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Attorney Joel Ewusiak to Present Educational Seminar at The Allegro at East Lake Posted September 3, 2010 Joel Ewusiak will be presenting to residents at The Allegro at East Lake on Wednesday, September 8th, at 1:30pm on "How to Avoid a Ponzi Scheme and Investments Subject to Frequent Abuse".
If you are in the East Lake area, and would like to attend, please contact Brook Sneath at (813) 289-0700 for more information. TrueNetRadio.com
Posted September 3, 2010 Truesdell.TV, or TrueNetRadio.com, is hosted by Paul and Kellean Truesdell at The Truesdell Professional Building in Ocala, FL. The show consists of weekly broadcasts which are live each Thursday at 6:30pm, and discuss a wide range of consumer focused topics. Sample broadcast topics for 2010 include Real Estate & Charitable Trusts, The Amazing Retirement Plan, Economics, Estate Distribution Options, Monte Carlo, Affinity Fraud, Florida Estate Planning Documents, Individual or Joint Revocable Trusts, Medicaid, Long-Term Care, and Asset Protection Planning, Senior Adult Scams, Longevity Insurance, Home Repair Scams and Con-Artists, Litigation, and much more. Attorney Joel Ewusiak's presented the topic, "How to Avoid a Ponzi Scheme and Investments Subject to Frequent Abuse", on August 31.
To view the show and for a list of upcoming shows, go to http://radio.truesdell.net/. Joel Ewusiak's Broadcast Is Available Online
Posted September 1, 2010 Video from Joel Ewusiak's discussion on "How to Avoid a Ponzi Scheme and Investments Subject to Frequent Abuse" on True Net Radio is now available online at http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/9272504. Joel Ewusiak to Broadcast Live at TrueNetRadio.com
Posted August 31, 2010 Joel Ewusiak will be broadcasting live on Tuesday, August 31, at TrueNetRadio.com at 6:30pm (EST). The broadcast is entitled "How to Avoid a Ponzi Scheme and Investments Subject to Frequent Abuse". He will cover such topics as Warning Signs, Research, Arbitration and Litigation, Suitability of Investments, and more.
To view the show, visit the following link: http://radio.truesdell.net/. Class Actions Filed Against Florida Timeshare Companies
Posted August 30, 2010
Tampa, Florida. Michael Starke, an owner of several timeshare interests, filed nationwide class actions against two Florida timeshare resale companies, namely, PFS Concepts, Inc. (d/b/a US Vacation) and Timeshare Resales and Travel, LLC. Mr. Starke alleges that both companies violated the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the Florida Telemarketing Act, and the Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act. On behalf of himself and others similarly situated, Mr. Starke seeks to change the way these timeshare companies solicit and charge consumers for their services.
Mr. Starke alleges that each company solicited him via their telemarketing operations, representing that many buyers were “ready and willing” to purchase his timeshare interest. The companies then immediately charged Mr. Starke’s credit card, without a written signed contract with him. Further, the companies never disclosed the ratio or percentage of the number of listings of timeshare interests for sale versus the number of timeshare interests sold by the company for the past two calendar years. These actions are all in contravention of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, Florida Telemarketing Act, and Florida Vacation Plan and Timesharing Act.
The class actions have been filed in Pinellas County, Florida. The law firm of Forizs and Dogali, P.A. represents Mr. Starke in these class actions. For any questions, please contact attorney Joel Ewusiak (
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) or attorney Jacqueline Wood (
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) at (813) 289-0700. Mark Sandag teaches Fall Torts class at HCC
Posted August 17, 2010
Mark Sandag's Fall Semester of Torts class begins the last week of August at Hillsborough Community College. Lindsay Galloway joins F&D
Posted August 16, 2010
Lindsay Galloway joins the firm as an Associate. She was a Summer Intern at the firm in 2008 and 2009, and graduated from Florida State University College of Law in May, 2010. Welcome, Lindsay! Jackie Wood to Work With The Woman Advocate Newsletter
Posted July 15, 2010
Starting in Fall 2010, Jackie will be working on The Woman Advocate Newsletter as editor.
