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MAIN OFFICE - MIAMI 2350 South Dixie Highway Miami, Florida 33133 (305) 854-4900 Fax: (305) 854-8266 Toll free: (800) 836-6400 KEY WEST OFFICE 615 1/2 Whitehead Street Key West, Florida 33040 SOUTH BEACH OFFICE 1111 Lincoln Road Miami Beach, Florida 33139 |
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John Elliott Leighton is a partner in the law firm of Leesfield Leighton & Partners, with offices in Miami, Key West and South Beach, Florida. He is a board certified trial lawyer who specializes in inadequate premises security, medical malpractice, consumer class action, product liability and business tort litigation. His writings have been featured articles in Trial magazine seven times. He is a frequent lecturer at legal programs and conventions and has spoken and taught at seminars, colleges and conventions in over a dozen states.
A nationally recognized trial lawyer, Mr. Leighton has been a leader in the field of inadequate premises security litigation for over 20 years and is the author of a new two volume text, "Litigating Premises Security Cases", published by Thomson-West. It is the most comprehensive treatise on investigating, preparing and trying inadequate security cases and representing crime victims.
He recently received the Advocate of Justice Award from the National Crime Victim Bar Association for his work. He is a past executive committee member of the National College of Advocacy Board of Trustees, past Chairman of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section, and is the current Chairman of the Inadequate Security Litigation Group, a position he has held since 1996. He is the Chairman of the Academy of Trial Advocacy, a national invitation-only association of America’s leading catastrophic injury attorneys.
His trial in Jeffery v. Publix Super Markets, a landmark inadequate security case, was the subject of an entire chapter in the treatise Persuasive Jury Communication: Case Studies from Successful Trials, Chapter 10 (Shepard’s/McGraw-Hill, 1995). In addition to lecturing nationally on security and violent crime issues, Mr. Leighton has led training programs for crime victim advocates.
A nationally recognized leader in wrongful death recoveries, Mr. Leighton has obtained some of the highest verdicts and settlements in Florida in wrongful death cases, including what is believed to be the highest single death award in Broward county. The verdict he obtained in Shoaf v. Geiling in 2005 of $24.1 million is the largest verdict in Seminole County history. In the past two years Mr. Leighton has obtained awards and settlements of $8 million, $5.4 million, $4.3 million, $3.65 million, $1.550 million and $1.325 million in wrongful death cases.
Mr. Leighton has been voted as one of the Top Lawyers in South Florida in the South Florida Legal Guide for the last five years, which is a peer selected listing of the leading 250 attorneys out of 23,000 practitioners, has been named a Florida SuperLawyer™ (and voted as one of the top 100 of all the state SuperLawyers), and has been elected to the Florida Trend Legal Elite Top Lawyers in Florida by peer selection. He received his undergraduate and law degrees with honors from the University of Florida, where he was an editor of the Florida Law Review, competed on the Trial Team, and taught first year jurisprudence.
PROFESSIONAL
Partner, Leesfield Leighton & Partners, P.A.
Trial Lawyers with offices in Miami, Key West and South Beach, Florida Board certified trial lawyer with emphasis on complex and catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death, medical malpractice, nursing home liability, product liability, negligence, inadequate premises security, toxic torts, insurance, commercial torts and other complex civil litigation in all state and federal courts.
