Partner Jim Clark has been selected for membership in the newly-chartered Rosemary Barkett Appellate American Inn of Court

The American Inns of Court, America's oldest, largest and fastest growing legal mentoring organization is firmly rooted in the noble 800-year-old tradition of the Inns of Court in England.  For over twenty years, American Inns of Court have provided judges, lawyers, and law students an opportunity to participate actively in developing a deeper sense of professionalism, achieving higher levels of excellence and furthering the practice of law with dignity and integrity.

The goal of the American Inns of Court is to raise the standard of the legal profession. Outside the courtroom and formal training, seasoned professionals share their wisdom and insight with less experienced practitioners, individually or in small groups. Focused on the development of skills, Inn programs provide creative, practical, interactive instruction in all areas of legal practice. By participating in these programs, members gain the double benefits of teaching as well as learning.

The members of the Rosemary Barkett Appellate Inn of Court specialize in appellate practice and provide an opportunity to mentor less-experienced attorneys and law students.

James K. Clark Named Fellow Of Litigation Counsel Of America

Managing Attorney James K. Clark has been selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.  The LCA is a trial lawyer honorary society composed of less than one-half of one percent of American lawyers. Fellowship in the LCA is highly selective and by invitation only. Fellows are selected based upon excellence and accomplishment in litigation, both at the trial and appellate levels, and superior ethical reputation. The LCA is aggressively diverse in its composition. Established as a trial and appellate lawyer honorary society reflecting the American bar in the twenty-first century, the LCA represents the best in law among its membership. The number of Fellowships has been kept at an exclusive limit by design, allowing qualifications, diversity and inclusion to align effectively, with recognition of excellence in litigation across all segments of the bar. Fellows are generally at the partner or shareholder level, or are independent practitioners with recognized experience and accomplishment. In addition, the LCA is dedicated to promoting superior advocacy, professionalism and ethical standards among its Fellows.

White v. Geico Insurance Company

Tried on January 26 – 30, 2009 in Palm Beach County Circuit Court – Judge Edward Fine

This case involved a police officer who was injured as a result of being rear-ended by an uninsured motorist.  The Plaintiff sued her uninsured motorist carrier, Geico.  The Plaintiff had a percutaneous discectomy in her neck.  Dr. Kugler and Dr. Bistline testified on behalf of the Plaintiff and had medical bills in the neighborhood of $132,000.00. 

Michael Robb was successful in getting a defense verdict in this case.  He was able to point out the outrageous charges that are commonplace with Dr. Bistline and Dr. Kugler.  He was able to show the jury that the charges of Dr. Kugler and Bistline translated to about $1,500.00 per minute for the 20 minute procedure that they did, which would have equated to almost $100,000.00 per hour.  The jury clearly rejected these doctors’ and the Plaintiff’s claim by returning a verdict of $15,000.00 which was reduced by the PIP benefits of $10,000.00.  The Defendants had filed a Proposal for Settlement for $50,000.00 and have pursued their costs and fees from the Plaintiff. 

Hickman v. Geico Insurance Company

Tried on March 26 – 30, 2009 in Broward County Circuit Court – Judge John Bowman

George Hickman was a motorcyclist who alleged a crush injury resulting in damage to his peroneal nerves in his legs.  He claimed that he could no longer walk without a limp and a cane.  The Plaintiff testified that he was very active and traveled the world before this incident.  Mr. Robb was successful in showing that the Plaintiff’s complaints were consistent with diabetic neuropathy, which was reflected in his medical records, but never properly diagnosed and treated by his physicians.  The jury returned a verdict of finding Mr. Hickman 49% at fault for an accident where the tortfeasor made a u-turn in front of him.  The damage award was less than the $50,000.00 that was offered to settle the claim. 

May 27, 2008

Jim Clark was recently honored by the Florida Bar when it named him as Board Certified in Appellate Practice. This appellate certification has only been granted to 154 lawyers around the State. Jim is only the sixth lawyer in the State to hold Board Certifications in both Civil Practice and Appellate Practice.

