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Jonathan R. Weiss
Partner
Jonathan R. Weiss is a partner in the firm’s Litigation Practice and resident in the Miami office. He is an accomplished litigator and trial lawyer, regularly representing clients in complex commercial litigation before state and federal courts, including all manner of contract disputes in the areas of real estate and construction, intellectual property and trade secret business disputes.
Jonathan has a particular focus in the area of real estate litigation, representing REITs, developers, commercial property owners and management companies in landlord/tenant, contract and construction disputes.
Jonathan is actively involved in coaching the University of Miami School of Law Moot Court Board in national competitions for appellate advocacy.
- Lead trial counsel on behalf of an international investment fund and its principals in a business dispute involving claims of fraudulent misrepresentation and defamation. Prevailing on all counts, the jury awarded damages of US$490,000 for fraudulent misrepresentation and defamation.
- Lead counsel defending a publicly-traded REIT in a class action dispute arising from COVID-19-related claims, resulting in complete dismissal.
- Obtaining summary judgment in the Middle District of Florida on behalf of an international metal distributor in a dispute with its metal supplier. Both parties alleged a breach of the long-term take-or-pay supply agreement, including damages of US$80 million. Serving as lead counsel.
- Serving as defense counsel for a design-build general contractor in the tragic Florida International University pedestrian bridge collapse. Handled on-site investigation, counseling, media response, crisis management, coordination with state and federal regulators, and defense and resolution of 15 consolidated wrongful death and personal injury lawsuits.
- Trial counsel to Parlux Fragrances, defending a lawsuit arising from the alleged breach of a high-profile licensing agreement. Obtained a complete defense verdict.
- Serving as lead national counsel for an international watch manufacturer and its subsidiaries arising from commercial transactions, overseeing the litigation team in California, New York, New Jersey and Florida.
- Obtaining numerous summary judgments as lead counsel in commercial disputes on behalf of a publicly-traded REIT, successfully obtaining judgments in excess of US$5 million in contract damages.
- Obtained full indemnity on behalf of one of the largest real estate development firms in Miami Dade County, as lead defense counsel, with regard to a catastrophic construction accident, in which plaintiffs sought in excess of US$10 million.
- Lead defense counsel in a statutory dram shop lawsuit on behalf of a preeminent restaurant franchise, resulting in complete dismissal of all claims on substantive and procedural grounds.
- Lead trial counsel for a fire extinguisher distributor in regard to product liability for a malfunctioning fire extinguisher, alleged to have caused more than US$5 million in damage to a fine art gallery. Obtained a complete defense verdict and recovered attorneys’ fees and costs.
- Lead trial counsel for one of the largest insurance companies in the country in a quasi-contractual coverage dispute, in which plaintiff sought millions of dollars in damages. Obtained a complete defense verdict.
- Lead defense counsel for an environmental consulting firm with regard to a catastrophic construction accident resulting from the removal of underground storage tanks at a gas station site.
- Served as lead counsel defending an internationally known celebrity and entrepreneur accused of assaulting paparazzi.
Education
- University of Miami School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2008
- University of Pennsylvania, B.A., 2005
Admissions
- District of Columbia, 2013
- Florida, 2008
Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Memberships & Affiliations
- Young Lawyer Division of Florida Bar
- Greater Miami Jewish Federation
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)
- American Civil Liberties Union
- University of Miami School of Law, Order of Barristers
Languages
- English
- Spanish
- Named “On the Rise” by the Daily Business Review’s Professional Excellence Awards (2020)
- Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine (2015-2018)
- Awarded the Golden Gavel for Litigation Excellence (2014)
- Selected as a “Top Up and Comer” by Florida Trend’s Florida Legal Elite (2010-2012)