education

University of Florida Fredric G. Levin College of Law (J.D., 2000), with honors
University of North Carolina at Asheville (B.A., 1997), with distinction

related practices

clerkships

Judge Fred Hazouri, Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal

bar admissions

Florida

court admissions

Florida State Courts
United States Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

spoken languages

Spanish

Cristina Alonso

Shareholder

Miami

T: 305.539.7339

F: 305.530.0055

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Cristina Alonso handles all aspects of appellate litigation in state and federal court, including brief writing and oral argument. She has handled over 60 appellate matters and 8 appellate oral arguments in Florida, as well as other states. Ms. Alonso also provides legal assistance at trial and has served as appellate counsel at over 17 trials. Her work includes providing litigation support, including drafting and arguing complex pre-trial motions, case dispositive motions, jury instructions and post-trial motions. Her areas of concentration are complex commercial litigation, mass tort litigation, insurance defense, health care and products liability defense.

Cristina Alonso is board certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar and AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She has been listed by The National Law Journal as one of the 40 Minorities under 40 of 2011, Florida Super Lawyers as a 2011 Rising Star, Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite 2011 edition, and was recognized as one of “The Most Effective Lawyers” of 2009 in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties by the Daily Business Review. She will also be the recipient of the Florida Diversity Council's 2012 Glass Ceiling Award.

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Representative Matters
Select Appellate Matters

Health Care Industry Matters:
- West Fla. Reg’l Med. Ctr., Inc. v. See, No. SC09-1997, 37 Fla. L. Weekly S22, 2012 WL 87282 (Fla. Jan. 12, 2012). Interpretation and application of Amendment 7.
- Simon v. Maldonado, 65 So. 3d 8 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011). Successfully obtained a reversal of the trial court’s decision to grant a new trial in a medical malpractice action that resulted in a defense verdict. The case involved issues of alleged juror misconduct and nondisclosure of information, cross-examination of the defendant doctor as to collateral-issues and inclusion of subsequent treating physician on verdict form.
- Neil v. Surgical Park Ctr., Ltd., 36 So. 3d 107 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). Successfully defended against plaintiff’s petition for certiorari regarding Amendment 7 discovery.
- Telasco v. Brzostowicki, 26 So. 3d 594 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). Applicability of Amendment 7, The Patients' Right to Know Act.
Insurance Industry Matters:
- Allstate Life Insurance v. Miller, 424 F.3d 1113 (11th Cir. 2005). Contestability of life insurance policy and imposter fraud.
- Altamonte Springs Imaging, L.C. v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins., 12 So. 3d 850 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Affirming class action settlement that resolves for one insurer on a statewide basis the computation and payment methodology for a statutory consumer price index adjustment due medical providers for magnetic resonance imaging services under section 627.736(5)(b)(5), Florida Statutes.
- American Home Assur. Co. v. Junger, 982 So. 2d 90 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008). Cancellation of insurance policy.
- Sherman v. Manufacturer's Life Ins. Co., 952 So. 2d 1200 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Class Action settlement and jurisdiction.
Business Litigation Matters:
- MYD Marine Distributor, Inc. v. Int’l Paint Ltd., No. 4D10-2833, 2011 WL 6183519, 36 Fla. L. Weekly D2724 (Fla. 4th DCA Dec. 14, 2011). Marine paint distributor brought action against paint manufacturer and competing distributors alleging antitrust violations.
- Alonso v. Ocean Bank, 43 So. 3d 170 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010). Successfully obtained affirmance of foreclosure judgment.
- Gonzalez v. BankUnited, FSB, 36 So. 3d 684 (Fla. 4th DCA 2010). Successfully obtained affirmance of foreclosure judgment.
- Jallali v. Nova Southeastern Univ., Inc., 992 So. 2d 338 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008). Obtained reversal of jury verdict in suit against University for dismissal of student without doctorate of osteopathic degree.
- Gayer v. Fine Line Const. & Elec., Inc., 2 So. 3d 296 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008). Employer liability for spoliation of evidence.
- Johnson v. Pires, 968 So. 2d 700 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007). Compelling corporate officer to arbitrate.
- Manheim Auctions Gov’t Servs. v. Mejia, 930 So. 2d 657 (Fla. 3d DCA 2006). Vicarious liability, bailment and additur.
- Mathews v. Urezzio, 865 So. 2d 513 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004). Enforceability of settlement agreement.
- Canelon v. Hospitality Restoration & Builders, 853 So. 2d 424 (Fla. 3d DCA 2003). Successor liability.
- Vazquez v. City of Hialeah Gardens, 874 So. 2d 626 (Fla. 3d DCA 2004). Hostile work environment and constructive discharge claims.
Products Liability Matters:
- Reynolds American, Inc. v. Gero, 56 So. 3d 117 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011). Successfully obtained reversal of trial court orders denying two defendants’ motions to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction under Florida’s long-arm statute.
- Turley v. Ford Motor Co., 27 So. 3d 36 (Fla. 2d DCA 2010). Admissibility of expert testimony.
- Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 21 So. 3d 99 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Quashing order declaring a product a public hazard under the Sunshine in Litigation Act.
- Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 5 So. 3d 786 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009). Granting petition for writ of certorari, quashing order allowing plaintiff to allege punitive damages claim.
- Detroit Diesel Corp. v. Atlantic Mut. Ins. Co., 18 So. 3d 618 (Fla. 4th DCA 2009). Interpretation of written product warranty.
- Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 997 So. 2d 1148 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008). Attorney-client and work product privilege.
- Lopez v. Ford Motor Co., 970 So. 2d 365 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Dismissal of case as sanction for plaintiff’s perjured testimony.
- Lindsey v. BellSouth Tele., Inc., 943 So. 2d 963 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006). Intervening cause in products liability action.
- Force v. Ford Motor Co., 879 So. 2d 103 (Fla. 5th DCA 2004). Products liability and jury instruction issues.
Matters Involving Constitutional And Statutory Issues:
- D'Angelo v. Fitzmaurice, 863 So. 2d 311 (Fla. 2003). Amicus Brief on behalf of Florida Defense Lawyers Association concerning set-off of settlement amounts.
- Fl. Dep’t of Children & Families v. E.L.A., 46 So. 3d 1109 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). Amicus Brief on behalf of the National Center for Lesbian Rights on unconstitutionality of state statute barring gays from adopting.
- Embry v. Ryan, 11 So. 3d 408 (Fla. 2d DCA 2009). Successfully argued Florida must recognize out of state adoptions by same-sex couples.
- Miller v. Miller, 972 So. 2d 193 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Jurisdiction over child custody determination (pro bono).
- Belizaire v. State, 892 So. 2d 1022 (Fla. 2d DCA 2004). Probable cause for stop and search of motor vehicle (pro bono).

