(305) 416-3180

Jeremy Harris, ESQ

Professional Experience

Jeremy W. Harris is the Co-Chair of the Firm’s National Catastrophic Injury and Loss Defense Department.  Mr. Harris has extensive trial and appellate court experience in complex litigation, with a special focus on the defense of claims involving wrongful death, paralysis, amputations, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault, and other serious injuries. These claims can result from a multitude of alleged causes, including construction site accidents and collapses, road construction accidents, commercial trucking and car accidents, premises liability, negligent security, and products liability, to name a few.  Mr. Harris has specialized knowledge of each of the industries involved in these claims-knowledge that he uses to represent his clients to the best of his abilities.

Mr. Harris’s judicial philosophy involves every action being taken only if it is a purposeful step towards a favorable end result for his clients, whether that involves litigating a matter to conclusion or providing the best possible platform for settlement. He believes attention to the plaintiff’s claim is paramount, but opportunities for risk transfer must always be fully explored.  This is especially true in cases involving catastrophic injury, as these claims often have millions or tens of millions of dollars at stake.

Mr. Harris also maintains a healthy construction law practice and represents architects, engineers, general contractors/subcontractors, and developers in all manner of construction/design defect litigation.

He has taken hundreds (if not thousands) of depositions and has attended hundreds (if not thousands) of hearings. Mr. Harris has tried cases before many trial courts throughout the state of Florida and has engaged in oral arguments in front of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit and the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Districts of the State of Florida. He obtained favorable results in the vast majority of these trials and appeals.

Mr. Harris serves as defense counsel from accident investigation to trial (and beyond if necessary) and also serves as monitor counsel/trial counsel for large claims that need a second look or additional help due to the complexity of the claims.  When asked to join ongoing litigation, his approach is to immediately and forcefully take all action necessary to ready a case for trial.

Before joining the firm, Mr. Harris was a shareholder and managing attorney of a national firm’s Florida office, leading a large team of attorneys in complex litigation. Prior to going to law school, Mr. Harris was part of his collegiate and high school debate teams-qualifying in college for the prestigious National Debate Tournament.  He is a proud husband and father of four boys and enjoys weightlifting in his free time.

Education

  • Florida State University College of Law, with Honors
  • The Wichita State University, B.A.-Magna Cum Laude

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Florida Bar
  • U.S Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S District Court for the Northern District of Florida
  • U.S District Court for the Middle District of Florida
  • U.S District Court for the Southern District of Florida

Representative Appellate Opinions

Clausen Trust v. Crowther Roofing (2020 and 2021 orders) involved a trial court granting various motions for summary judgment on a fire claim involving a luxury beachfront house. These summary judgments eliminated over $8,000,000 of the plaintiff’s claimed damages.

Stafford v. St. Joe (2017 order) involved a trial court granting a motion for partial summary judgment on a paralysis claim that lead to settlement on the claim.

HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Perez decided a lien priority dispute in favor of Mr. Harris’s client.  The litigation arose as a result of a fraudulent mortgage scheme in which none of the parties were involved.  Two banks litigated lien priority, and the loser was ultimately out its lien.  This case created new law based on complicated title issues that benefitted Mr. Harris’s client.  HSBC Bank USA, N.A. v. Perez, 165 So.3d 696 (Fla. 4th 2015).

Leadership, Membership & Honors

  • Dean’s List multiple semesters
  • Florida State University Law Review board member