On May 30, 2018, 23 year old Juvon Simon was shot twice through the closed door of a neighbor’s apartment by Florida City Police Officer Frantz Hardy. Simon died as a result of his injuries. The Haggard Law Firm has joined with the Law Firm of Asnis, Srebnick & Kaufman to represent the Simon family. We have jointly filed, on behalf of Simon’s mother, a lawsuit against the Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s office and The City of Florida City.
The intention of the legal filing (a pure bill of discovery) is to make sure the family has access to all evidence that materializes as part of the criminal investigation into the shooting. The family also wants to ensure that the investigation is conducted in a timely manner.
On Wednesday October 31, 2018 at 11 AM, the Simon family will hold a press conference outside of Florida City Hall to discuss the legal filing.
During the press conference family members will be joined by The Haggard Law Firm’s Christopher Marlowe and Dan Kaufman of Asnis, Srebnick & Kaufman to discuss a variety of topics including:
If you are a member of the media interested in attending or learning more, please contact J.P. HERVIS, Senior Publicist, Brandstory Communications 561.995.6560, JP@BrandstoryCommunications.com
Haggard Law Firm partner and trial attorney Christopher Marlowe says one of the elements of a civil trial that he looks forward to the most…is picking a jury.
In this article, The Haggard Law Firm’s Jason Brenner discusses a variety of topics including why trial attorneys should always employ a philosophy that every case should be prepared to go to trial. He says it is a mindset that many trial attorneys don’t employ.
Brenner is part of the team that recently obtained a $12 million verdict in a wrongful death, negligent security case following a 5 day trial (click to learn more about the case). Click here to learn more about the case
To learn more about The Haggard Law Firm‘s Jason Brenner, click here
Entering the legal field with the desire to become a trial attorney is a daunting endeavor. There is only one place where a young lawyer can establish himself or herself as a trial attorney—in the courtroom. Trial practice has almost become a misnomer in today’s world. The firm where I have been privileged to practice is made up of an endangered species of the trial attorney. I revel in the “war stories” about them trying a case on Monday and preparing for the next one on Friday. Nowadays, the majority of time spent in court is in motion practice.
The current status of trial practice creates an interesting conflict for young, aspiring attorneys in their attempt to develop trial skills. In the almost six years I have been practicing, I have been trial support on two civil jury trials and second chair on an additional two. The first trial in which I participated as second chair was a stroke of fortune and an eye-opening experience. Once I was in the courtroom in this role, I understood the purpose and importance of direct and cross-examination, but, most important, I understood the difference between direct and cross-examination in discovery and at trial. The primary focus of this article is to illustrate the principles of direct and cross-examination that have been taught to me.
Continue reading “The Truth about Direct and Cross-Examinations”
Make your plans now to join The Haggard Law Firm‘s Michael Haggard from December 5th to the 7th in Portland, Oregon for the 2017 National Crime Victims Bar Association’s National Conference, Civil Actions for Criminal Acts. Haggard, the organization’s President-elect will be among the speakers during the conference. The event offers attorneys a chance to network and learn from other attorneys in the field, and connect with victim advocates, counselors, program managers, attorneys, social workers, psychologists, researchers, nurses, volunteers, administrators, clergy, nonprofit managers, system-based service providers, and leaders from across the country.
Conference Training Highlights Include:
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with other professionals in the field, or to attend Haggard’s workshop session!
Learn more about Michael Haggard by clicking here
To register, click here: http://victimsofcrime.org/our-programs/national-crime-victim-bar-association/conferences
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reporting that between October 12th and October 15th its agents saved 84 children who were involved in child sex trafficking operations. 120 alleged sex traffickers were arrested in “Operation Cross Country XI” which was conducted across the country.
A 3-month-old girl, the youngest of the victims, was rescued along with a 5-year-old girl, the FBI said. Their suspected trafficker, authorities say, was a friend of the family who had offered an undercover officer sex with the girls for $600. The average age of the rescued victims was 15 years old, according to the FBI.
As part of Operation Cross Country XI, FBI agents and task force officers staged operations in hotels, casinos, and truck stops, as well as on street corners and Internet websites.
“In order to stop this Human Trafficking growing problem, we need commercial businesses where victims are maliciously stored and housed to step up their efforts” says Michael Haggard, Managing Partner of The Haggard Law Firm. Haggard’s Firm has successfully litigated hundreds of cases against apartment complexes, hotels and other commercial business owners for negligent security and/or general premises liability matters that include wrongful death, catastrophic injury and even rape. Haggard believes businesses owners are an important line of defense in fighting the increasing number of human/sex trafficking victims. The numbers prove that to be true.
Continue reading “FBI: In 3 Days, More Than 80 Children Rescued From Human Traffickers”
The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that a law limiting pain-and-suffering damages in medical malpractice cases is unconstitutional, rejecting a controversial change that the Legislature and then-Gov. Jeb Bush approved in 2003.
Justices were divided, with the four-member majority finding that the caps on “non-economic” damages violated equal-protection rights.
The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels reacted to the decision by saying “the Supreme Court decision was an important victory for justice and for Florida’s citizens. For too long, doctors and medical professionals received special protections which allowed them to avoid responsibility for their errors.”
Continue reading “State Supreme Court Strikes Down Malpractice Caps”
The Florida Justice Association’s Annual Convention and Expo will begin on June 14. The Haggard Law Firm’s Todd Michaels will be a guest speaker at this year’s Convention in St Pete Beach.
Michaels says ” It is an honor to speak at the FJA convention. There is no organization that does more for consumers, citizens, and victims in the State of Florida. The annual convention is a place to meet with great lawyers from around the state, and more importantly, to learn and share knowledge.”
Memorial Day weekend is the traditional start, nationally, to the summer swim season. The Haggard Law Firm is committed to sharing any and all information we can to help keep everyone safe in and around bodies of water.
A new report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) shows the number of reported fatal child drownings in swimming pools involving children younger than 5—the most vulnerable population—has decreased 17 percent nationwide since 2010. Despite the decrease, fatal and non-fatal child drownings in pools and spas continue to pose a public health challenge across the United States.
Drowning remains the number 1 cause of death among children under the age of 5 in Florida. Parents and caregivers are reminded to follow