Joel Ewusiak Quoted in the Herald Tribune
Posted July 13, 2010
Beau Diamond's victims face lawsuits - July 9, 2010
Already crippled by Beau Diamond's foreign currency trading fiasco, some of his larger former investors now find themselves defendants in separate federal lawsuits seeking back any money Diamond paid out to them during the course of the alleged ponzi scheme.
This latest volley of litigation is picking up steam just as Diamond, 32, goes to trial next week in Tampa's federal court on 18 felony counts, including fraud, illegal monetary transactions and transportation of stolen property:http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20100709/ARTICLE/7091017/2083/NEWS?Title=Beau-Diamond-s-victims-face-lawsuits
Forizs & Dogali Welcomes New Attorney, Mark Sandag
Posted July 13, 2010
Mark Sandag joined Forizs & Dogali on July 12th. Mr. Sandag has been practicing law since 1998 in three different states. He has been practicing in Florida since 2004 after beginning his career in the New York and New Jersey area. He handles family law matters such as dissolutions, paternity matters, domestic violence injunction issues, family law mediation, modification of support awards, and the development of parenting plans. Mr. Sandag also handles other civil matters such as complex commercial and construction litigation matters, toxic and other tort cases, and insurance defense matters including automotive matter and general liability claims.
In addition, Mr. Sandag is also an adjunct professor at Hillsborough Community College where he teaches night classes in the paralegal studies program at the Ybor City campus. Subjects he has taught include Family Law, Torts, Contract Law, and Criminal Law and Procedure. He attended St. John's University School of Law and recieved his Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Florida.
We extend a warm welcome to Mark and are excited to have him be a part of F&D! Class Action Filed Against Disney for Violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act
Posted July 8, 2010
Tampa, Florida and Los Angeles, California - Cari Shields and Amber Boggs, two visually impaired annual pass holders at the Disney parks, have filed a nationwide class action against The Walt Disney Company and its subsidiaries which own Disneyland, Disney’s California Adventure, and Walt Disney World, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. On behalf themselves and others similarly situated, Mrs. Boggs and Ms. Shields seek to change various Disney’s policies which unfairly treat the blind. For example, they demand that Disney change its policy of not allowing costumed characters to interact with visually impaired guests who visit the park with their service animals. This policy is enforced even when Mrs. Boggs visits the parks with her fully-sighted children.
Mrs. Boggs and Ms. Shields allege other violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. They are not seeking monetary damages, but only demand that Disney provide more reasonable accommodations for the visually impaired, such as portable Braille maps of the parks, areas to cage or leave service animals during rides, reduced or free admission for service aides, keyed rather than digital lockers, Braille menus in the park restaurants, and adequate lodging for service animal while visually impaired guests visit the park.
“Mrs. Boggs and Ms. Shields simply expect Disney to provide reasonable and fair accommodations to visually impaired guests who visit the parks, in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act”, said their attorney, Andy Dogali, of the Tampa, Florida law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.A. “The reasonable accommodations we demand will provide a more joyful experience for visually impaired guests in Disney’s parks, where visitors’ dreams are supposed to come true”.
The class action has been filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court of California. The law firms of Forizs and Dogali, P.A. and Eugene Feldman, Attorney at Law, represent the Mrs. Boggs and Ms. Shields in this class action. For any questions, please contact attorney Brian Hohman at (813) 289-0700 or Gene Feldman at (310) 372-4636. Haley Maple Named BusinessWoman of the Year Finalist
Posted July 6, 2010
Haley Maple was selected to Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2010 BusinessWoman of the Year finalists. Finalists were chosen from over 300 nominations, a record number for the event: http://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay/stories/2010/06/28/daily50.html?ana=e_du_pap.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against National City Bank for Excessive Finance Charges and Conflicting Agreements
Posted June 15, 2010
Jessica Pownall, a customer of National City Bank, has filed a class action lawsuit against PNC Bank, who recently merged with National City Bank, on behalf of herself and other customers like her. In the lawsuit, filed by Andy Dogali of Forizs and Dogali, P.A. and David P. Meyer & Associates, Co., LPA, Ms. Pownall alleges that PNC Bank, who was operating as National City Bank, charged Pownall and others like her excessive finance charges in violation of the Truth in Lending Act. Furthermore, Pownall alleges on behalf of the class that the Defendant issued credit card agreements and monthly statements that were vague and contradictory, causing customers to incur excessive finance charges for paying their credit card bill at a bank branch on its due date.
