Michael Carroll News
State Supreme Court upholds key provisions of Florida law banning local firearms ordinances
The Florida Supreme Court dealt a blow to local governments’ home-rule authority last week by upholding provisions of a state law blocking cities from regulating firearms.
Court ruling casts doubt on 'sue first, discover second' business model
A Florida appeals court has pushed back on a company’s application of a little-used legal practice and cast a shadow on the business practices it uses to secure Medicare reimbursements.
Federal judge dismisses gender-identity lawsuit brought by parents against Florida school district
A federal judge has declined to rule on a lawsuit brought by a Leon County middle school student’s parents, who alleged that district employees illegally counseled their daughter about her gender-confusion issues without their consent.
Number of Florida plaintiffs challenging anti-lobbying constitutional amendment expands
A federal lawsuit aimed at overturning a voter-approved 2018 Florida constitutional amendment that restricts lobbying activities by former and current elected officials is gaining plaintiffs, with Leon County Commissioner Bill Proctor recently joining the legal fight.
Florida philanthropist sues former homebuilder employee for defamation, alleging bot farm attacks
Florida philanthropist Bill Pulte is suing a former executive of the company founded by his grandfather, Atlanta-based PulteGroup, for defamation, alleging the former chief operating officer launched an online bot farm to harass him and his family.
Average Monroe County single-family homeowner now pays $7,162 for property insurance, report finds
Among Florida counties, Monroe posted the highest average property insurance premium cost for single-family homes – $7,162 – according to new data from Florida insurance regulators that highlights continuing challenges for the state’s insurers.
Advocacy groups that challenged Florida solitary confinement practices drop lawsuit, pay $210,000 in legal costs
Several advocacy groups have decided to drop a federal lawsuit and pay more than $210,000 in legal costs to the Florida Department of Corrections (FDC), which the groups alleged had engaged in cruel and inhumane solitary confinement practices.
Lawsuit challenging State Road 7 extension expected to cause delays costing nearly $50 million
A Palm Beach County transit agency is warning that the delay of a road expansion project due to a lawsuit alleging risks of environmental damage will cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.
The late Miami-Dade clerk of the courts Harvey Ruvin praised for 50-plus-year record of public service
The Miami-Dade County clerk of the courts, Harvey Ruvin, died on Dec. 31, ending a record of public service that spanned more than a half-century and earned Ruvin praise for his work on both technology and environmental issues in Florida.
Florida's high court rejects 'excessive' $16 million damages award in wrongful death case
The Florida Supreme Court has struck down a $16 million punitive damages award in a wrongful death case, concluding that the award was out of sync with the jury’s compensatory damages award of just $150,000.
11th Circuit backs St. Johns school board's limitation on transgender bathroom use
A federal appeals court has sided with a Florida school board’s policy of restricting students’ use of male and female bathrooms based on their biological sex, thereby barring transgender students from using a bathroom aligned with their gender identity.
UF professors seek dismissal of their lawsuit challenging university's expert witness policy
The University of Florida’s decision to revise its policy of scrutinizing faculty requests to participate as expert witnesses in public-policy litigation has led several UF professors to seek dismissal of their lawsuit against the university.
Florida high court disbars attorney Scot Strems, citing 'frivolous' claims and 'cumulative misconduct'
The Florida Supreme Court has disbarred Coral Gables attorney Scot Strems, saying he grossly mismanaged his law firm, engaged in professional misconduct and repeatedly filed “frivolous” insurance claims.
Plaintiffs challenging Florida's Parental Rights in Education law argue against motions to dismiss case
Litigation filed by Florida students and parents challenging the legality of the state’s newly passed Parental Rights in Education law received some encouragement last week from an amicus brief filed by attorneys general in California and 18 other states.
State Supreme Court green-lights grand jury probe into COVID-19 vaccine activities
The Florida Supreme Court last week approved Gov. Ron DeSantis’ petition for a statewide grand jury to investigate criminal activity and wrongdoing related to the development, testing and promotion of the COVID-19 vaccines in the state.
DeSantis fills appeals court vacancies in wake of state Supreme Court rejecting residency challenge
The Florida Supreme Court cleared the way for Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill judicial slots on the new Sixth District Court of Appeal by rejecting a legal challenge arguing that nominees for the positions did not meet residency requirements as specified in the state constitution.
Further Florida property insurance changes expected in the wake of reform measure's passage this month
The passage of landmark property insurance reforms this month by the Florida Legislature, including an end to incentives for filing frivolous lawsuits, likely won’t be the last word on insurance reforms, industry insiders say.
DeSantis calls on state Supreme Court to approve statewide grand jury on COVID-19 vaccinations
Gov. Ron DeSantis has petitioned the state Supreme Court to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate whether “criminal or wrongful activity” has taken place in Florida related to the development and promotion of coronavirus vaccines.
Lawsuit to stop dissolution of Disney special services district moving forward
A lawsuit challenging Florida’s decision to dissolve Disney’s Reedy Creek Improvement District (RCID) next year is moving forward amid a continuing debate over whether the district equates to a tax break for Disney or a good deal for taxpayers.
Governor signs property insurance reform bill that would end one-way attorney fees
Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed a bill that tort-reform supporters say is a landmark measure to shore up the state’s property insurance market, ban the heavily criticized one-way attorney-fee provision and eliminate the assignment of benefits (AOB) in property claims.