MEMBERSHIPS, HONORS and ACTIVITIES
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Board Certified specialist in Civil Trial Law
- Florida Board of Legal Specialization (certified 1996; re-certified 2001, 2006)
- Martindale-Hubbell AV rating
- AVVO.COM 10/10 (Superb) rating
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The Best Lawyers in America 2008
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Florida SuperLawyer7 2006, 2007, 2008 (peer selected by statewide blue ribbon panel)
- Listed in Top 100 SuperLawyers in Florida
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Top Lawyers in South Florida,
South Florida Legal Guide
- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- For Medical Malpractice, Product Liability and Wrongful Death
Peer selected as one of the 250 top attorneys out of 23,000 practicing lawyers in South Florida
- 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
- Florida Trend Legal EliteJ 2006, 2007, 2008 (Top Lawyers in Florida)
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American Association for Justice (Sustaining member)
- Inadequate Security Litigation Group
- Co-Chairman (1996-present ); Treasurer (1994-96)
- Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section
- Chairman (1996-97); First Vice Chair (1995-96)
- Nursing Home Litigation Group
- Professional Negligence Section
- Communications, Computers and Law Office Technology Committee (Co-Chair 2001-05)
- ATLA Press Advisory Board Committee (Vice Chair, 2003- )
- ATLA Exchange Advisory Committee (2003- )
- Medical Negligence Information Exchange Group
- Birth Trauma Litigation Group
- Founding Co-Chairman, National Trial Advocacy Competition Committee (1992-95)
- Co-Chairman, Law Student Services Committee (1993-95)
- Permanent Endowment Committee (1994-95)
- Recipient, Wiedmann-Wysocki Citation of Excellence (1993)
- Editorial manuscript reviewer, Trial magazine
- Inadequate Security Litigation Group
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National College of Advocacy (Certified Advocate and Fellow)(Faculty member)
- Member, Board of Trustees (2000-2004 )
- Executive Committee and Secretary, Board of Trustees (2000-2003 )
- Academy of Trial Advocacy
- Chairman, 2007
- Vice Chairman, 2005-2007
- Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (TLPJ)
- Melvin M. Belli Society (Fellow)
- Member, Florida Tort Claims Study Commission, 1989
- (Commission established by Florida Legislature to study and revise Florida tort law)
- The Florida Bar (Trial Lawyers Section; CLE and Civil Procedure Rule Committees)
- Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers (EAGLE Sponsor)(faculty)
- American Bar Association, Tort and Insurance Practice Section,
- Vice Chair, Product, General Liability and Consumer Law Committee (1987‑88)
- Cooperative Association of Medical Malpractice Attorneys (CAMA), charter member
- Dade County Trial Lawyers Association (Board of Directors, 1987-91)
- Dade County Bar Association
- Monroe County Bar Association
- Miami Beach Bar Association
- Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (A.P.I.L.) (U.K.) (overseas member)
- International Personal Injury Network (I.P.I.N.), charter member
- National Crime Victim Bar Association (N.C.V.B.A.), charter member
- B'nai B'rith Bench and Bar
- Cuban American Bar Association (C.A.B.A.)
- Florida Association of Women Lawyers (FAWL)
- Who's Who in America, Who's Who in the South and Southwest
- Who's Who in American Law
- Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America
- International Who's Who of Professionals
- Co-Nominee, Trial Lawyer of the Year, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (1995)
Guest Lecturer:
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EDUCATION
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Juris Doctor
(with honors), The University of Florida, 1985
- Editor and Board Member, Florida Law Review
- University of Florida Trial Competition Team
- Jurisprudence Instructor, University of Florida College of Law (1983-1984)
- Who's Who Among American Law Students, 4th ed., 5th ed.
- Recipient, American Jurisprudence Awards for Torts and Civil Procedure
- Faculty, Teaching Fellows Program
- Bachelor of Arts (with honors), The University of Florida, 1982
- President, Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honorary fraternity
- Florida Blue Key; Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
- Student Senate Majority Leader
- Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity (Life Member, Chapter Supervisor and Graduate Advisor)
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
- Supreme Court of Florida
- United States Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- United States District Court
- Southern District of Florida (General and Trial Bars)
- Middle District of Florida
- Northern District of Florida
- State Courts
pro hac vice:
- Texas
- Wisconsin
- Georgia
- New York
- Indiana
- North Carolina
- Illinois
SELECTED LECTURES, SEMINARS AND PRESENTATIONS
- Lecturer, “Standing Up for a Fair Jury: Voir Dire in Security Cases,” American Association for Justice, Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, July 2007.
- Lecturer, “Picking Civil Juries for Crime Victims,” National Crime Victim Bar Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC, June 2007.
- Lecturer, “Increasing Civility in Civil Litigation,” 11th Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference/Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Orlando, FL, June 2007.
- Keynote Speaker, “Resort Torts,” Monroe County Bar Association Annual Seminar, Key West, FL, May 2007.
- Lecturer, “Premises Liability,” Basic Tort Litigation Seminar, The Florida Bar, Tampa and Miami, FL, May 2007.
- Lecturer, “Inadequate Security Litigation,” New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association, Boardwalk Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ, April 2007.
- Keynote Speaker, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, “Victims’ Rights Conference,” State Attorney’s Office - Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Miami, FL April 2007.
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Lecturer, "Deposition Techniques B Lay and Expert Witnesses," American Association for Justice, Winter Convention, Miami Beach, FL, February 2007.
