year or if you possibly can—-DO EVEN MORE!!!  We want all of you to come to the event, but if you cannot please look at the sponsorship levels and consider being there in spirit with us!!!

 

As most of you also know the curse of this disease is also the blessing!!  It is genetic…….Both Maddie and Carson each have a 50% chance of inheriting this disease……and as you can imagine that “haunts” me each night!  But even if you told me tomorrow Maddie and Carson were in the clear, we would never stop fighting this fight.  All you have to do is see the devastating effects of PKD on families.  I have lost my maternal grandmother, uncle, and mother to this disease and I intend on beating it out of existence!  Because it is genetic we have made advances that have never been accomplished in other disease research—-because we can isolate the Gene!!!!

 

This year’s event will also center around Living Donation!!!  While we will find a cure at some point soon, each person with PKD that has gone too far down the road deserves a healthy life via kidney transplant.  Bekki and I have funded a Living Donor Coordinator position at Tampa General Hospital where I had my kidney transplant operation.  We intend on spreading the word and increasing living donations throughout this Country!!!  Please help us with your attendance at the event and thru financial donations to make this a reality!!!

 

I cannot thank each of you enough for your past support and hope that you will continue to support our efforts this year. If you cannot join us on Friday, May, 5, you can still donate to our cause. NO donation is too small. Checks should be made payable to the PKD Foundation and can be mailed directly to The Haggard Law Firm, 330 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134.  ATTN: Susie Acosta.  The attached document also allows you to RSVP, sponsor a table, purchase tickets or donate directly to the PKD Foundation.  The Kidney Casino Night is live on the PKD Foundation’s website so you can RSVP and register online using a credit card!!

Visit www.pkdcure.org/miami-kidney-casino/ 

 

Thanks again and I really hope to see you on Cinco de Mayo!!!!!!!!!!!

Which Much Appreciation,

Michael A. Haggard

The Haggard Law Firm

ABC Miami Coverage of Rob Stewart Wrongful Death Lawsuit

The Haggard Law Firm has the honor to represent the family of conservationist and award-winning filmmaker Rob Stewart in an effort to seek justice in his death. We hope the wrongful death lawsuit against several parties responsible will help send a message to bad operating dive instructors, boat captains, and dive equipment sales and manufacturing outlets out there to follow the rules and standards or close your business.

 

 

 

 

Media Confernece Announcing Lawsuit in Wrongful Death

MEDIA CONFERENCE: Documentary Filmmaker Rob Stewart’s Death was a ‘Preventable Tragedy,’ Family Filing Lawsuit Tuesday

 

Family Set To Speak During Media Conference Tuesday Morning

 

Coral Gables, Florida – The family of Canadian conservationist and documentary film producer Rob Stewart, whose body was found off the coast of Islamorada on February 3, is filing a lawsuit against several businesses and people involved in his fatal dive. The Stewart family hopes the legal action will push out and/or change the ways of all irresponsibly operating diving businesses and help keep attention on Stewart’s mission of ocean conservation. The family is set to speak at a media conference, to be held Tuesday, March 28 at 10:45 AM at The Haggard Law Firm, 330 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134.

 

Among the defendants in the case is the company Add Helium, which is owned by Peter Sotis, who is also named in the lawsuit. The Ft. Lauderdale-based company was in charge of the dive and sold the equipment utilized by the divers. Sotis has a checkered past. He is a convicted felon, is under investigation for utilizing unapproved Chinese air tanks as detailed in a Miami Herald article (click to read Herald article), and has been accused of selling military-grade scuba equipment to a Libyan militant.

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Andy Haggard: Mercer Law Day Keynote Speaker

 

Last Friday Haggard Law Firm Senior Partner William Andrew Haggard was the Keynote Speaker at the Mercer Law School’s Law Day Celebration. Haggard was also one of the judges for the School’s Hugh Lawson Moot Court Competition which features first-year students and helps expose competitors to moot court practice and procedure before trying out for Mercer’s Nationally recognized Moot Court team.

‘Andy’ Haggard received his J.D. from Mercer Law in 1967. He is a current member of the Mercer University Board of Trustees. To learn more about Mr. Haggard click here to read his bio

The Mercer University Walter F. George School of Law is one of the oldest law schools in the country. The Woodruff Curriculum, Mercer Law School’s model curriculum, focuses on ethics and practical skills. It was honored with the Gambrell Professionalism Award from the American Bar Association for its “depth and excellence” and “obvious commitment to professionalism.”

For more information on the Law Day event Click here: http://law.mercer.edu/about/news/law-day-lawson-2017.cfm#.WNlUWfnyvct

 

 

McCarron Article on Road Construction Cases

The Daily Business Review recently included an article authored by The Haggard Law Firm’s Douglas McCarron in its Board of Contributors series.  The article: Traffic Safety: Navigating The Road Construction Cases, discusses some of the biggest challenges in litigation a road construction case and best practices to reach a successful result.

To read full article:

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VIDEO: Negligent Security & Mass Shootings

 

Has the increased number of mass shootings and victims of these tragedies changed what should be considered adequate security for businesses and properties where large groups of people commonly gather?

Our Michael Haggard discusses the topic in our latest HLF TV installment.

 

Haggard Law Firm CLE Event

On Thursday, April 27TH, The Haggard Law Firm will host Winning Case Strategies in Premises LiabilityThe free seminar, for CLE Credit, will be held at the Hyatt in Coral Gables, Florida.

Please RSVP by contacting Susie Acosta at 305.446.5700 or emailing sacosta@haggardlawfirm.com by April 20th. There is limited space available.

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Haggard Law STLA Presentation

The Haggard Law Firm’s involvement with the Southern Trial Lawyers Association was on full display this past week and over the weekend during the STLA Conference in New Orleans.

Managing Partner, Michael Haggard was a featured presenter at the conference delivering a speech on Security. Our own Christopher Marlowe, a current STLA Board Member attended board meetings and former STLA Warhorse recipient, Andy Haggard was also in attendance at this weekend’s conference.

We are looking forward to next year’s conference!

 

Haggard Law Article on Speedy Trials Published in DBR

Today, Daily Business Review published the Haggard Law Firm attorney Christopher Marlowe‘s article highlighting the importance of pushing for a speedy trial.

 

 

Here is the body of the article by Marlowe:

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VIDEO: The Role of Foreseeability in Negligent Security

The cornerstone of solidifying a negligent security case for a personal injury attorney is proving foreseeability of crime. Michael Haggard of the Haggard Law Firm discusses in this video.