Firm News & Awards

Dale R. Hightower selected as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for 2012

Congratulations to Dale R. Hightower, he was selected by his peers as one of "The Best Lawyers in America" for 2012. For nearly 3 decades, "Best Lawyers" has been regarded by both the profession and the public as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.

2011 News & Awards

HIGHTOWER & PARTNERS ATTORNEYS NAMED "RISING STARS" BY SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE

We are pleased to announce that our Partners Anthony G. Franqui, Terra Wilhelm, Christopher Stratton and Lee A. Kantor have been recognized for their hard work and dedication in the legal field. They've been names "Rising Stars" by Florida Super Lawyers magazine. We are pleased to announce that our Partners Anthony G. Franqui, Terra Wilhelm, Christopher Stratton and Lee A. Kantor have been recognized for their hard work and dedication in the legal field. They've been names "Rising Stars" by Florida Super Lawyers magazine.

January 2011 – Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association Event

Hightower & Partners sponsored the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association’s Winter Board meeting this year at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel Florida. Good times were had by all, especially our attorneys, , Terra Wilhelm and Davis Lewis. They had fun meeting executives from Hooters, Miller’s Ale House and Firehouse Subs just to name a few!

November 2010 - NEWS

Terra Wilhelm and , Lee Kantor traveled to Plano, Texas in November to give an accredited seminar for adjusters from Gallagher Bassett. This three hour seminar covered a wide range of topics including defense strategies for medical examinations, litigating in federal court and settlement negotiations& Partners will happily custom tailor a seminar for any of our business partners and present either in person or online through a webinar. Contactat Anna Pham (305) 539-0909 or via email Apham@hightowerlaw.net to coordinate

JULY 2010 - NEWS and awards

FIRM FOUNDER NAMED “TOP Lawyer” BY TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE

The July/August 2010 issue of Tampa Bay Magazine has named Dale R. Hightower one of the Top Lawyers serving Tampa Bay.  The selection process was based on peer review ratings as compiled by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell.  Our Tampa Bay office is located in St. Petersburg, Florida and is managed by Partner, Terra D. Wilhelm. 

JUNE 2010 - Premises liability defense verdict

DELORES ROTH V. MAGGIANO'S LITTLE ITALY

Palm Beach County Circuit Court Case No. 2009-CA-023590 - The Honorable Edward Garrison presided.

Tried: June 21-23, 2010
Defense Attorneys for Maggiano's Little Italy:
DALE R. HIGHTOWER, ESQ.
LEE A. KANTOR, ESQ.

The 81 year-old Plaintiff was a customer at Defendant restaurant and tripped over an alleged "kink" in the edge on an area rug on the floor.  Plaintiff argued that Defendant previously had "gorilla taped" the corners of the area rug and therefore had knowledge that it could "kink" or not lay flat.  Plaintiff's husband testified he saw Plaintiff's foot under the rug after she fell, therefore proving she tripped on the carpet and did not just lose her balance.

Plaintiff was taken to the hospital and x-rays revealed complex fracture of the proximal humerus.  Plaintiff later had an MRI which showed a rotator cuff tear, which resulted in surgery.  Plaintiff's orthopedic surgeon testified that she had serious disability in her dominant arm and had a permanent injury. 

Defense argued that there was no direct evidence that the alleged "kink" is what Plaintiff tripped on and that "kink" was not a dangerous, but rather ordinary condition of a rug.

Plaintiff asked the Jury to award $450,000.  Plaintiff's lowest demand before trial was $125,000.

DEFENSE VERDICT in 35 minutes

May 2010 - Hightower & Partners

CHANGE IN SLIP AND FALL LAW

Partner, Anthony G. Franqui, Esq. reports that last week Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed a new law concerning slips and falls on transitory foreign substances in business establishments. The new law charges Plaintiffs with the burden of proving that the business establishment had actual or constructive knowledge (knew or should have shown) of the dangerous condition and should have taken action to remedy it. Under the new law, constructive knowledge may be proven by circumstantial evidence showing that either (1) that the dangerous condition existed for such a length of time that in the exercise or ordinary care, the business establishment should have known of the condition; or (2) that the condition occurred with regularity and was therefore foreseeable. The new law effectively repealed F.S. §768.0755, with an effective date of July 1, 2010. This will greatly help us defend slip and fall cases in Florida.

Contact Anthony at AFranqui@hightowerlaw.net to discuss further.

GREAT TRIAL RESULTS

Lee A. Kantor

Lee A. Kantor, Esq. obtained a great result in a huge negligent security case where the Plaintiff asked the Jury to award $2 million, but the Jury returned a net verdict of only $34,700 (case was settled for confidential amount by insurance carrier right before the verdict was announced). See below for details.

HIGHTOWER TO LECTURE

Firm founder, Dale R. Hightower, Esq. has been invited to be a speaker by the National Business Institute at an upcoming legal seminar in Miami. Mr. Hightower will be sharing his expertise and teaching other attorneys how to improve their witness deposition strategies. Mr. Hightower is a well known lecturer at continuing legal education presentations in Florida and this is the eighth time he has been invited to speak in the last 10 years by various prestigious organizations.

