Malpractice and Personal Injury Firms: Top mistakes to avoid (including 1 hour of Ethics)

Michael H. Kugler | GOLDLAW – Personal Injury Lawyers

Mike has dedicated his career to obtaining justice for ALL categories of victims of negligence. He approaches his cases with tenacity, compassion, and respect. His refreshing ability to relate to all clients in a unique and honest way shows them how willing he is to fight for their rights.

Kugler began his legal career at the Office of the State Attorney in Palm Beach County. A veteran of over 100 jury trials, he prosecuted every type of crime from DUI to Capital Sexual Battery to Death Penalty cases. As a key member of Special Victim’s Unit, Mike prosecuted the most violent predators in the community and gave a voice to child victims of sexual abuse.

In his career in pursing justice for victims of the negligence of others, Mike has taken on such high-profile opponents as Mercedes-Benz, Toyota Motor Corporation, Fiat Chrysler, Michelin, and medical device giant Stryker. He has successfully prosecuted catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases against large hospital corporations including Tent and HCA.

Originally from Los Angeles, California, Kugler came to South Florida on an academic scholarship to the University of Miami, where he earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration. He worked in the financial industry as a licensed stockbroker before making the career change to law. Mike earned his JD at the Nova Southeastern University Law School, where he was a member of multiple mock trial teams, and the Vice President of Nova’s trial organization.

Jason Bruno | Sherrets Bruno & Vogt LLC

Mr. Bruno is an experienced multi-jurisdictional trial and appellate attorney licensed in Arizona, Texas, Minnesota, Nebraska, and various federal courts focusing on business litigation, real estate litigation, construction litigation, civil appeals, legal malpractice, and eminent domain. Mr. Bruno has been named a Top 40 Lawyer Under 40 by the American Society of Legal Advocates, has been named as Outstanding Faculty for the National Business Institute, and has received Client Distinction Awards from Martindale and Avvo. Mr. Bruno has obtained significant results on behalf of clients, including 10 judgments exceeding $1,000,000. Mr. Bruno has been retained by other lawyers to serve as an expert witness in litigation and has written articles and/or presented at more than 20 seminars in the areas of legal malpractice, trial practice, ethics, real estate, boundary disputes, valuation, business acquisitions, and construction law.

Session I – Protecting Your Personal Injury Firm from Malpractice Claims | 11:00am – 12:00pm

• Statute of Limitations | 11:00am – 11:15am
• Conflicts of Interest | 11:15am – 11:30am
• Liens and Fee Contracts | 11:30am – 11:45am
• Practicing Outside your area of expertise | 11:45am – 12:00pm

Break | 12:00pm – 12:10pm

Session II – Top Mistakes that Lead to Malpractice | 12:10pm – 1:10pm

• Starting a Lawyer-Client Relationship Carelessly/Accidentally | 12:10pm – 12:25pm
• Failure to Obtain Client Consent and/or Follow Client Instruction | 12:25pm – 12:40pm
• Missed Deadlines | 12:40pm – 12:55pm
• Tips for Avoiding Legal Malpractice Claims | 12:55pm – 1:10pm