John Guyton represented First American Title Insurance Company’s policy holder in a dispute over diminished value of commercial real estate where the title insurance company failed to identify a City of Lakeland sewer easement that bisected the property.  The title insurance company’s pre-suit offer was $3,300.00

Following a three (3) day trial, the Court awarded damages of $400,125.00.

John Guyton and Melissa Isabel obtained a favorable decision in an appeal of a trial court order granting their motion for fraud.

The Plaintiff was found to have concealed a prior shoulder injury that was directly relevant to the claims made in the Case.  The Court found clear and convincing evidence had been presented which established that Plaintiff engaged in an intentional scheme to evade  discovery of facts central to the case. Plaintiff intentionally concealed or withheld information directly related to his injuries, a core issue in the litigation. The Plaintiff’s failure to disclose critical facts about prior injuries, pain, and treatment, as well as prior healthcare providers and medical records, can only be interpreted as an intentional attempt to thwart Defendant’s discovery of all essential facts.  The Court granted the motion for fraud and dismissed the case.   The Plaintiff appealed and oral arguments were held on December 2, 2020.

Given that not all Florida Courts have resumed jury trials due to COVID-19, the attorneys at Rywant Alvarez Jones Russo Guyton, P.A., have been actively participating in many types of alternative dispute resolution methods.

Partner, John Guyton, successfully obtained an arbitration judgment in favor of his client. In the case at issue, the Claimant asserted claims for violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (“FDUTPA”), Magnuson Moss Warranty Act Implied, Magnuson Warranty Act Express, Revocation of Acceptance Magnuson Moss Warranty Act, and Breach of Contract.  The Arbitrator found that the Claimant failed to provide any evidence to support her claims and found in full favor of the Respondent.

Final Arbitration Award

We are pleased to announce that Melissa Isabel obtained a dismissal in favor of our client.  After three years of contentious litigation, Melissa was able to brief and successfully argue the Plaintiff had committed and perpetuated a fraud on the court.  The trial court granted the motion a month prior to the scheduled jury trial.

Order Granting Motion to Dismiss

John Guyton was appointed to the Civil Trial Law Certification Committee. He recently obtained summary judgment for his client in a complex commercial dispute.

The Tampa Bay Lightning honored our shareholder, Greg Jones, as A Lightning Community Hero. Greg received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program which he donated to the Faith Café and the Palma Ceia Little League Challenger Program (baseball for boys and girls with special needs).