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Lecturer, "Using Computer Animation in Civil Cases," 59th Annual Melvin Belli Seminar, Seattle, WA, July 2006.
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Lecturer, "Fundamentals of a Hospital Chart B What's There and What's Not," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Seattle, WA, July 2006.
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Lecturer, "Insurance Issues in Inadequate Premises Security Cases," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Seattle, WA, July 2006.
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Lecturer, "Winning Through Discovery," Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association, Memphis, TN, June 2006.
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Lecturer, "Creating the Silver Lining: Techniques for Opening Statement," New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association, Atlantic City, NJ, April 2006.
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Lecturer, "Trying Cases in Trying Times: Jury Selection in Today's Environment," Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys, Destin, FL, April 2006.
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Moderator, Association of Trial Lawyers of America Annual Convention, Honolulu, HI, February 2006.
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Speaker, Civil Remedies for Criminal Acts, National Center for Victims of Crime Victim Advocate Training Program, Fort Lauderdale, FL, January 2006.
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Lecturer, "Inadequate Premises Security," PESI Premises Liability seminar, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, November 2005.
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Lecturer, "Comparing "Fault" B Current Status of Efforts to Include Perpetrators on Verdict Forms...Restatement Approach; Legislation; Case Law; Comparison to Crashworthiness Doctrine," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada, July 2005.
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Course Chair and lecturer, Litigating Nursing Home Cases seminar, ATLA/National College of Advocacy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, March 2005.
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Program Chair, Collateral Sources Seminar, Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, FL, January 2005.
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Lecturer, "Opening Statement," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Fall Trial Skills Seminar, Orlando, FL, November 2004.
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Lecturer, "Jury Selection," National Crime Victim Bar Association Annual Conference, Washington, D.C., October 2004.
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Lecturer, "Liability for failure to admit (EMTALA), discharge and transfer", Holding the Hospital Accountable seminar, ATLA/National College of Advocacy, Montreal, Canada, October 2004.
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Lecturer, "Screening, Selecting and Investigating Inadequate Security Cases: What to Look For Before Taking A Case," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Boston, MA, July 2004.
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Lecturer, 57th Annual Melvin Belli Seminar, Boston, MA, July 2004.
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Lecturer, "Apportionment of Fault," Premises Liability: Inadequate Security Cases, ATLA/National College of Advocacy Teleseminar, May 2004.
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Lecturer, "Jury Selection: Negligent Security," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers Everything You Wanted To Know About Jury Selection seminar, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, March 2004.
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Lecturer and Course Co-Chair, "Effective Settlement Techniques," Litigating Nursing Home Cases, ATLA/National College of Advocacy, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, March 2004.
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Co-Chair, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, Orlando, FL, February 2004.
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Lecturer, "Opening Statements and Today's Special Considerations," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Fall Convention, Orlando, FL, October, 2003
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Lecturer, "Apportionment of Fault in Inadequate Security Cases," National Crime Victim Bar Association 2003 National Conference: Rights, Recourse & Recovery: Civil Litigation for Victims of Crime, Washington, DC, October 2003.
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Lecturer, "Creating and Reinforcing the Trial Story: Presenting the Expert Witness," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA, July 2003.
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Speaker, "Linguistic Minorities", National Employment Lawyers Association, Annual Convention, Vail, CO, June 2003.
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Co-Chair, Litigating Nursing Home Cases, National College of Advocacy, Austin, TX, March 2003.
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Co-Chair and moderator, Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases, National College of Advocacy, Atlanta, GA, February 2003.
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Co-Chair and moderator, Weekend With The Stars annual seminar, National College of Advocacy, New York, NY, Dec. 2002.
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Lecturer, "Effective and Efficient Use of Internet Discovery," Advocacy Track, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Atlanta, Georgia, July 2002.
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Lecturer, "How Daubert Can Help and Hurt Your Case," Annual Jazz Fest seminar, National College of Advocacy/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Orleans, LA, May 2002.
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Lecturer, "Handing the Jury a Package - The Art of a Closing Argument - Lecture and Demonstration," South Dakota Bar Association, Clearwater, FL, March 2002.
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Lecturer and Teaching Faculty, Essentials of Civil Litigation Trial College, National College of Advocacy, Houston, TX, October 2001; Lecturer: "Opening Statement" and "Computers and Technology in the Courtroom".
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Course Chair and Lecturer, "Screening Nursing Home Abuse Cases," Litigating Nursing Home Cases, National College of Advocacy/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Phoenix, AZ, October 2001.