“We hope this case will force National City Bank, now known as PNC Bank, to comply with federal law and give their customers clear information they need to simply pay their bill” says an attorney for Ms. Pownall, Andy Dogali. Further, Dogali stated, “we believe that there are thousands of customers like Jessica who have been charged excessive finance charges for paying their bill on the day it was due.”
The lawsuit has been filed in the Northern District of Ohio by the law firms of Forizs and Dogali, P.A., based out of Tampa, Florida and David P. Meyer & Associates, Co., LPA, based out of Columbus, Ohio. For further information, please contact Brook Sneath at (813) 289-0700. Attorney Haley Maple has been Nominated for TBBJ's 2010 BusinessWoman of the Year Awards
Posted June 8, 2010
Forizs & Dogali, P.A. is pleased to announce attorney Haley Maple has been nominated for the Tampa Bay Business Journal's prestigious 2010 BusinessWoman of the Year Awards. Finalists will be chosen by a distinguished panel of judges in the business community of Tampa Bay. Congratulations, Haley, and good luck! To read Haley's bio, click here. Forizs & Dogali, P.A. welcomes Summer Associate, David Dombeck
Posted June 3, 2010 David Dombeck joins the firm as our 2010 Summer Associate. David is currently a rising 3L at the University of Georgia School of Law. He has an undergraduate degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology in Civil Engineering with a focus on Environmental Engineering.
A few interesting things about David: he has run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain; he considers himself to be a decent snowboarder; and is a huge soccer fan looking forward to the start of the World Cup.
Welcome to the firm, David! Gulf Coast Oil Spill Claims for Florida Residents and Businesses
Posted June 2, 2010
Millions of Americans have been affected by the Gulf Coast Oil Spill. If you are a Florida resident or business owner and have experienced financial loss, you may be entitled to compensation. If you are located in Panama City, Destin, Fort Walton, Apalachicola, Port St. Joe, or other areas in the Florida Panhandle and have been negatively impacted due to actual or anticipated lost wages, lost job, business interruption or disruption, a decrease in property value, have been injured or developed illnesses, you may contact Forizs & Dogali, P.A. to learn the next steps you should take in determining whether you may be able to pursue a claim for your losses. You may contact Andy Dogali via email at
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or Joel Ewusiak via email at
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for more information. F&D Attorneys named Florida Super Lawyers & Rising Stars 2010
Posted May 27, 2010
Forizs & Dogali, P.A. is pleased to announce that Andy Dogali and Lee Atkinson have been selected for inclusion in 2010 Florida Super Lawyers. Joel Ewusiak and Haley Maple were selected for inclusion in 2010 Florida Super Lawyers Rising Stars. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are named by Super Lawyers.
The selections for this esteemed list are made by the research team at Super Lawyers, which is a service of the Thomson Reuters, Legal division based in Eagan, MN. Each year, the research team at Super Lawyers undertakes a rigorous multi-phase selection process that includes a statewide survey of lawyers, independent evaluation of candidates by the attorney-led research staff, a peer review of candidates by practice area, and a good-standing and disciplinary check.
Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes Super Lawyers magazines across the country. In addition to the magazines, Thomson Reuters, Legal publishes newspaper inserts and magazine special sections devoted to Super Lawyers. In 2010, Super Lawyers will reach more than 15 million readers.
Super Lawyers was first published in 1991 by Law & Politics and was acquired by Thomson Reuters, Legal in February 2010. Thomson Reuters is the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Super Lawyers can be found online at superlawyers.com where lawyers can be searched by practice area and location.
For more information, please contact Brook Sneath at
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.
