Recent Cases & News

JAN 08
Is It Over Yet? A Primer on Federal and State Appellate Finality Doctrines

Thomas Burns, Of-Counsel to Creed & Gowdy, P.A. was featured in the first Issue of the 2020 Florida Bar Journal.  Burns and his colleague, Arda Goker, discuss the differences among federal and state appellate finality doctrines and explain how to file federal and state notices of appeal.  This publication concludes with the revelation that federal and state finality doctrines are "deceptively dissimilar".

The read the full article, Click Here.

DEC 20
Rebecca Creed Scores Win in the 5th DCA

Ms. Creed was retained by Ms. Davis, the Former Wife and Appellant in a case on appeal in the 5th DCA from St. Johns County, Florida. In her reply brief and during oral argument, Ms. Creed argued that the trial court erred in setting aside the magistrate's order and recommendations and that compentent, substantial evidence supported the magistrate's findings that changes in circumstance supported the Former Wife's need for a modified alimony award. In their December 20, 2019 opinion, the 5th DCA agreed. Read the opinion here.

DEC 10
Creed & Gowdy assists in $6.5M Win in "Psycho Swing" Case

Elizabeth Frank was injured as a child in 2011 while on a defective and dangerous carnival ride called the "Physcho Swing." In addition to providing litigation support to Ms. Frank's trial counsel, Schlesinger Law Offices P.A.,  Creed & Gowdy also represented Ms. Frank in two appellate proceedings - one at the federal appellate level and one at the state appellate level. 

Cllick here to read more about the case.

NOV 26
Jacksonville Justice Association and Florida Justice Association Donate Nearly $31,000 to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc.

The Jacksonville Justice Association and the Florida Justice Association this week donated nearly $31,000 to Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, Inc. from the proceeds of their 13th Annual Holiday Kick-off Party. Over the years, the two organizations have raised nearly $120,000 to support JALA's mission and programs. Pictured with JALA CEO Jim Kowalski (center) are past presidents of both the Jacksonville Justice Association and JALA board, Tom Slater of Pajcic & Pajcic (left) and Bryan Gowdy of Creed & Gowdy, P.A. (right).

JALA 2

NOV 22
Rebecca Creed Convinces 1st DCA to Overturn Summary Judgment

In a 3-0 decision, Rebecca Bowen Creed, convinced the First District Court of Appeal to reverse the trial court's decision to grant defendant's motion for summary judgment. The trial court concluded that Weinart was an independent contractor giving rise to the granting of defendant's motion for summary judgment. The 1st DCA concluded that the dispute as to the relationship between Mr. Weinart and New Frontiers, LLC did not permit the trial court to grant summary judgment.

Click here to read the Opinion.