Jim has argued over 200 appeals in his career and has appeared before most of Florida District Courts of Appeals, the Florida Supreme Court (where he argued the landmark case of Fabre v. Marin and others), and the Federal 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Abraham Kohl vs. State Farm

Tried January 28, 2008 in Broward Circuit Court – Judge Patti Englander Henning

Abraham Kohl was a chiropractor who claimed as a result of an automobile accident with an underinsured motorist that he could no longer work as a chiropractor.  He went on and had a lumbar fusion performed by Dr. Greg Zorman. The Plaintiff presented testimony from several experts that because of his back injury he would not be able to perform the rigorous chiropractic adjustments that went along with his profession.  There was an estimated 2.5 million dollars of future lost earning capacity for the fifteen years that the doctor had cut his career short.  Mr. Robb was successful in obtaining a defense verdict.  The jury did not award the doctor any damages for loss of his career, believing that the injury sustained in the accident was merely soft tissue and not to the extent that he required the surgery that was ultimately performed on him.  The court has awarded costs and fees for the successful defense of this claim.

Holmes vs. Geico

Tried February 12, 2008 in Palm Beach Circuit Court – Judge Timothy McCarthy

The Plaintiff underwent a percataneous diskectomy procedure in her lower back.  The Plaintiff was claiming over a $110,000.00 in medicals as a result of this questionable procedure.  Mr. Robb in crossing the Plaintiff’s radiologist just prior to trial was able to establish that there was a question as to whether or not a surgical procedure needed to be done based on the fact that there was absolutely no evidence other than the MRI scans that were done both pre and post “surgery”.  The Plaintiff on the morning of trial accepted the $10,000.00 offer that had been pending for over two years and for which they indicated that they would never accept under any circumstances.

Prem Pro Litigation

Our law firm is currently handling a number of cases involving the hormone replacement therapy drug referred to as Prem Pro.  Partners Michael Robb and James Clark along with our associate, Leah Charbonnet, are representing women from around the country who developed breast cancer as a result of taking this hormone replacement drug.  Litigation is ongoing on a number of those cases from Puerto Rico to Arkansas.  We are still accepting cases of qualified individuals but time is of the essence given the fact that a July 2008 deadlines exists for any potential new claims.  If you are interested in pursuing a claim please contact the Coral Springs location at (954) 753 -3902.

June 2005

Jeannine Patterson vs. Marc Geftman

Michael Robb, representing the defendant through his insurance company State Farm, was able to obtain a defense verdict. The trial which was in Broward County in front of circuit Judge Patricia Henning involved a rear end accident. The plaintiff went on to have knee surgery for a torn meniscus by Dr. Michael Abrams. The plaintiff who also worked as a phone sex operator claimed she missed time from work as a result of her injuries. Mr. Robb was successful in getting the jury to believe the plaintiffs knee surgery was not from the car accident. The jury awarded the plaintiff only $4500 for past medical bills for some chiropractic adjustments. No future medicals or pain and suffering damages were awarded. The defendant had filed a proposal for settlement for $50,000. The defendant's Motion to Tax Costs and Fees is pending.

Debra Stanfield vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

This matter was tried May7th-10th 2005 in front of Judge Miette Burnstein of the Broward County Circuit Court. Michael Robb represented State Farm. The plaintiff fell while exiting her home to say goodbye to her boyfriend who was already in his pick-up truck. As she fell the plaintiff's right hand went under the rear tire of the truck. The plaintiff's boyfriend did not know she had come out of the house or that she had fallen. He pulled out and ran over her hand crushing all the bones in it and causing a de-gloving injury which required three surgeries. The plaintiff's medical bills totaled $87,000. Mr. Robb was successful in getting the jury to return a verdict of no negligence on the boyfriend and therefore there was no exposure to State Farm. Motions to collect costs and attorney fees has been filed by State Farm.

Givens vs. Costco and Lifetime Products

Partner Michael Robb represented six week old Destiny Givens and her parents for burns the infant sustained when the folding table sold by Costco and manufactured by Lifetime Products collapsed spilling the hot contents of their Christmas dinner onto Destiny who was in a infant carrier near the table. Destiny was burned over 30% of her body and there was testimony from burn specialists at John Hopkins University that the right breast on this young female child may never develop because of the scar tissue. After two mediations spanning over 14 hours of negotiations Michael Robb Jim Clark and Michael Cecere were able to obtain a substantial settlement for the family which secures Destiny future . At the request of Lifetime Products the complete terms of the settlement are confidential.

May 2005

Partner Michael Robb was recently mentioned as a lawyer who has taken on ,who many believe to be the dean of West Palm Beach plaintiffs' attorneys, Bob Montgomery and didn't back down from the challenge. In an article published in the New Times Mr. Robb shared thought regarding some of his dealings with Mr. Montgomery.

February 2005

Clark, Robb, Mason, Coulombe & Buschman selects PaperStreet to develop new web site.