Contact Dale at dale@hightowerlaw.net to schedule a free accredited seminar with your organization.

April 2010 - West Palm Beach Jury Trials

Anthony Deluca v. Driftwood Ventures /Bahamas Casino and Resort

Palm Beach Circuit Court Case No. 03-01843 CA - The honorable Joseph Marx presided.

Tried: April 5-6, 2010
Defense Attorneys for Bahamas Casino:
LEE A. KANTOR, ESQ.

Negligent Security/Hotel Room Invasion:

Four fractured ribs, collapsed lung, fractured wrist, TMJ injury, and alleged brain damage.
The Plaintiff was a guest at the Defendant's hotel and casino. Plaintiff returned to his room with his friend after big wins in the casino. A few hours later there was a knock at the door, the Plaintiff's friend opened the door and three men burst into the room and robbed and assaulted them. Plaintiff was severely beaten and had to be transported by helicopter from the Bahamas to Miami for emergency treatment as he was in critical condition Plaintiff suffered broken ribs, collapsed lung, fractured wrist, TMJ injury and alleged brain injury Plaintiff also claimed a loss of $100,000 in jewelry and $25,000 in cash.
The Plaintiff's medical bills totaled almost $70,000. Case was divided into two trials - one for liability and another one for damages. Previous liability trial resulted in Plaintiff being 30% liable, Plaintiff's friend 50% liable, and hotel 20% liable. In this damage trial Plaintiff asked jury to award $2 million dollars.

VERDICT: Jury returned "advisory verdict" after case had settled. Gross award was $173,640 resulting in a net award of $34,728. (20% of $173,640)

2010 News & Awards

HIGHTOWER & PARTNERS ATTORNEYS NAMED “RISING STARS”
BY SUPER LAWYERS MAGAZINE

We are pleased to announce that Partners are recognized for their hard work and dedication in the legal field. Dale R. Hightower, Anthony G. Franqui and Lee A. Kantor have been named “Rising Stars” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine.

FIRM FOUNDER AGAIN NAMED “TOP ATTORNEY”
BY RESPECTED LEGAL PUBLICATION

The 2010 South Florida Legal Guide has again named Dale R. Hightower as one of Florida's top attorneys according to his fellow attorneys and editors of the magazine. We are pleased to announce that he has received this award for four years straight.

VIDEO CONFERENCING NOW AVAILABLE IN ALL 4 OFFICES

We are always looking at different methods to help improve the flow of business between our attorneys and its business partners. Since we value modern technology such as e-mail, we are pleased to announce that all of our four locations have been equipped with Video-Conferencing capabilities.

2009 News & Awards

DEFENSE VERDICT FOR SOUTH BEACH'S 2ND LARGEST NIGHTCLUB - CROBAR

Dale Hightower successfully defended one of South Beach's largest and most popular nightclubs from a lawsuit brought by a patron who fell off a dance platform and severely injured his knee. The Plaintiff was employed at Joe's Stone Crab, another South Beach institution, and claimed over $100,000 in past and future medical expenses for knee surgery and physical therapy. The Plaintiff asked the jury to award over a half million dollars!

Our firm has been asked to represent many of South Beach's world-famous hotels, restaurants, and nightclubs over the years due to our expertise in Premises Liability litigation.

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DALE R. HIGHTOWER NAMED “TOP ATTORNEY” AGAIN
BY RESPECTED LEGAL PUBLICATION

 

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2008 News & Awards

FIRM GIVES WHOPPER OF A PRESENTATION AT BURGER KING HEADQUARTERS

 

In recognition and celebration of 10 years of its representation of Burger King Corporation, we were invited to present an accredited presentation at its worldwide headquarters.

The firm sent a specialized restaurant attorney from each office location (Tampa Bay, Orlando, Palm Beach and Miami) to attend this event. The three-hour PowerPoint seminar covered all topics of Risk Management in the restaurant industry. The presentation included Pre-Suit strategies for Successful Defense and Corporate Trial Strategies for Defense Verdicts.

 

FIRM INVITED TO CONDUCT SEMINAR FOR THE FLORIDA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION

Six of the firm's attorneys traveled to Jacksonville to educate an audience of approximately 40 claims professionals at FIGA. The show went on for half the day covering a wide range of topics such as Slip and Fall, Trip and Fall, Property Claims, Toxic Mold Exposures, and Pre-Suit and In-Suit Considerations. After the presentation, the audience gave speakers Terra D. Wilhelm, Christopher S. Stratton and Dale R. Hightower a "two-thumbs up" for educational content and showmanship. The adjusters received three hours of credits from the state of Florida for attending the firm’s presentation.

 

 

DALE R. HIGHTOWER NAMED “TOP ATTORNEY”, 2008

 

Dale has been trying cases from Tallahassee to Key West for 27 years and has a 90 percent success rate in over 200 jury trials statewide. He still tries 80 percent of the firm's cases and is corporate America's "go-to" trial lawyer when big cases need aggressive defense.