Steven J. Mitchel Partner
Background
Steven Mitchel was born in New York and moved to South Florida as a child. He graduated from the University of Miami School of Law with honors in 1988 where he was a member and Associate Note Editor of the Law Review. Prior to joining Boyd, Richards, Parker and Colonnelli, Steve was the Managing Partner of two different national insurance defense firms. He was also the Director of Litigation for a major Plaintiff’s personal injury firm and operated his own full-service firm for many years. Because of his accomplishments as a trial lawyer, Steve has been an Adjunct Professor of Law teaching trial advocacy at the Shepard Broad College of Law at Nova Southeastern University and served for several years as a Special Master in Palm Beach County.
During his nearly four decades of practice, Steve has focused on trying cases in state and federal courts throughout the State of Florida and across the United States. He has also handled numerous arbitrations and appeals. His cases have garnered national attention and he has been interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show, 60 Minutes, Court TV, local news stations, USA Today, Miami Herald, the Daily Business Review, and the Associated Press.
His diverse experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants gives him unique insights into his cases, their strategies and proper evaluations. He understands the needs, expectations, and pressure points of decision-makers on both sides of the disputes he handles.
Steve’s practice includes professional liability, medical malpractice, personal injury and wrongful death, premises liability and negligent security, commercial vehicle and trucking accidents, complex commercial litigation, D&O and corporate disputes, product liability, and homeowners and condominium association claims.
Admissions/Education
Steve is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh and Eleventh Circuits.
Education
Tufts University, Medford, Mass – BA, Political Science 1985
University of Miami School of Law, Coral Gables, Florida – Juris Doctor, cum laude, 1988
Representative Cases
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of an emergency physician and his trauma hospital in a medical malpractice case where Plaintiff had a 20,000 lb slab of concrete fall on his foot. Plaintiff claimed that the emergency physician failed to properly evaluate him in the emergency department, failed to obtain necessary consultations from specialists and failed to appreciate the severity of his injuries. As a result of his injuries, Plaintiff claimed he required amputation of the injured foot. The case was worked up by another law firm who urged the defendants to settle the multi-million-dollar case. Steve was brought in to take expert discovery and to try the case. Plaintiff asked the jury to award in excess of $5,000,000. The jury deliberated for less than half-an-hour before returning a complete defense verdict.
Represented the owner of a private parking facility for tractor-trailer operators. The parking spaces were separated by out-of-service concrete light poles obtained from a local utility company. Plaintiff claimed that the light poles violated applicable safety codes, were dangerously placed too close together, and that the parking lot had insufficient lighting. These factors, individually and in combination, combined to create a tripping hazard. As a result, Plaintiff fell on two separate occasions and claimed closed head injuries as well as neck and back injuries. Based on Steve’s cross-examination of Plaintiff in his deposition designed to align the facts with applicable Florida law, we obtained summary judgment in favor of our client on all claims. The summary judgment was subsequently affirmed on appeal.
Obtained a verdict in favor of his client in a complex land development deal arising from a partnership dispute. The partners were family members who could not agree on the approach to developing land on the west coast of Florida. The suit involved claims of breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, officer liability and mishandling of funds. The case was tried in Miami-Dade County and Steve obtained a complete verdict in favor of his client.
Obtained a defense verdict in favor of an electrophysiologist and his practice who were accused of professional malpractice. Plaintiff claimed that the doctor failed to perform necessary testing, including a transesophageal echocardiogram, and failed to properly medicate the patient with blood thinners before performing a cardioversion. During the medical procedure, Plaintiff suffered a stroke when a blood clot shot to his brain. The stroke left Plaintiff unable to care for himself and required him to be moved to a nursing home facility for round-the-clock care. Steve tried the case as an informed consent matter, arguing that Plaintiff was aware of the risks of the cardioversion and consented to the procedure. The jury returned a complete defense verdict.
Successfully defended his corporate and individual clients against claims of non-compete violations, breach of contract, theft of trade secrets and breach of fiduciary duty in a bench trial.