Publications

12.21.2011	Client Resource: Trial Checklist (December 2011).
11.09.2011	Client Alert: Court Limits Records Ordered Produced Under “Patient’s Right to Know” Amendment (November 2011).
08.17.2011	Client Alert: Acevedo v. Doctors Hospital, Inc. (August 2011).
more

Speaking Engagements
- Basic Appellate Practice Seminar, Faculty and Steering Committee (March 30-31, 2006; Sept. 7-8, 2006; Oct. 2010).
- "Real World: Lobbying," Program Co-Chair, Young Lawyer's Governmental Affairs Symposium (January 19, 2007).
- “The Appropriate Role of the Three Co-Equal Branches of Government,” Steering Committee, Young Lawyer’s Division Governmental Affairs Symposium (March 24, 2006).
- “Getting Involved in The Florida Bar,” Panel Discussion, University of Miami (2005) and University of Florida (2006).
- Practicing with Professionalism Seminar, Program Chair (September 2005; August 2008; January 2011).
Professional Recognition
- Named as one of the “Minority 40 Under 40" by The National Law Journal (2011).
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Appellate Practice
- Selected by Florida Super Lawyers as a 2010-2011 Florida Rising Star
- Recognized as one of “The Most Effective Lawyers” of 2009 in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties by Daily Business Review
- Listed as a “Top Up-and-Comer” in the South Florida Legal Guide in 2010
- Listed in Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite 2011 edition and as an “Up-and-Comer” in the 2007-2008 editions.
- Named as an “Up-and-Comer” by South Florida Business Journal in 2008 and 2009
- The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, Board of Governors’ Most Productive Board Member of the Year (2007)
- Recipient of Carlton Fields' Pro Bono Publico Award (2010)
- Pro Bono Service Award from Legal Services of Greater Miami (2008)
Professional and Civic Activities
- American Bar Association
  Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
  Vice-Chair, Trial Techniques Committee (2011-present)
  Litigation Section, Appellate Practice Committee
  Chair, Membership/Professional and Social Networking Subcommittee (2011-present)
  Co-Chair, Young Lawyers Subcommittee (2004-2011)
- Florida Delegate to Young Lawyers Division Assembly (2005-2008)
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow
- National Center for State Courts, Lawyers Committee, Founding Member and Co-Chair of Young Lawyers Section (2008-present)
- The Florida Bar
  Appellate Practice Section, Pro Bono Committee (2004-present)
  Young Lawyers Division, Board of Governors
  11th Circuit Representative (2005-2011)
  Chair, Pro Bono and Community Involvement Committee (2009-2010)
  Chair, Affiliate Outreach Conference (2008-2009)
  Chair, Continuing Legal Education Committee (2007-2008)
  Co-Chair, Governmental Affairs Committee (2006-2007)
  Editor, Across the Bar Newsletter (2006-2007)
  Chair, Diversity Committee (2005-2006)
  Parliamentarian (2004-2005)
- The Florida Bar Foundation, Board of Directors (2009-2010)
- Florida Legal Services Inc., Board of Directors (2004-2010)
  President (2009-2010),
  President-Elect (2008-2009)
  Secretary (2007-2008)
  Treasurer (2006-2007)
- The Florida Supreme Court Historical Society
- The Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society
- Leadership Miami, Class of 2007-2008
- Defense Research Institute
  Diversity Liaison, Appellate Advocacy Committee (2002-2006)
- Hispanic National Bar Association
  Delegate to the ABA Young Lawyers Division (2004)
  Law Student Division, Regional President (1998-1999)
- Dade County Bar Association
  Appellate Court Committee (2002-2006)
  Young Lawyers Section Pro Bono Services Committee (2002-2011)
- Cuban American Bar Association (2000-present)
- University of Florida, Alumni Matching Program (2009-present)
- American Cancer Society, Relay for Life Key Biscayne, Firm's Team Co-Captain (2004)
- Hands on Miami, Firm's Team Leader (2003 & 2005)
- Florida International University College of Law Mentor (2003-2006)
Background
- Staff Attorney, Judge Fred Hazouri, Fourth District Court of Appeal, State of Florida (2000-2002)
- Certified Legal Intern, Office of the State Attorney, 5th Judicial Circuit of Florida, Ocala, Florida (January 2000-May 2000)
- Judicial Law Clerk, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida, Miami, FL (May 1999-August 1999)

News

11.21.2011	Cristina Alonso Named to Minority 40 Under 40 List by The National Law Journal
12.09.2009	Carlton Fields Attorneys Recognized Among "Most Effective Lawyers" in South Florida
06.30.2009	Cristina Alonso Elected President of the Board of Directors of Florida Legal Services, Inc. (FLS)