Litigation Areas

Please select from the following litigation services to learn more about how Equels Law Firm can help you:

Historically, our lawyers have handled numerous appeals, and have appeared before appellate panels in all Florida districts, before the Florida Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh U.S. Circuit. We are regularly called upon by other law firms to assist with appeals, whether as lead counsel or co-counsel.

Administrative

With a keen understanding of the APA and the inner workings of state agencies, our lawyers can provide effective and efficient representation to those doing business with the state, seeking to do business with the state, or having their businesses or professional practices regulated by the state. We enjoy good working relationships at every level of Florida government, and appear regularly before state regulatory boards and the Division of Administrative Hearings. Our lawyers guide professionals through the licensure application process, successfully defend professional licenses and government contracts in a variety of areas, and regularly handle appeals of administrative matters.

For a confidential consultation on any administrative law matter, contact Stan Chapman in Tallahassee at (850) 222-2900 or Tom Equels in Miami at (305) 859-7700.

Business & Commercial

Equels Law Firm provides experienced, creative and efficient representation in resolving business and commercial disputes, both domestic and international, whether in court or otherwise. The firm's representation is as broad as the Florida economy and includes all manner of contracts and investments, banking and other financial matters, sales of goods, monetary instruments, distribution and licensing matters, real and personal property rights, shareholder and director rights and liabilities, partnership rights and liabilities, employee and employer rights and liabilities, and government investigations and compliance.

Construction, Architects & Engineers

The firm assists clients in the construction industry and the architectural and engineering disciplines with all of their contract, litigation and licensing needs. We counsel and represent clients from the negotiation of contracts through completion of projects, including issues related to mechanics liens, quality of work, surety and bonds, financing and design.

Insurance

We have assisted both insureds and insurance companies in resolving coverage disputes, settling bad faith claims, establishing the contractual obligations of reinsurers and third-party insurers and other complicated insurance issues. We also have worked extensively with insurance companies in receivership proceedings, representing the receiver and achieving substantial recoveries.

We have worked with several national insurance companies to curb rampant fraud perpetrated by “PIP mills” that contact drivers and passengers involved in minor accidents and pay a fee for their signatures on Personal Injury Protection insurance forms. PIP providers then are billed for services the drivers and passengers have not received. Equels Law Firm has brought civil fraud actions against the mills, as well as provided information to Dade and Broward prosecutors.

Intellectual Property & Trade Secrets

Equels Law Firm has provided its clients with effective representation and counseling in connection with the protection of trade secrets, proprietary and confidential information, licensing agreements and restrictive covenants, trade marks, copyrights and related intellectual property rights.

International Dispute Resolution

We have represented clients from throughout the world, resolving problems here in Florida, in the United States and internationally from the Americas to Europe and Asia.

We have helped our clients settle significant disputes in Aruba, Belize, Panama, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Brazil, France, Italy, the U.K., the Phillipines and throughout Latin America. With the assistance of an international investigative firm we have identified and recovered substantial assets in France, England, Spain, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, and throughout South America.

Personal Injury & Tort

Equels Law Firm handles all types of personal injury cases, from wrongful death and catastrophic accidents to injuries sustained from faulty premises and products. We have worked with clients injured on cruise ships, at Orlando-area attractions, and in other parts of the state while on vacation. Our knowledge of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and technological know-how assist us in quickly and effectively explaining to insurance adjusters and defense counsel the liability of their clients and the value of a case.

Within the past two years Equels Law Firm has brought multi-million dollar claims in California, Texas and Florida where wrongful death resulted from failure to warn, failure to properly supervise, negligent entrustment of a dangerous instrumentality, strict liability for manufacturing a dangerous product, railroad liability and other negligence. We have the expertise and resources to investigate not only issues of liability, but of tortfeasors′ net worth and assets available to satisfy a judgment. We also work closely with law enforcement when appropriate, to see that cases are properly prosecuted within the criminal justice system.

Equels Law Firm was the first Florida law firm to file suit against the Bayer Corporation over the cholesterol-lowering drug Baycol, which is now the subject of more than 2,000 lawsuits nationally. Our lawyers recently brought suit against a major tire manufacturer, and after two years of litigation settled a case last year involving the nation′s largest auto manufacturer. We have the knowledge and resources to investigate and prosecute products suits anywhere in the country.

Equels Law Firm has participated as lead counsel and co-counsel in bringing class action lawsuits in state and federal courts.

Receiverships

We have served as receivers and as counsel to receivers in numerous cases involving recoupment of misappropriated assets. Our lawyers also are experienced in overseeing the liquidation of large estates and negotiating with creditors within the United States and abroad.