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Lecturer, "The Boob Tube: Making Videotaped Evidence Interesting," Advocacy Track B Trial Psychology and Persuasion, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Montreal, Canada, July 2001.
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Lecturer, "Expert Testimony: How to Deal With Daubert/Kumho Challenges," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Montreal, Canada, July 2001.
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Course Chair, Litigating Nursing Home Cases, National College of Advocacy/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Houston, TX, April 2001.
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Course Chair and Lecturer, "Finding, Selecting and Handling Expert Witnesses," Premises Liability: Inadequate Security and Violent Crimes, National College of Advocacy/Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Miami, FL, March 2001.
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Course Chair, "Misdiagnosis, Mistreatment and Malpractice in the Nursing Home," Failure to Diagnose and Treat Diseases, National College of Advocacy, Waikiki, Hawaii, Feb. 2001.
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Lecturer, "The Nursing Home Industry vs. Government and Advocates: Legislation, Litigation and Bankruptcy", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, New Orleans, LA, February 2001.
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Teaching Faculty and Lecturer, "Finding and Using Experts" and "Negotiation and Settlement Techniques," Medical Trial Skills College, Association of Trial Lawyers of America/National College of Advocacy, Miami, FL January 2001
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Teaching Faculty and Lecturer, Essentials of Civil Litigation Trial College, National College of Advocacy, National Judicial College, Reno, Nevada, October 13-20, 2000.
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Lecturer, "Backyard Hazards: Pools, Trampolines and Other Recreational Dangers," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, July 2000.
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Keynote Speaker, "Recognizing and Evaluating Nursing Home Cases," Monroe County Bar Association luncheon meeting, Key West, FL, April 2000.
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Lecturer, "Demonstration of an Opening Statement: Setting the Stage," Litigating Nursing Home Cases, National College of Advocacy, Las Vegas, NV, March 2000.
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Program Chair, Cooperative Association of Medical Malpractice Attorneys, Winter Conference, Miami, Florida, January, 2000.
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Lecturer, "Courtroom vs. Movie Set: Choreographing Your Case", Rediscovering the Magic: Taking Back Control of the Courtroom, Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, Baltimore, MD, December 1999.
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Lecturer, "Apportionment of Fault: How To Deal with Placing The Perpetrator on the Verdict Form in Inadequate Security Cases", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA, July 1999.
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Lecturer, "Combatting Evidentiary Attacks on Expert Testimony: How to Deal With Daubert", Doubleheader Seminar: Litigating Catastrophically Injured Infant Cases and Inadequate Security and Violent Crimes seminar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Phoenix, AZ, Feb. 1999.
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Lecturer, "Litigating Product Liability Cases," Federal Civil Litigation in Florida seminar, Lorman Education Services, Miami, FL, September 1998.
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Course Chair and Lecturer, "Discovery and Rambo Litigation", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July 1998.
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Lecturer, "Investigating, Preparing and Litigating the Inadequate Security Case," Kansas Trial Lawyers Association Premises Liability Seminar, Overland Park, Kansas, June 1998.
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Lecturer, "Overcoming Tort Reform," How To Practice Law in the Age of Tort Reform: Getting Leaner, Smarter & Tougher, Texas Trial Lawyers Association, Houston, TX, May 1998.
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Lecturer, "Countering the Seat Belt Defense," Jazzfest Seminar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Orleans, LA, April 1998.
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Lecturer, "ATLA Hornbook Series: Inadequate Premises Security", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, Maui, Hawaii, February 1998.
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Course Chair, Moderator and Lecturer, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Educational Program, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Diego, CA, July 1997.
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Course Chair, Moderator and Lecturer, Inadequate Security Education Program, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Diego, CA, July 1997.
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Course Chairman and lecturer, "Terror in the Sky: Security Aboard Airplanes and in Airports", Mega Seminar: Premises Liability: Inadequate Security and Violent Crimes, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Las Vegas, NV, February 1997.
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Course Chair and Moderator, Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway and Premises Liability Section Educational Program, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, Boca Raton, FL, January 1997.
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Course Chair and Moderator, Inadequate Security Education Program, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, Boca Raton, FL, January 1997.
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Lecturer, "Top 10 Things to Look (and Look Out) For in Evaluating Inadequate Security Cases," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Boston, MA, July 1996.
