Recent Cases & News

APR 10
Bryan Gowdy Writes Editorial on Juvenile Justice Bill

Bryan Gowdy wrote an editorial in the Florida Times-Union supporting a legislative bill to fix Florida's juvenile sentencing laws that have been ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. Read the article here.

FEB 14
Creed & Gowdy Wins Attorney Fee Issue

The appeal concerned an order directing a party and his counsel to pay our client's attorney's fees. On appeal, the Fifth DCA affirmed our client's entitlement to fees and remanded only for a determination on the amount of fees. The appellate court also directed the party and his attorney to pay our client's reasonable attorney's fees spent on appeal. The opinion can be found here. (Motion for rehearing was also denied). Jessie Harrell handled the appeal.

JAN 29
Creed & Gowdy Wins Guardianship Appeal in the First DCA

The First District Court of Appeal reversed a trial court's order appointing a Ward's siblings as her guardians instead of her husband, contrary to the Ward's designation of pre-need guardianship, and remanded for further findings. The First District Court of Appeal established new law in two areas of guardianship: (1) the level of competency required to execute a designation of pre-need guardianship; and (2) how to interpret a "best interest" standard that allows a trial judge to override a Ward's designation of a pre-need guardian. Attorneys Bryan Gowdy and Jessie Harrell handled the appeal. The opinion can be found here.

JAN 08
Creed & Gowdy Wins Auto Accident Case in the Fourth DCA

Creed & Gowdy secured a reversal for an injured driver after the trial court granted summary judgment to the defense based on the rule against inference stacking. Holding there was no stacking of inferences in the case and summary judgment should not be granted on the issue of causation, the Fourth District reversed. The opinion can be found here. Bryan Gowdy and Jennifer Shoaf Richardson handled the appeal. 

DEC 18
Creed & Gowdy Wins Commercial Appeal in the First DCA

Creed & Gowdy  successfully defended a business against its competitor's attempts  to enforce a non-solicitation agreement.  On appeal, the firm persuaded the First District Court of Appeal to uphold the judgment in the client's favor. The firm also sought attorney's fees and costs on the client's behalf. The First District Court of Appeal affirmed in part and reversed in part in a decision that can be found  here. The Court granted appellate attorney's fees and asked the trial court, on remand, to decide whether to award additional attorney's fees for the work of the client's trial lawyers.