Gissell Jorge Partner
Background
Gissell Jorge is partner in the Miami office who joined the firm in 2015. She was born in Cuba and raised in Miami. Gissell earned her Juris Doctor from Nova Southeastern University in 2000. She began her career as a bankruptcy attorney for the U.S Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee, and later practiced several years in the area of workers’ compensation defense. Most of Gissell’s career has focused on civil litigation defense, and her current trial and litigation practice involves a wide variety of complex/general civil and commercial matters, including premises liability, negligent security, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, vehicular negligence, hospitality industry defense, professional liability and insurance coverage matters. Gissell also handles defense of condominium and homeowner’s associations, including claims involving Officers and Director’s Liability. Gissell also represents private and commercial clients in actions involving civil rights violations, HUD investigations and EEOC claims from their early investigation stages through trial.
Admissions/Education
ADMISSIONS, PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
Gissell is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Dade County Bar Association, and the Cuban American Bar Association.
EDUCATION
Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center, Juris Doctor, 2000
Representative Cases
Secured defense verdict in premise liability claim for negligence against Defendant retailer in case where Plaintiff sustained back injuries requiring surgery while shopping at Defendant’s premises. Obtained dismissal of action by Circuit Court and Order directing case to arbitration which was upheld on appeal by the Third District Court of Appeal, in action involving breach of contract claims against large roofing contractor. Obtained favorable defense verdict in action against Defendant security company involving a plaintiff who died after falling from a third story building at shopping mall. Secured multiple final judgments in premise liability cases for a large supermarket chain on issue of whether Defendants had notice of dangerous conditions involving Plaintiff’s fall.
Obtained a favorable, early resolution in premise liability case on behalf of large restaurant chain where Plaintiff was attacked while at Defendant’s premises and sustained catastrophic injuries while delivering beverages to Defendant. Secured a final summary judgment on behalf of airport contractor on issue of liability when Plaintiff was injured as a result of using electric carts at airport. Secured defense judgment at trial for hotel employer on issue of compensability of injuries by employee while performing job duties.
Secured dismissal of action based on fraud by Plaintiff in case against restaurant chain where Plaintiff sustained injuries as a result of a fall while visiting restaurant Defendant. Represented prominent developer and secured a denial of compensability of idiopathic injuries in an action by employee for workers compensation benefits as a result of falling at work. Secured denial of compensability of work accident at trial for hotel employer on issue of whether Plaintiff’s psychiatric injuries were compensable and related to accident at work.
Represented law firm and its lawyers in action involving claims for legal malpractice and negligence for attorneys’ failure to file claims within statute of limitation period where damages sought were in excess of $1,000,000.00. Obtained significantly less contribution on behalf of client. Represented law firm and its lawyers on allegations of negligence and legal malpractice for failure to secure Plaintiffs’ visitor visas where alleged damages exceeded $7,000,000.00. Obtained significantly less contribution on behalf of client. Representing large insurance company in multi-party litigation in action for breach of contract, negligence and declaratory relief by hotel Plaintiff seeking damages of over $20,000,000.00. Representing multiple law firms and its lawyers involving claims for legal malpractice and legal negligence stemming from past representation of Plaintiffs.