Résumé Mistakes That Can Cost You an Interview
Posted May 26, 2010
Attorneys Haley Maple and Joel Ewusiak's article on resume "don'ts" is featured on the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division website. To read the article, click here.
For more information, please contact Haley Maple,
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or Joel Ewusiak,
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.
4 Steps to Securities Arbitration
Posted April 13, 2010
Attorney Joel Ewusiak discusses filing claims against stockbrokers, and how to determine whether the claim is legitimate. To read more from Joel and learn the four steps you should take when filing a claim, click here.
For more information, please contact Joel Ewusiak,
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. Brian Hohman appointed ABA YLD Law Student Division Liaison
Posted April 12, 2010
Brian Hohman has been appointed to serve as the ABA YLD Law Student Division Liaison for a two year period, from 2010 - 2012.
Attorney Hope Dogali to co-chair the 24th Annual Star Power Celebrity Fashion ShowPosted on March 24, 2010 The ladies of The Children's Home's Pinellas Auxiliary are hosting a New York style fashion extravaganza on Thursday, April 22, at The Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. Local celebrities will be wearing designs by Georgette's Fashion Boutique and Shoe Salon. For more information, please contact our Marketing Director, Brook Sneath,
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. To register for the event, you may also visit: http://www.childrenshome.org.
More Investors File Claim against Tampa-Based CSO Industries, Inc. and Principal Charles S. Owens, III
Posted on February 5, 2010 The Firm is representing 18 investors in a lawsuit against CSO Industries, Inc. (CSO), a company based out of Tampa, Florida and operated by Charles S. Owens, III (Owens). Owens, an unlicensed securities broker, convinced the investors to enter into several investment contracts with CSO and Owens. Pursuant to the terms of the investment contracts, the principal investment was “guaranteed,” and Owens represented to the investors that the invesments would provide a predictible rate of return. CSO and Owens have failed to honor the terms of the investment contracts. For more information, you may contact Joel Ewusiak (
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) or view a PDF of the Complaint at the bottom of this page. Firm Capable of Assisting Victims of Wrongful Incarceration in State of Florida Posted December 16, 2009 In 2009, the Florida Legislature passed the Wrongful Incarceration Compensation Act, Fla. Stat. 961.01 - 961.07 (the "Act"). The Act allows for those "wrongfully incarcerated" to receive monetary compensation for all time spent in Jail or Prison, including other funds. Lawyers at the Firm are familiar with the substance of the Act and the procedure necessary to make claims under the Act. For more information, please contact attorney, Joel Ewusiak,
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. Class Action filed against Polk County Sheriff for Placing Women in Holding Cells with Men Posted on December 16, 2009 The Firm is representing females placed in holding cells with men in the Polk County Jail. According to the allegations in the Class Action Complaint, the Plaintiff brings the Action on behalf of all female prisoners who, since June 2, 2007, have been, or may at some point in the future be, unlawfully placed in a holding cell with male prisoners in the jail system located in Polk County. The Class Plaintiffs allege that placing females in holding cells with males is a widespread custom and practice in the Polk County Jail. For information, please contact attorneys, Joel Ewusiak,
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, and Haley Maple,
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. A copy of the Class Action Complaint is located at the bottom of the News Page. Haley Maple elected Chair for the Artemis Guild of the Alpha House Posted November 13, 2009 Haley Maple has been elected to serve as the Chair for the Artemis Guild of the Alpha House of Tampa Bay for the 2010 calendar year. Attorney Lee Atkinson ARRESTED! Posted November 13, 2009 Lee has been arrested and the only way to obtain his release is through your donation to the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). PLEASE HELP BAIL HIM OUT! Your donation is Lee’s key to freedom! MDA's Purpose:
