The Haggard Law Firm Hosts 2nd Annual PKD Kidney Casino for a Cure

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.

Michael Haggard Speaks at Past Presidents' Seminar Series for Miami Dade Justice Association

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.

Todd Michaels Guest Speaker at National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims

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. 

Christopher Marlowe Featured as Guest Speaker at ASIS Convention

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.

Haggard Law Firm Obtains $1.6 Million Verdict

The Haggard Law Firm's team recently won an incredibly hard fought battle for sexual assault victim, Amanda Slone, when a Broward County jury returned a verdict on Thursday, June 23, for $1.6 million after three weeks of trial.  This is an incredible journey where defendant Cornerstone Residential Management, which is one of the largest commercial property management companies in the country, brutally attacked Amanda Slone's story and her family's background in trying to secure a court victory.  During the discovery phase of the case over 37 depositions were taken across several states.

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

   

It was 5:00 am when Amanda was awoken by the sight of the assailant's handgun. The assailant demanded Amanda's money and that no noise be made or she and her Grandfather, who was sleeping in the other room, would be executed. After informing the assailant she had no money, the assailant violently grabbed Amanda, continued to point the pistol at her body, and dragged her out of the trailer's back door.

The assailant commanded Amanda at gunpoint to walk North, away from the trailer. Amanda walked through the Imperial Estates Mobile Home Park while the assailant continued to point his handgun directly at her back. After walking one and a half blocks in search for the perfect area to commit his heinous criminal deed, the assailant chose a dark wooded area on the Imperial Estates property and sexually assaulted her.

The Imperial Estates Mobile Home Park, from which Amanda Slone was abducted and raped, was dangerous. There was at least one stabbing, a shooting, another attempted sexual assault, and an attempted abduction of a young girl from her bicycle, all within a few years leading up to Amanda Slone's assault. The police have testified that this was the most troublesome property within their patrol route.

The defense retained former FBI Agent, Greg McCrary, as a Security expert. Unfortunately, Mr. McCrary went further than giving an Opinion that the Defendants had Adequate Security. Mr. McCrary actually changed his Opinion at trial and testified that he felt a Crime did not occur. Thankfully, the jury rejected Mr. McCrary's new testimony. Throughout the case, the Defendant maintained that it owed no duty to Amanda Slone whatsoever, relying upon the Florida Mobile Home Act for this argument. Despite the well settled nature of this issue, the Defendant insisted in its court filings that the 4^th District Court of Appeals "law clerks [failed] to undertake the same basic legal research" as the Defendant.

Hopefully, this Verdict will compensate Amanda Slone for the horrific experience that she went through on September 27, 2008, and continues till this day. It is also the hope of The Haggard Law Firm that this Verdict and others like it will empower Sexual Assault Victims in their daily battles with the Stigma that society and unscrupulous Corporations and their agents continue to label upon them.

The Haggard Law Firm team was lead by attorney Christopher Marlowe along with co-counsel Michael Haggard.  Attorney Jason Brenner and legal assistant Nory Lopez also assisted with the case and trial.