Civil Jury Trials Are Coming Back

We are ecstatic to say: jury trials are back in the State of Florida! Not only has Miami-Dade County resumed jury trials this month, but civil jury trials have already taken place in Melbourne, Brevard County. CTL predicts that the entire state will have resumed jury trials by July 1st. In fact, William Clayton and Miguel Aristizabal recently sought to get a jury trial set in June in Seminole County (Orlando area).

William, a past President of the American Board of Trial Advocacy (“ABOTA”) Florida Chapters, recently attended an ABOTA Board meeting. At the meeting, its current President, Chief Judge Nelly Khouzam (2nd District Court of Appeal in Tampa), said discussions were underway to have appellate judges — with jury trial experience — brought in to try cases, to reduce the backlog caused by the pandemic. She further remarked: “Everything is on the table” to get jury trials to rebound. ABOTA, www.abota.org, is widely regarded as having the “best of the best” among civil trial attorneys (both plaintiff and defense, and judges).

At CTL, We Give Back to the Community

One of CTL’s core beliefs is being involved and giving back to the community. In accordance with that tenet, William was recently named as Chair of the “Building Together in Faith Campaign” – celebrating 100 years of the St. Anthony Church and for raising $7 million in funds for building a new 30,000 square foot St. Anthony School & Parish Center near downtown Fort Lauderdale.

CTL Has a Legal Elite – Top 1% in Nation

William was recently notified of his selection in Florida Trend as a “Legal Elite” – among only the top 1% in the legal profession. He was also chosen again as a faculty member to make recommendations for Best Lawyers in U.S. for 2022.

CTL Has a Harvard Graduate Joining Us

Finally, CTL is pleased to introduce Kevin Stone. A current 2L at the University of Miami School of Law, Kevin is joining the CTL team as a Legal Intern and 2021 Summer Clerk. Kevin is a 2019 graduate from Harvard University with a BA in Government, where he was also a starting pitcher on Harvard’s Division 1 Varsity Baseball Team. In law school, Kevin is concentrating his studies in civil litigation and trial advocacy.

We look forward to staying in touch — you have our cell phone numbers, and we are always here for you! We hope you and your loved ones remain healthy and safe!

-William, Rosa, Miguel, Jenny, Bryan & Michelle