The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is an organization founded in 1950 which combats muscular dystrophy and diseases of the nervous system and muscular system in general by funding research, providing medical and community services, and educating health professionals and the general public. Through your donation, we can help to achieve MDA's mission of providing potentially lifesaving research to those in need. Be proud of the fact that together we're providing help and hope to kids and adults served by MDA in our community. Please help raise Lee's bail by donating today at: https://www.joinmda.org/carrollwood/vbukowski. Thank you for supporting MDA. Together we can make a difference. Discovery Strategies and Preparing a Case for Success Posted October 22, 2009 Attorney Joel Ewusiak's article, "Discovery Strategies and Preparing a Case for Success," was published in the Fall 2009 issue of The Woman Advocate, the quarterly newsletter published by the Woman Advocate Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation. A PDF of the article can be found at the bottom of this page. Letter to the Editor on the Death Penalty Posted October 17, 2009 Attorney Lee Atkinson speaks out on the recent forum on the death penalty held at the Florida State College of Law in a Letter to the Editor published in the October 15 issue of The Florida Bar News. To view his letter visit: http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNNews01.nsf/8c9f13012b96736985256aa900624829/40bff9182d68ff5385257646006159d6!OpenDocument. WAC Wins Best Newsletter Posted October 5, 2009 The American Bar Association Section of Litigation has announced that its top litigation subcommittee newsletter, among the ABA’s 40 litigation subcommittees, is the newsletter of the ABA’s Woman Advocate Committee. Forizs & Dogali attorney Haley Maple is editor-in-chief of The Woman Advocate, the Committee’s award-winning newsletter. Congratulations, Haley and the other members of the Woman Advocate Committee. Andy & Hope Dogali Endowment for Excellence Posted September 18, 2009 Two of our attorneys, Andy & Hope Dogali, have always remained active in their support for their alma mater law school, the Florida State University College of Law. Andy Dogali sits on the FSU College of Law's Board of Visitors. See http://www.law.fsu.edu/alumni/board_visitors.html. Effective in September 2009, and with the great appreciation of Dean Donald J. Weidner and the Law School faculty, Andy & Hope have now established the Andy & Hope Dogali Endowment for Excellence for the Florida State University College of Law. Forizs & Dogali remains committed to its mission of community support. Attorney Hope Dogali Spearheading Children's Home Golf Tournament; Sponsors Needed Posted on September 11, 2009 Hope Dogali, an attorney at the Firm and President of the Pinellas Auxiliary of the Children's Home, is spearheading the 23rd Annual Children's Home Golf Tournament. The Tournament is being held on Monday, November 16, 2009 at Feather Sound Country Club, 2201 Feather Sound Drive, Clearwater, FL 33762. The Children's Home is accepting corporate and individual sponsorships for the Tournament. For further information regarding sponsorship or other event opportunities, please contact Hope Dogali at 727 641-7346 or
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. The Children's Home is a child- and family-centered organization that is positioned to care for struggling families and children seeking the comfort of a loving family. Attorney Haley Maple Appointed as Member of Committee for ABA Section of Litigation Posted on August 11, 2009 Attorney Haley Maple has been appointed to be a Member of the Marketing and Membership Committee, which is part of Division I of the ABA Section of Litigation. The ABA Section of Litigation consists of more than 70,000 members. Her appointment is for the 2009-2010 bar year. During this time, she will also continue serving as the Editor-in-Chief of The Woman Advocate, the quarterly newsletter published by the Woman Advocate Committee of the Section of Litigation. Attorney Haley Maple Appointed to Contribute to Paralegal Legal Studies ProgramPosted on August 2, 2009 Attorney Haley Maple has accepted a position on the Keiser University Advisory Board for the Legal Studies Program. Ms. Maple is pleased to have been given this opportunity to contribute to the development of the institution. Attorney Andy Dogali Selected by Peers in The Best Lawyers in America for Construction Law Posted on August 2, 2009 Congratulations to Andy Dogali on having been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America in the specialty of Construction Law. For over a quarter of a century, Best Lawyers has been regarded – by both the profession and the public – as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States. Selection to Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive and rigorous peer-review survey comprising more than 2.8 million confidential evaluations by the top attorneys in the country. Because no fee or purchase is required, being listed in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. The Firm and Andy Dogali Recognized as Leading Lawyers in Construction law Posted on July 27, 2009 The Firm and Andy Dogali have again been recognized by Chambers & Partners as leading lawyers in the construction law community. Chambers & Partners is the leading global analyst of law firms, and develops its reviews from surveys and interviews of lawyers in similar communities and practice areas. Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2009, includes the following review: “Forizs & Dogali, P.A. Known for representing design professionals and insurance companies, this team continues to win the respect of its peers. The group has been kept busy by disputes arising from surety and delay claims. Name partner Andy Dogali is an all-rounder whose broad experience – which encompasses construction and insurance suits – makes him a popular choice on both the claimant and defendant sides.”
