Wicker Smith O'Hara McCoy & Ford P.A.

The attorneys at Wicker Smith have established themselves as leaders in the defense of claims against owners, operators, developers, franchisors, franchises and management companies of residential and commercial properties for catastrophic injury, wrongful death and property damage. We have successfully defended businesses, retailers, landlords, hospitals, hotels, schools, theme parks and other property owners in premises liability claims throughout the state of Florida. Our attorneys routinely litigate the everyday issues facing our clients such as security, lighting and maintenance issues, industry standards, and lessor/lessee contract provisions, among other common issues.

Our recent experiences include:

• Jury declined to award damages against a quick-service restaurant in a negligent security case. Plaintiff, a middle aged male, was alleged carjacked in the parking lot, which left him with a traumatic brain injury. Our attorneys argued the attack was unforseable because the general area surrounding the property was said to be relatively safe. The restaurant had 14 security cameras inside and two outside near the drive-through window.
• Summary judgment for a retail store in a negligent security case. Plaintiff, a middle aged female, was allegedly robbed and assaulted after exiting the store by an unknown assailant. The court granted summary judgment based on our argument that the incident was not foreseeable or preventable.
• Directed verdict for a theme park in a trip and fall case. Plaintiff alleged she tripped over a negligently maintained curb. The court granted directed verdict at the close of Plaintiff’s case based on our argument that Plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence of negligence on the part of the theme park.
• Dismissal for a convenience store in a wrongful death case. Plaintiff claimed that the store was negligent in selling items that were used by a customer to burn the Plaintiff’s daughter to death. Within days of service of the complaint, our attorneys provided the Plaintiff and her attorney with case law convincing them that no cause of action existed against the store, thereby avoiding extensive litigation.

Committment to Diversity
Wicker Smith’s attorneys are native to 6 different countries—Bulgaria, Cuba, Jamaica, Peru, South Korea and Uruguay—and 30 states throughout the U.S., reflecting our true commitment to diversity.

At Wicker Smith, we understand that the cornerstone of our firm’s success and that of our clients is firmly bound by the personal nature of the practice of law.  Certainly, the foundation for any good law firm is the legal experience of the firm’s attorneys and staff; yet, at Wicker Smith, we believe that the background and personal experiences, beyond the legal realm, of the individuals that make up our firm play a far more intricate role in understanding our clients and responding effectively to their legal needs.  Wicker Smith recognizes that diversity makes for a broader, richer environment which produces more creative thinking and solutions. Thus, Wicker Smith holds true to promoting diversity as an essential aspect of the personal nature by which we service our clients, the success of our clients and the overall success of the firm.

Wicker Smith is a member of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (www.lcldnet.org), which is a national organization partnering with Fortune 500 companies and large law firms dedicated to create a truly diverse legal profession and eliminate impediments which preclude minorities and women from having a full and fair opportunity to perform, succeed and lead.

Like many of the Fortune 500 companies we represent, we have placed a priority on developing a legal team that echoes the voice of our clients through a diverse workforce to more fully represent the society in which we practice.  As an established and growing law firm in a state as multi-cultural as Florida, we seek to recruit and maintain a diverse workforce of lawyers and staff whose individual experiences and knowledge bring a kaleidoscope of viewpoints to achieve a better understanding of our clients’ issues.  We welcome individuals with exceptional talent from a broad range of ethnic, cultural, academic, social and political backgrounds. Through mentoring and partnership, we continue this endeavor and envision a strong and diverse future.