2018 Super Lawyers: All Haggard Law Attorneys Named to List

Once again, all Haggard Law Attorneys have been named to the latest edition of Super Lawyers. The 2018 list was released earlier this week.

Trial lawyers Andy Haggard, Michael Haggard , Douglas McCarron, Todd Michaels, Christopher Marlowe, Jason Brenner and Pedro Echarte are listed in the Personal Injury General: Plaintiff Category.

Our Appellate Attorney James Blecke was 1 of only 6 attorneys in Florida included on the Appellate List.

 

About Super Lawyers

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Haggards Part of Legal Organization Supporting Assault Weapons Ban

 

The International Academy of Trial Lawyers has announced it is supporting assault weapons. The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard and Senior Partner Andy Haggard are both members of this renowned legal organization. Michael is currently on the Board of Directors and Admissions Committee Board Member.

IATL is an international legal association both in spirit and membership. The Academy limits Fellowship to 500 active trial lawyers from the United States and includes over 150 Fellows from nearly 40 countries across the globe.

Fellowship in the Academy is by invitation only, and trial lawyers become Fellows only after an extremely rigorous vetting process, which includes both peer and judicial review. The Academy seeks out Fellows who have achieved a career of excellence as shown by their skills in trial, and as demonstrated by their integrity and professionalism. Members are often heavily involved in pro bono efforts and contribute generously of their time and resources to their local communities.

The organization sent out the following news release on the day of the March for our Lives protests around the country:

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janel Fick, Executive Director
info@iatl.net

Elite legal organization backs assault weapon ban, student protests

Austin, Texas, March 24, 2018 –  The International Academy of Trial Lawyers this week adopted a resolution supporting an assault weapons ban and endorsing protests aimed at ending gun violence in communities and schools.

The Academy’s board unanimously approved the resolution March 21, citing its interest in maintaining a civil society. The resolution said:

We, as an Academy, believe all assault weapons and high capacity magazines should be banned. The Academy also gives its undisputed support for the protests going on around the United States, including the March for Our Lives events, which demand that safety become a priority and that we end gun violence in our schools and communities.

The Academy, chartered in 1954, is an organization of elite lawyers nominated and selected based on their demonstrated skill and ability in jury trials and other court proceedings. The organization promotes professional excellence, legal reforms, and integrity in the legal profession.

 

The Role Crime Statistics Play In a Negligent Security Case

 

by Jason Brenner, Associate at The Haggard Law Firm

Although each negligent security case may bring about different facts or require ingenuity with your strategy, there are certain elements of your case that remain constant.  One of those elements is crime statistics.  The importance of crime statistics in your case cannot be stated enough.  Not only do these statistics help establish notice and foreseeability to the defendants, they are also a treasure trove of information.

With respect to notice and foreseeability, your crime statistics establish what the defendants “knew or should have known” prior to and at the time of subject incident.  So what should you request?  You begin by requesting the calls for service and all police reports for the subject property.  This needs to be done in one request.  From there, depending on your jurisdiction, you will order up to a mile radius for the calls for service.  Once you receive each respective request, you must synthesize the data.  For example, you will detail the violent and non-violent crimes and their frequency on the property.  This provides a picture of what type of crime was going on at the property.  It provides you with the ability to illustrate to the jury the level of crime occurring and can be used effectively to show that it is an improbability for a defendant to be unaware of the police being called to the property.

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VIDEO: Why Do You Enjoy Picking a Jury

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.

 

The Truth about Direct and Cross-Examinations

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

The Truth I Never Knew about Direct and Cross-Examinations

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.

FOR A FREE CONSULTATION, CLICK HERE

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NCVBA National Conference – Civil Actions for Criminal Acts

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:

  • 15 workshops and four plenary sessions covering topics such as violence against women, campus crimes, elder abuse, victims with disabilities, underserved populations, children and youth, and many more;
  • Option to obtain Continuing Legal Education credits; and
  • Networking opportunities over lunch.

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 

 

Miami Herald Write Up on Michael Haggard’s Recent Honors

The Miami Herald featured The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard in a recently published article. The write-up reported on Haggard recently receiving the 2017 Florida Justice Association’s Perry Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition as ‘Lawyer of the Year’ by Best Lawyers of America. The article detailed how the prestigious recognitions received by Haggard came within a year of his life-saving kidney transplant.

Haggard told the paper “The Perry Nichols Award and the Best Lawyer Award are the greatest professional awards I have been honored to receive. Each is specifically gratifying proving someone with PKD is never limited in achieving their dreams and I hope that inspires others.”

miami herald article on haggard winning pery nichols and lawyer of the year

to read the full article:

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Sun Sentinel: Haggard to Receive Perry Nichols Award

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel has posted the recent news that our Michael Haggard has been named the recipient of the Florida Justice Associations’ 2017 Perry Nichols award.

The FJA says the award is bestowed upon the attorney who sets the standard for the rest of us to aspire to achieve.

The Perry Nichols Award was created in 1977 in honor of the visionary who first brought Florida’s leading trial attorneys together to create the predecessor to today’s FJA. This Award is the most prestigious award given by our organization and is given to the attorney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives.

Haggard will receive the award during the Founder’s Day Luncheon during the FJA’s Master’s of Justice CLE Event October 4-6th in Sarasota Florida, more info

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Magazine Names Haggard 2017 ‘Super Star’ Lawyer

Congratulations to our Michael Haggard. He was among 10 local lawyers included in Attorney at Law Magazine‘s ‘Super Stars of 2017’ edition.

The Magazine writes “These attorneys have been nominated by their peers to be recognized for their accomplishments both inside and outside the courtroom.”

To read the full article, click on the following link and scroll to page 12-13.

http://bit.ly/2gw0VKl      

This most recent recognition follows news that Haggard will receive the Florida Justice Association’s 2017 Perry Nichols Award, that organization’s highest honor. Click here to learn more

Michael Haggard Bio

Haggard Named Recipient of Nichols Award by FJA

Congratulations to The Haggard Law Firm’s Managing Partner Michael Haggard who was named the recipient of the 2017 Perry Nichols Award.

The Perry Nichols Award was created in 1977 in honor of the visionary who first brought Florida’s leading trial attorneys together to create the Negligence and Compensation Lawyers of Florida, the predecessor to today’s Florida Justice Association. It is the most prestigious award given by our organization and is given to the attorney whose perseverance, commitment, and unmatched dedication to the civil justice system is at the forefront of their lives. The FJA says the award is bestowed upon the attorney who sets the standard for the rest of us to aspire to achieve.

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