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Lecturer, "Demonstrative Evidence in Settlement and Mediation," Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Boston, MA, July 1996.
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Course Chair, Premises Liability: Inadequate Security & Violent Crimes, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Scottsdale, AZ, February 1996.
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Moderator, "From Classroom to Courtroom", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, New York, NY, July 1995.
- Lecturer, "Preparing, Litigating and Trying the Negligent Security Case", Motor Vehicle Collision, Highway, and Premises Liability Section, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, New York, NY, July 1995.
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Lecturer and Moderator, "Drafting Pleadings and Discovery," From Classroom To Courtroom: Trial Techniques for the New Lawyer, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Redondo Beach, CA, February 1995.
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Lecturer, "Comparative Fault/Joint and Several Liability: Comparing the "Fault" of the Criminal Perpetrator with the Negligence of the Premises Owner", Premises Liability: Inadequate Security & Violent Crimes, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Las Vegas, NV, October 1994.
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Moderator and Chair, Classroom to Courtroom, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Chicago, IL, July 1994.
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Lecturer and Moderator, "Drafting Pleadings and Discovery," From Classroom To Courtroom: The New Lawyer's Start Up Kit, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Miami, FL, Feb. 1994.
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Lecturer, "Depositions: Strategy and Demonstration," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, San Diego, CA, January 1994.
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Lecturer, "Anticipating, Addressing and Defeating Defenses and Exclusions," Premises Liability for Violent Crimes: Legal Issues and Practical Solutions, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Atlanta, GA, November 1993.
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Lecturer, Proving and Disputing Damages, National Business Institute, Miami, Florida, September 1993.
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Lecturer, "Preparing For Trial: The Last 10 Days," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, San Francisco, CA, August 1993.
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Lecturer, "Preparing, Developing, and Trying the Tough Negligent Security Case," Annual New Orleans Jazzfest Seminar: Liability, Causation and Damages, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Orleans, LA, April 1993.
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Lecturer, "Drafting Pleadings and Discovery," From Classroom To Courtroom: The New Lawyer's Start Up Kit, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Los Angeles, CA, February 1993.
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Lecturer, "Cross Examination", Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Washington, D.C., July 1992.
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Lecturer, "Damages," National Business Institute, Miami, FL, February 1992.
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Lecturer, "Real and Necessary Trial Preparation: Preparing for Trial Without Reinventing the Wheel," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Winter Convention, Boca Raton, FL, Jan. 1992.
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Lecturer, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Annual Convention, Toronto, Canada, July 1991.
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Lecturer, "Jury Selection," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Recovering for Psychological Injuries: What You Don't Know Can Hurt Your Client, San Francisco, CA, November 1990.
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Lecturer, "Trial Advocacy," National Business Institute, Miami, FL, November 1990.
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Lecturer, "Determining and Proving Damages," National Business Institute, Miami, FL, July 1990.
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Lecturer, "Winning the Product Liability Case Through Discovery," Kansas Trial Lawyers Association, Warm Weather Seminar, Freeport, Bahamas, February 1990.
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Lecturer, "Movies and Videotapes," Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Demonstrative Evidence Seminar, San Francisco, CA, May 1989.
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Lecturer, "Offer/Demand for Judgment/Settlement - How, When, and Why," Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Winning Cases Without Trial, Fort Lauderdale, FL, Nov. 1988.
PUBLISHED WORKS
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J. Leighton, Litigating Premises Security Cases, Vol. 1 and 2, Thomson/West Publishing, 2006.
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J. Leighton, "Expert Witnesses in Medical Malpractice Cases Do Not Need Further Regulation," Daily Business Review, June 29, 2006.
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J. Leighton, "Apportionment of Fault in Inadequate Security Cases," Victim Advocate, Vol. 4 No. 2, Fall 2003, pp. 3-6.
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J. Leighton, "Prepare For Trial, But Win At Settlement," Trial, Vol. 39 No. 6, June 2003, pp. 26-28.
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J. Leighton, "A World of Words Comes To Court (Linguistic Minorities)," Trial, Vol. 38, No. 8, August 2002, pp. 20-27.
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J. Leighton and M. Sylvester, "Apportionment of Fault in Inadequate Security Cases," Trial, Vol. 37 No. 13, December 2001, pp. 18-25.
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J. Leighton, "Fighting New Defenses in Inadequate Security Cases," Trial, Vol. 35, No. 4, April 2000, pp. 20-25.