Attorney Brian Hohman Joins F&D Posted on July 21, 2009 Brian Hohman has joined the Firm. Brian focuses his practice in Commercial Litigation, Insurance Coverage and Criminal Law. Investor Claim Filed against Tampa-Based CSO Industries, Inc. and Principal Charles S. Owens, IIIPosted on July 21, 2009 The Firm is representing an investor of CSO Industries, Inc. (CSO), a company based out of Tampa, Florida and operated by Charles S. Owens, III (Owens). The 80 year old widow alleges that she was contacted over the phone several times by Owens and convinced to enter into several investment contracts with CSO and Owens. Pursuant to the terms of the investment contracts, the principal investment was “guaranteed,” and Owens represented to the investor that the invesments would provide a predictible rate of return. In reliance upon the representations and recommendations of Owens, the investor conveyed her life savings to CSO and Owens. Owens also convinced the investor to obtain a second mortgage of $100,000 on the equity in her home and then use the proceeds to invest with CSO and Owens. Neither CSO nor Owens are registered with the state of Florida, or any other regulatory authority, to sell investments. For more information, you may contact Joel Ewusiak (
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) or view a PDF of the Complaint at the bottom of this page. Attorneys Joel Ewusiak and Haley Maple on Twitter Posted on July 12, 2009 You can now follow Joel Ewusiak and Haley Maple on Twitter. Joel and Haley tweet about current issues and news involving various areas of the law. You can follow Joel's tweets here: http://audi.idns3.com/~forizsdo/wordpress/?cat=8 or http://twitter.com/ewusiak You can follow Haley's tweets here: http://audi.idns3.com/~forizsdo/wordpress/?cat=9 or http://twitter.com/haleymaple Haley Maple Featured in Publication of Tampa Bay's Network of Executive Women Posted on July 7, 2009 Haley Maple was recently featured in NEWsletter, the monthly publication of Tampa Bay’s Network of Executive Women, in an article written by Nadine Jones. Haley became a member of the Network of Executive Women in 2008 and is active in the networking committee. Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Sheriff of Marion County for Publishing Addresses of Crime Victims Posted on June 5, 2009 Ocala, Florida (November 3, 2008) -- The law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.L. has filed a class action against the Sheriff of Marion County on behalf of the victims of crimes within Marion County whose addresses, along with a description of the crime perpetrated against them, were unlawfully published by the Sheriff from July 1, 2007 until October 30, 2008 on the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MSCO) website. The Sheriff published the addresses of victims of various crimes, including, but not limited to, the crimes of burglary, robbery, and “special victim crimes,” such as sexual battery, lewd and lascivious conduct, and child abuse. The class action lawsuit alleges that, between July 1, 2007 until October 30, 2008 (the Class Period), the Sheriff published the addresses of criminal incidents in Marion County, and a description of the crimes perpetrated at those addresses, on the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website, previously available at www.marionso.com/crimemapping. According to the lawsuit, the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website displayed Incident Reports during the Class Period. The Incident Reports included the Incident Address, a Case Number, a Description of the Crime, and Date and Time of the Criminal Incident. More often than not, the Incident Addresses were the addresses of the victims because the subject crimes occurred at those addresses. On or about October 30, 2008, the “Crime Mapping” section of the MCSO website was removed by the Sheriff. The class action lawsuit has been filed in the Circuit Court in and for Marion County, Florida. The lead Plaintiff has been identified as John Doe, to protect his or her identity. The Class Plaintiffs are seeking, among other relief, damages for the mental anguish and anxiety associated with the stigma of being identified as a victim of a crime. For more information on this class action lawsuit, please contact the law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.L. via telephone at (813) 289-0700 or via e-mail at
