Ron graduated from the University of Miami receiving his B.A. in 1963 and his J.D., cum laude in 1966. His Law School Honors include, Phi Kappa Phi; Omicron Delta Kappa; and the Society of Wig and Robe. He served as Assistant Editor of the University of Miami Law Review, 1965-1966; and President of the Student Bar Association from 1995-1996. Ron is a Charter Member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Miami Chapter. Ron was a JAG in the United States Air Force, serving as a Captain from 1967-1972. Ron has served on the following Florida Bar Committees: Judicial Procedures Committee 1999-2003; Civil Procedure Rules Committee 2003; Military Affairs Committee 2011.
Ron focuses his expertise in the following areas
Key Practice Areas
- Premises Liability
- Negligent Security
- Catastrophic Injury / Wrongful Death
- Slip and Fall Claims
- Construction Claims & Disputes
- Professional Negligence / Architect, Engineer and Accountant Liability
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Claims
- Attorney / Legal Malpractice
- Vehicular Negligence / UM Claims
- Transportation / Trucking Claims
- Product Liability Claims
- Employment Claims
- Sexual Abuse Claims
- Landlord Tenant Litigation
- ADA and Fair Housing Claims
- PIP Claims
- SIU Fraud Claims
- Property Claims
- Carrier Representation & Coverage Disputes
- Bad Faith and Extra-Contractual Liability
Recent Cases
- Defended a security company against allegations of negligent security and fraud said to have resulted in the theft of over $3,000,000 worth of jewelry. Plaintiff claimed damages and interest totaling over $4,000,000. The case was tried to verdict over nearly three weeks and our client was found not negligent. The case was complicated by multiple parties and the plaintiff’s allegations the insurers had conspired to defeat coverage and the claim. The case was vigorously litigated and settled prior to an appeal by the plaintiff’s counsel. Our client paid nothing and was entitled to attorney’s fees as a result of an offer of judgment served on the plaintiff.
- Won a Summary Judgment in a premises case involving allegations of negligent security against an apartment house owner after plaintiff was brutally beaten with a claw hammer and left for dead. She is a paraplegic. After a hard fought discovery process, the court granted a summary judgment in our favor based on the plaintiff’s status on the property. The Third District Court of Appeal affirmed the summary judgment.
- Defended an alarm company in a wrongful death suit against multiple parties. One plaintiff died and another was left with permanent brain damage after being poisoned by carbon monoxide at a high profile hotel in Key West due to a boiler malfunction. The boiler emitted carbon monoxide which seeped into the plaintiff’s hotel room. Our client, one of 12 defendants in this case, installed the fire alarms in the hotel. The plaintiff’s main allegation against our client was that the alarm panel was improperly labeled and therefore when the smoke detectors activated the hotel personnel could not pinpoint where the smoke was originating. The trial in this case was estimated to last 6 weeks due to the number of witnesses and experts that were expected to testify. The plaintiffs, represented by one of the most successful plaintiff’s firms in Florida, demanded $50,000,000. The case settled for confidential amount that we believe was in the eight figures. We obtained a settlement on behalf of our client for a very small portion of the total settlement amount.
- Defended a contractor following an accident at a high rise construction site. Our client was hired to do iron work on that site. The insured’s employees were working on the 43rd floor when “C”-clamp fell off the 43rd floor and struck and killed the plaintiff who was working on the first floor. Ron filed a Motion for Summary Judgment on workers compensation immunity and the case ultimately settled as there was an issue as to whether there was gross negligence on the part of the insured’s employees.
- He is currently defending a condominium association in the Complex Business Division of Miami Dade County against plaintiff’s allegations the condominium association improperly refused to permit construction on a luxury waterfront penthouse unit, as well as claims for water penetration into the unit and damage to the railings. The Plaintiff is also alleging loss of rents as a result. The Complaint is unique as it is seeking to impose liability on individual board members through six counts involving breach of obligations under the declaration of condominium, breach of obligations under the Florida condominium statute, negligence, and breach of fiduciary duties.
Memberships and Admissions
- Florida Bar 1966
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida
- United States Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit
- United States Court of Military Appeals
- United States Supreme Court
- Dade County Bar Association
- Dade County Defense Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Inc.
- American Board of Trail Advocates
- Certified Mediator
Education
- JD Cum Laude, University of Miami, 1966
- BA, University of Miami, 1963
Representative Appellate Opinions
- Kenley v. Inwood Property Investments, Inc., 931 So.2d 1053 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006)
- Subileau v. Southern Forming, Inc., 664 So.2d 11 (Fla. 3d DCA 1995)
- Preferred Mut. Ins. Co. v. Martinez, 643 So.2d 1101 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994)
- Kranz v. Lewis, 630 So.2d 235 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994)
- Zuckerman v. Alex Hofrichter, P.A., 630 So.2d 210 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993)
- Capello v. Flea Market U.S.A., Inc., 625 So.2d 474 (Fla. 3d DCA 1993)
- Lewis v. Kranz, 599 So.2d 253 (Fla. 3d DCA 1992)
- Grogan v. Platt, 935 F.2d 844 (11th Cir. 1988)
- State Farm Fire and Cas. Co. v. Feminine Fashions, Inc., 509 So.2d 376 (Fla. 3d DCA 1987)
- American Risk Assur. Co. v. Benrube, 407 So.2d 993 (Fla. 3d DCA 1981)
- Bieley v. Bieley, 398 So.2d 932 (Fla. 3d DCA 1981)
- Sandron Corp. v. Utica Mut. Ins. Co., 360 So.2d 477 (Fla. 3d DCA 1978)
- Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. v. Nall, 302 So.2d 781 (Fla. 3d DCA 1974)
- State Farm Mut. Ins. Co. v. Barczak, 296 So.2d 493 (Fla. 3d DCA 1974)
- Central Nat. Ins. Co. v. Gonzalez, 295 So.2d 694 (Fla. 3d DCA 1974)
- Continental Ins. Co. v. Employers’ Fire Ins. Co., 292 So.2d 413 (Fla. 2d DCA 1974)