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J. Leighton, "The Negligent Security Case: A Primer," Association of Trial Lawyers of America Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section Quarterly, Vol. 5 No. 1, Winter 1999/2000, pp. 1-8.
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J. Leighton, "Are Children Caught in the Seat of Disaster? Child Restraint Systems and Product Liability Cases," Trial, Vol. 34, No. 3, March 1998, pp. 54-64.
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J. Leighton, "Identifying and Evaluating Inadequate Premises Liability Cases", Association of Trial Lawyers of America Motor Vehicle, Highway and Premises Liability Section Quarterly, 1996.
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J. Leighton and S. Laird, Chapter 11: Medical Experts: Coordination of Witnesses, Litigating Spinal Cord Injuries: Law, Medicine, and Economics , (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1995).
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J. Leighton, "Preparing and Trying Inadequate Security Cases," Trial Lawyers Quarterly, Vol. 25 No. 24, New York State Trial Lawyers Association (Summer 1995).
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Cited in Persuasive Jury Communication: Case Studies From Successful Trials, Chapter 10: Persuasion in a Premises Security Case (Shepard's/McGraw-Hill, 1995).
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J. Leighton, "The Recall Process: Removing Defective Juvenile Products from the Market," Product Liability Law Reporter (Vol. 10, pp. 72-73, May 1991).
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J. Leighton, "Make Sure New Toys Will Be Safe Toys," South Florida Parenting, December 1991.
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I. Leesfield and J. Leighton, "Market Share and Concerted Action Theories," 25 Tort & Ins. L.J. 369-401 (1990).
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J. Leighton, "Punitive Damages - Plaintiff's View," Vol. 2, Chapter 18, Product Liability Practice Guide , (Matthew Bender & Co., 1988).
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I. Leesfield and J. Leighton, "Motorcycle Products Liability", Trial, November 1988, pp. 32-41.
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I. Leesfield and J. Leighton, Product Liability: Commentary and Cases , monthly column (Callaghan & Co.) 1985-87.
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J. Leighton, "Market Share Liability: Too Much or Too Little", Products Liability/Commentary & Cases, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1986.
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J. Leighton, "Market Share Liability: The Need for a Uniform Market Share Liability Act," Trial, November 1985, pp.83-89.
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I. Leesfield and J. Leighton, "Why Police Officers Can't Recover For Injuries Due To Someone Else's Negligence", Heat, Police Benevolent Association, November, 1985.
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J. Leighton, "Punitive Damages in Florida," Final Report of the Florida Bar Commission on Tort Litigation , 1984.
PAST LEGAL EMPLOYMENT
Summer Associate, Donovan Leisure Newton & Irvine, New York City (1984).
SIGNIFICANT REPORTED CASES
- Buirley v. Aluma Systems, 494 So.2d 1156 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1986)
- Johnston v. Halliday, 516 So.2d 84 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1987)
- Amore v. G.D. Searle & Co., 748 F.Supp. 845 (S.D. Fla. 1990)
- White v. Am-Sprad Metals, Inc., 583 So.2d 769 (Fla. 4th DCA 1991)
- Rivas v. Freeman, 940 F.2d 1491 (11th Cir. 1991)
- Publix Super Markets, Inc. v. Jeffery, 650 So.2d 122 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1995)
- Floval Oil Corp. v. Munoz, 679 So.2d 286 (Fla. 3rd DCA 1996)
- Barnes v. City of Coral Gables, 149 F.3d 1195 (11th Cir. 1998)
- Doe v. HGI Realty, Inc., 254 Ga.App 181 (Ga. App. 2002)
- Doe v. HGI Realty, Inc., 561 S.E.2d 450 (Ga. App. 2002)
- Adventist Health System/Sunbelt v. Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury, 865 So.2d 561 (Fla. 5th DCA, en banc 2004)
- Adventist Health System/Sunbelt v. Florida Birth-Related Neurological Injury, 882 So.2d 384, rev. den. (Fla. 2004)
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
- Temple Beth Am, Miami, Florida, Board of Directors (2004-), Committee of 100
- Cocoplum Civic Association (Vice President, 2001-2002 )
- Dade County Comprehensive Pro Bono Project, "Put Something Back" participant
- Miami Council for International Visitors (Board of Directors, 2001-03)
PERSONAL DATA
- Born April 14, 1959, San Francisco, CA
- Licensed race car driver