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. The law firm will maintain the confidentiality of any inquiries. Andy Dogali's Annual Report on LOMAS Posted on June 3, 2009 Andy Dogali serves as Chair of the Florida Bar’s Law Office Management Assistance Service (LOMAS) Advisory Board. Andy's annual report to the members of the Florida Bar is published in the Florida Bar Journal this month. You can view the annual report here: http://tinyurl.com/qvr8mq F&D Now on Twitter Posted on May 27, 2009 You may now follow F&D News on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ForizsandDogali F&D "Best Places to Work" Comment Referenced in Tampa Bay Business Journal Posted on May 27, 2009 The Tampa Bay Business Journal has posted confidential comments from employees of the finalists for the annual "Best Places to Work." One F&D employee is qouted as saying: “I feel completely at ease in seeing the firm managed by its current owners.” (http://tinyurl.com/phneps) Lee Atkinson Begins Poetry Blog Posted on May 27, 2009 Lee Atkinson will be publishing his legal and non-legal related poetry under the Blog titled "Poetry." Over the years, Lee's poetry has been published in various Law Reviews and other periodicals. The Firm is representing Class Plaintiffs in Lawsuit against Furniture Warranty Company, Stainsafe, Inc. Posted on May 27, 2009 The law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.A. has recently filed a class action in California on behalf of consumers of Stainsafe, Inc., a company that provides furniture "warranties" to its consumers. The Class Plaintiffs allege that the furniture warranties marketed, sold, distributed and issued by the Stainsafe contain open-ended, illusory terms that effectively nullify the existence of any coverage at all, and even if coverage did exist, the terms effectively allow the Defendant to exclude coverage for warranty claims for any reason at all. Specifically, the Class Plaintiffs contend that, as a matter of policy, practice and procedure, Stainsafe routinely excludes coverage for warranty claims for reasons that are not specifically outlined in the terms of their furniture warranties. Rather, the Defendant, in its sole discretion, unilaterally creates standard-form reasons to deny warranty claims. These standard-form reasons to deny warranty claims, include, but are not limited to, that the furniture damages to be repaired (or replaced, if repair is not feasible) “cannot be attributed to any single occurrence or accident,” “were the result of normal wear from customer usage,” and that “were not reported when they occurred, but when they were discovered” by the consumer. As a result, Stainsafe has engaged in deceptive, unfair and fraudulent practices causing damages to consumers throughout the United States who have purchased Defendant’s furniture warranties, submitted claims, and subsequently had them denied. Should you wish to obtain more information about the lawsuit, please contact Joel Ewusiak (
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) or Melissa Hussey (
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). A PDF of the Complaint may be found at the bottom of this page. The Firm was selected as a Finalist in the Tampa Bay Business Journal's 2009 "Best Places to Work" competition. Posted on May 13, 2009 Tim Woodward is scheduled to lecture on Construction Risk Management to the Florida Plumber’s Association in June.
Posted on May 13, 2009 Tim Woodward lectures on Collection Tips for Contractors at Annual Florida Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Contractors Association (FRACCA).
