$8 million awarded in North Miami Beach shooting death

After a weeklong civil trial in Miami-Dade Circuit Court, a jury ruled Friday that the owners and managers of The Arbors apartments should pay $8 million in damages to Starsky Garcia's family for failing to provide adequate security on the property.

Attorneys Douglas McCarron and Michael Haggard of The Haggard Law Firm argued that the property owners, New York-based Maxx Properties, had no security guards or surveillance cameras at The Arbors even as crime in the area increased. The owners also failed to fix a fallen fence and broken security gates that allowed anyone on the property. From 2002 to 2006, police recorded 24 burglaries, nine assaults, three shootings and two robberies at the apartment complex.

After visiting a friend at the complex, Garcia was found dead in The Arbors parking lot at about 4:30 a.m. Dec. 9, 2006. Less than 16 hours later -- and less than half a mile away -- Broward County chiropractor Bradley Timpf was shot and killed in the parking lot of a Houston's restaurant on Biscayne Boulevard. Timpf's murder also is unsolved.

The Haggard Law Firm also represented the Timpf family in a lawsuit alleging that Houston's also had insufficient security on the night Timpf died. The Timpfs reached an out-of-court settlement in September with the parent company of Houston's, the Hillstone Restaurant Group, for an undisclosed sum.

• http://www.nbc6.net/news/18148198/detail.html
• http://cbs4.com/video/?cid=5
• http://www.miamiherald.com/news/miami-dade/story/787823.html

Coral Gables Attorney Michael Haggard Serves as Guest Speaker at the National Crime Victims Bar Association Annual Conference in Washinington, D.C.

Coral Gables, FL (June 24, 2008) – Michael Haggard, partner at the Coral Gables based Haggard Law Firm, recently attended the National Crime Victim Bar Association annual conference in Washington, D.C. presenting on the topic "Destroying the Defense Security Expert."

This interactive and highly demonstrative presentation showed all that goes into attacking, cross-examining and ultimately destroying the credibility and opinions of the Defense Security Expert. This presentation demonstrated to Premises Liability Trial Lawyers how to never let a trial come down to a "battle of the experts." The presentation began with cumulative research on the Defense Expert, Thorough Deposition Strategies and Ultimately the Trial Cross Examination. The use of Prior Testimony, Similar Fact Patterns and Trap Laying were all discussed using real-life examples, cross exams and demonstrative exhibits used with Defense Security Experts from various trials.

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 was sworn in as the 50th 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.

Three Attorneys Named as Top Lawyers in the 2008 South Florida Legal Guide

Wm. Andrew Haggard and Michael A. Haggard both partners of The Haggard Law Firm, were recently named TOP LAWYERS in the 2009 South Florida Legal Guide published by CEO Publishing Group. Attorney Douglas J. McCarron was named a “TOP UP & COMER in South Florida” by the same publication. The firm as a whole was named to the list of Top Law Firms in the publication as well.

The partners of the firm and the firm itself has been listed in the South Florida Legal Guide since its inception in 2000.

Coral Gables Attorney William Andrew "Andy" Haggard Inducted into the Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame

The Florida State University Athletics Hall of Fame and Recognition Committee recently inducted attorney William Andrew “Andy” Haggard for induction into its Hall of Fame as the Moore-Stone Award Recipient. Haggard, who is also a member the Florida State University Board of Trustees is managing partner of Coral Gables-based The Haggard Law Firm.

The Moore-Stone award is named after Dr. Mode Stone and Dr. Coyle Moore and is given to individuals for outstanding service to FSU athletics.

Haggard, whom is an alumnus of Florida State University, has demonstrated his dedication to Florida State University in the past and present by serving as chairman of FSU's College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Council and serving as a trustee on the FSU Foundation Board. Haggard also served as chairman of the board of the National Seminole Boosters.

Haggard, a resident of Coral Gables, has practiced law in South Florida for more than 35 years. Haggard received his Bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1964, and his law degree from Mercer University in 1967.

Coral Gables Attorney Wm. Andrew “Andy” Haggard Serves as Guest Speaker at FJA 2008 Jury Selection Seminar

Wm. Andrew “Andy” Haggard, partner of The Haggard Law Firm, recently served as guest speaker at the Florida Justice Association's Jury Selection Seminar that took place at the Hilton Palm Beach Airport. Haggard addressed trial lawyers from across Florida on the proper ways to select a jury in a premises liability case.

Haggard, a resident of Coral Gables, has practiced law since 1972 to the present in the field of Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Liquor Liability, and Negligent Security and has tried more than 150 jury trials. Haggard was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1967 and served as an Assistant State Attorney in the 11th Judicial Circuit, as well as serving as Chief Prosecutor, Trial Counsel and Military Judge in the Judge Advocate General’s office of the United States Air Force from 1968-1971. Haggard has served as a Commissioner on the Florida Commission on Ethics and is a fellow and state chair of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers.

Haggard received his Bachelor's degree from Florida State University in 1964, and his law degree from Mercer University in 1967. Haggard was recently reappointed by Governor Bush to serve on the FSU Board of Trustees.`