Rick Gonzalez represents clients in a wide range of commercial litigation matters before state and federal courts and alternative dispute resolution panels. Rick has litigated matters involving negligence, contract disputes, fiduciary relationships, unfair and deceptive trade practices, fraud, business torts, securities, probate issues, and the defense of regulatory investigations. Rick formerly worked as an attorney at the Federal Trade Commission in Washington, D.C., where he litigated civil actions related to deceptive, unfair or fraudulent trade practices in the financial services industry, including predatory and discriminatory lending and deceptive or unfair loan servicing or debt collection practices. Areas of Concentration · Complex commercial litigation · Business torts · Securities litigation · Unfair and deceptive trade practices · Regulatory and enforcement investigations · Class actions · Probate litigation Significant Representations · Served as pro bono, co-counsel for two foster children in a landmark case in which a Miami-Dade County circuit court struck down as unconstitutional a Florida statute barring lesbians and gay men from adopting children. The Florida law barring lesbians and gay men from adopting is the most expansive anti-gay parenting law in the country. · Representation of international hotel chain in wrongful death and negligence case involving forum non conveniens and complex foreign law issues. · Defended major broker-dealer firms in scores of arbitration proceedings. Professional & Community Involvement · Member, The Florida Bar · Member, American Bar Association · Member, Hispanic National Bar Association · Member, Federal Bar Association · Member, The United Way of Miami-Dade County, Older Adults Impact Council · Member, Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Program Awards & Recognition · Member, team honored by SAVE DADE Foundation with the Champions of Equality Award based on role in landmark Florida gay adoption case, May 2011 · Team member, Most Effective Lawyer Award, Appellate category, Daily Business Review, 2010 · Listed, Most Effective Lawyer, Pro Bono category, Daily Business Review, 2009 |