education

University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1976)
University of Florida (B.A., 1968)

related practices

related industries

bar admissions

Florida

court admissions

Florida State Courts
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
Trial Bar - U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Gregory M. Cesarano

Shareholder

Miami

T: 305.539.7417

F: 305.530.0055

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Greg Cesarano focuses his trial practice on defense of corporations and manufacturers in both products liability and commercial claims. During his career he has successfully represented the interests of clients in cases involving motor vehicles, power equipment, aircraft accidents, boats, and many other types of products. He also litigates claims related to trade secrets, covenants not to compete, breach of contract, shareholder disputes, fiduciary duty, interference and related business torts.

Mr. Cesarano's 36+ years of trial experience includes substantial work defending airlines, manufacturers, businesses and property owners against wrongful death and serious personal injury claims as well as general collection, foreclosure, UCC and other business and commercial litigation matters. He has been board certified as a Civil Trial Lawyer by The Florida Bar for more than 25 years.

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Representative Matters
- Substantial work defending products manufacturers and corporate defendants against personal injury claims.
- Representation of major vehicle manufacturer in defense of wrongful death and serious bodily injury claims.
- Representation of major air carrier in defense of wrongful death claims arising out of international airliner crash.
Reported Decisions
- Mark Carter v. Enerco, Inc. and Mr. Heater – Lake County, Florida; October 31, 2011 – November 2, 2011. Product liability claim. Lead trial counsel in case where Mark Carter suffered second and third degree burns over 15% of his body from an outdoor propane heater. He claimed the heater was defective due to inadequate shielding and warnings. Verdict for Defendant.
- Julian Felipe v. Ford Motor Company – Broward County, Florida; June 14, 2007 – July 26, 2007. Product liability claim. Co-trial counsel in case where Julian Felipe was rendered an incomplete paraplegic when the Ford mini-van in which he was riding as a passenger overturned. He claimed the roof of the mini-van was of insufficient strength to withstand the rollover forces. Verdict for Plaintiff that was settled during appeal.
- Donna Grimes v. Ford Motor Company – Palm Beach County, Florida; April 11, 2005 – May 16, 2005 (Mistrial); Retried April 23, 2007 – May 31, 2007. Product liability claim. Co-trial counsel in case where Donna Grimes was rendered quadriplegic in an automobile accident, and claimed the seat in her Ford Explorer was defective. First jury was deadlocked. Second jury returned verdict for Plaintiff that was settled during appeal.
- Sylvia Allen, as Personal Representative of the Estate of James Robert Allen, deceased v. R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., et. al. U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; February 3, 2003 – February 28, 2003. Product liability claim. Co-trial counsel in case where Sylvia Allen, as personal Representative of the estate of James Robert Allen, sought damages for the death of her husband. Plaintiff alleged her husband died of lung cancer as a result of smoking cigarettes. Verdict for the Defendants.
- Ryder Communications, Inc., a Florida corporation, and David Ryder v. American Telephone and Telegraph, Inc., a Foreign Corporation, No. 04-12454, 2005 WL 327498. Trial counsel in breach of contract action for withholding payment, lost profits and loss of business. Verdict for Plaintiff offset by Judgment entered for Defendant on counterclaim for breach of contract.
- Ricky S. McLemore, et al v. Honda Motor Company, Ltd., et al. - Broward County, Florida, October 4, 2000 - November 17, 2000. Product liability, personal injury claim. Co-trial counsel in case in which plaintiff, a 40 year old married male was riding a Honda all terrain vehicle, which struck a rock and overturned, resulting in serious brain damage and total disability. Claim that ATV was inherently unstable and therefore unreasonably dangerous and defective. Verdict for Defendants.
- Florencia Espinosa Vidal as pers. rep. of the Estate of Maria de Jesus Espinosa Vidal v. American Airlines, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; August 17, 1998-August 20,1998. Wrongful death, damages only. Trial counsel in case arising out of airline crash near Cali, Colombia, involving six claimants, all children of the decedent. Liability had been determined in a prior proceeding. Final judgment $1,707,000.
- Fabiola Lozada as pers. rep. of the Estate of Adolfo Leon Lozada, deceased v. American Airlines, Inc., U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; July 20, 1998-July 24, 1998. Wrongful death, damages only. Trial counsel in case arising out of airline crash near Cali, Colombia, involving three claimants, spouse and two children of the decedent. Liability had been determined in a prior proceeding. Final judgment $1,804,800.
- Domingo Gomez Ortiz, as Executor, Administrator and/or Personal Representative of the Estate of Luis Fernando Gomez Herrera, deceased v. American Airlines, Inc., U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida; August 10, 1998 - August 12, 1998. Wrongful death, damages only. Trial counsel in case arising out of airline crash near Cali, Colombia, involving two claimants, the parents of the decedent. Liability had been determined in a prior proceeding. Final judgment $1,300,000.
- Cornell v. Honda - Manatee County, Florida, June 5, 1995-June 15, 1995. Product liability, wrongful death. Co-trial counsel in claim that wiring in the tail light of a Honda automobile was defective, resulting in a “transient arc” and short circuit, which ignited the materials in the trunk of the vehicle, and burned the automobile and its occupant, a 24 year old unmarried male. The claim was brought by his parents. Verdict for Defendant.
- Weaver v. Honda - Broward County, Florida, May, 1996. Product liability, personal injury claim. Co-trial counsel in case in which plaintiff, a 23 year old unmarried male was riding a Honda all terrain vehicle, which overturned, resulting in complete quadriplegia. Claim that the ATV was inherently unstable, and therefore unreasonably dangerous and defective. Verdict for Defendant.
- NBC Aviation, Inc. v. Challenge Air Cargo, Inc. - Dade County, Florida, 637 So. 2d 390 (Fla. 3d DCA 1994). Trial counsel in breach of contract action for failure to complete sale of jet engines worth $400,000. Verdict for Defendant.
- Schoen v. Gilbert, 436 So. 2d 75 (Fla. 1983). Trial counsel in personal injury premises liability claim, in which Florida Supreme Court found that a difference in floor levels in a residence does not constitute a dangerous condition requiring a warning.