Posted on April 21, 2009 Tim Woodward Lectures on Construction Issues
Posted on April 21, 2009 Tim Woodward Recognized as Rising Star
Posted on April 21, 2009 Tim Woodward named Florida SuperLawyer “Rising Star” in March 2009. U.S. DOJ Investigating the Marion County Jail
Posted on March 18, 2009 On March 17, 2009, the Ocala Star Banner reported:
OCALA - The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into the Marion County Jail, looking into “protection from harm, including the provision of adequate suicide prevention measures, and the use of force.” According to a Sheriff’s Office news release, the agency was notified of the investigation on Monday. The notice reportedly also says investigators “will seek to determine whether there are systemic violations of the Constitution or laws of the United States” at the jail. Sheriff’s Chief of Staff Tom Wilder spoke with Justice Officials and said the investigation is not based on any single specific incident. “We take very seriously our obligation to protect the civil rights of all citizens, including inmates housed at the Marion County Jail and we intend to fully cooperate with the investigation,” Sheriff Ed Dean said in a prepared statement. According to the news release, the investigation will include a review of documents and procedures, interviews and an inspection. The investigation will reportedly take several months. “We are confident that this investigation will conclude that the Marion County Jail is operated within all mandatory standards to include the treatment, care, custody and control of the inmates,” the Sheriff’s Office news release states. The law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.A. currently represents several former inmates at the Marion County Jail in a civil action against the Marion County Sheriff’s Office concerning the use of excessive force, the improper use of tasers, the improper handling of suicide precaution inmates and the failure to protect inmates from harm caused by other inmates. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact Joel Ewusiak, Esq. at
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This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or at 813-289-0700. Has Stainsafe denied your furniture warranty claim?
Posted on March 16, 2009 If you have purchased insurance to protect against damage to your furniture, then you may have purchased insurance from Stainsafe. Have you made a warranty claim to Stainsafe for damage to your furniture, only to have it summarily denied? We are investigating claims against Stainsafe in connection with deinals of claims based upon “normal wear and tear,” along with other purported grounds for denial. If you would like to discuss the denial of your claim with us, then please contact Andy Dogali (
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) Associate Rachel Green Accepted a position with the Bankruptcy Committee
Posted on February 2, 2009 Associate Rachel Green recently accepted a position with the Bankruptcy Committee of the ABA Section of Litigation. In her position, Ms. Green summarizes new events in Bankruptcy law occurring within the Eleventh Circuit. Ms. Green’s summaries and analyses of these legal events is posted on the Bankruptcy Committee’s website.
Lee Atkinson Interviewed by News Channel 8
Posted on January 22, 2009
Attorney Lee Atkinson was interviewed by Steven Andrews of News Channel 8 regarding the Federal investigation of Judge Stringer. The interview aired on the January 22, 2009 Evening News.
Haley Maple was recently published in the Winter
Posted on January 19, 2009
Haley Maple was recently published in the Winter 2009 issue of The Woman Advocate, a publication of the American Bar Association’s Section of Litigation. Ms. Maple authored an article titled “Dos and Don’ts for Changing Your Last Name.” Joel Ewusiak also contributed to the “Words of Wisdom” column, which is featured in each issue and provides advice to young attorneys.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Sheriff of Marion County
Posted on November 4, 2008
Ocala, Florida (November 3, 2008) — The law firm of Forizs & Dogali, P.A. announced today that it has filed a class action against the Sheriff of Marion County on behalf of the victims of crimes within Marion County.
Associate Haley Maple Accepts Membership Invitation from the Network of Executive Women
Posted on September 19, 2008
We are proud to announce that associate attorney, Haley Maple, has recently accepted an invitation to become a member of the Network of Executive Women. This organization is dedicated to improving the lives of working women. They strive to be the “Network of Choice” for Executive Women in the Tampa Bay Area.
Emerge Tampa
Posted on September 8, 2008
Haley Maple has joined Emerge Tampa Bay, a leadership program developed by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Clearwater Regional Chamber of Commerce and designed to connect and engage emerging leaders ages 21 to 35 in activities. For more information, visit: http://www.emergetampa.com/
Haley Maple is The Woman Advocate’s Editor-in-Chief
Posted on September 5, 2008
Haley Maple will be serving her second year as Editor-in-Chief of the newsletter of the Woman Advocate Committee within the ABA section of litigation. Andy Dogali appointed as Chair of LOMAS Advisory Board
Posted on August 12, 2008 Andy Dogali was recently appointed as Chair of the Florida Bar’s Law Office Management Assistance Service 2008-2009 Advisory Board (LOMAS). LOMAS assists Florida Bar members with all of the business aspects of the practice of law including technology, financial planning, facilities/operations management, and trust accounting. LOMAS also handles grievance deferrals and diversions as directed by the Supreme Court of Florida.
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