Recent Cases & News

AUG 06
Not just an appellate lawyer...

Jessie Harrell was featured in The Resident for her non-legal writing, along with three other Jacksonville attorneys who write fiction for fun. Jessie published a young adult novel, Destined, in November 2011 and has co-authored another novel that is currently on submission.

JUN 27
Federal court denies HHS' motion to quash


A federal court blocked efforts by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to quash state court subpoenas issued on three Florida state government employees. Creed & Gowdy argued that HHS had promulgated an invalid regulation and had unlawfully granted itself the power to block such subpoenas contrary to congressional intent. The federal court agreed in its written order. See the order here. Creed & Gowdy was providing trial support to trial counsel, Abbott Law Group, P.A. and Powell, Powell, & Powell, in a case set to go to trial on July 22, 2013 in state court in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The federal order will allow trial counsel to subpoena the three state employees to testify at trial.    

JUN 21
Significant Arbitration Decision by the Florida Supreme Court

Bryan Gowdy, on behalf of the Florida Justice Association (FJA), submitted an amicus curiae brief in support of a patient in a medical malpractice arbitration case of Franks v. Bowers. The amicus brief supported the patient's claim that the form arbitration agreement drafted by his medical provider was void for public policy because it capped the amount of damages below those authorized by the Legislature in the Medical Malpractice Act. The Supreme Court of Florida agreed with the patient and the FJA. Franks v. Bowers, -- So. 3d - (Fla. 2013), 2013 WL 3064807 at *1

JUN 12
Bryan Gowdy to speak at the Florida Justice Association Annual Conference

Bryan Gowdy will speak on The Law on Testimony by Medical Billing and Coding Experts Regarding Reasonable and Necessary Medical Expenses; How to Deal With the Billing, Coding and Documentation Expert on June 12, 2013 during the Florida Justice Association's Annual Conference in St. Pete Beach, Florida.  Bryan's presentation will be part of the FJA's Perfecting Your Competitive Edge: Advanced Trial Skills for Top Litigators Seminar.

JUN 06
Harrell and Creed Commended in Bar Journal for Leadership of Appellate Practice Section

Jessie Harrell and Rebecca Creed were publically thanked by Chair Jack Reiter  for their service to the Appellate Practice Section of The Florida Bar in the most recent Florida Bar Journal. Harrell chaired the CLE committee and coordinated four day-long programs. Creed served as editor of "The Guide" and contributed to various publications throughout the year.