Publications

05.02.2011	“Voir Dire For Today’s World,” CLE Program - Voir Dire in Bits and Bytes: Using Technology and Cutting Edge Techniques in Jury Selection, ABA Annual Meeting (May 2011).
12.01.2009	“Courtroom Technology: The Promise of the Future Begins Now,” Tort Source (Winter 2009).
04.01.2006	“Cross Examine That Doctor Without a Deposition,” Trial Techniques Committee Newsletter (Spring 2006).
more

Speaking Engagements
- “Hard Times: Jury Trials During the Recession,” ABA/TIPS Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation seminar (April 9, 2010).
- “Masters of the Courtroom: A Display of Innovative and Proven Trial Techniques,” ABA Trial Techniques Committee seminar, Phoenix AZ (March 6 & 7, 2008).
- “Volunteerism, The Act of Giving,” ACC Alumni Directors’ Conference (March 7, 2007).
- “Basic Federal Practice 2007 – Trial Preparation/Trial Strategies,” The Florida Bar, Young Lawyers Division (March 29, 2007).
Professional Recognition
- AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Recipient of the 2011 Henry King Stanford Alumnus of the Year Award
- Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers (2006-2011)
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (2011-2012) edition
- Recipient of the Thomas Davison, III Memorial Service Award
Professional and Civic Activities
- The Florida Bar
  Standing Committee on Professionalism (2011-2013)
  Judicial Evaluation and Administration Committee (2007-present)
  Eleventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission (2002-2006)
  Vice-Chair, Unlicensed Practice of Law Committee "11B" (1998-2001)
  Chair, Eleventh Circuit Grievance Committee "L" (1997)
  Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee (1992-1995) and (1999-2005)
- American Bar Association
  Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
  Trial Techniques Committee
  Chair-Elect (2008)
  Chair (2009)
- Defense Research Institute
- Florida Defense Lawyers Association
- Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel
- Trustee, University of Miami (2003-2009)
- President, University of Miami Alumni Association (2005-2007)
- University of Miami School of Law Visiting Committee
- Iron Arrow Honor Society
- Vice-Chair, Trustree, Historical Association of Southern Florida Foundation
- Former Chair, Family Counseling Services
- Former Chair, Informed Families of Dade County, Inc.
News

02.15.2012

Law360 Ranks Four Carlton Fields’ Practice Groups as Largest in the Industry

04.25.2011

University of Miami honors Gregory M. Cesarano as “Alumnus of the Year”