Course 9841

The Florida Bar Appellate Practice Section presents “But What About My Trial? An Appellate Lawyer’s Guide for Successfully Tackling Summary Judgment,” featuring Sam Alexander and Forrest Andrews. This program will examine the evolving landscape of summary judgment practice in Florida, including preservation issues, appellate standards of review, and strategies for effectively challenging or defending summary judgment rulings. Attendees will gain practical guidance on building a strong record, framing dispositive issues, and navigating the intersection between trial strategy and appellate advocacy.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

As a result of attending this session, the learner will be better able to:

1. Identify the standards governing summary judgment practice in Florida and analyze how those standards affect appellate review.
2. Recognize key preservation issues arising from summary judgment proceedings, including the development of an adequate evidentiary record and preservation of legal arguments for appeal.
3. Develop effective strategies for drafting, opposing, and defending summary judgment motions with an eye toward potential appellate challenges.
4. Evaluate common pitfalls in summary judgment litigation and apply practical techniques to strengthen dispositive motion practice at both the trial and appellate levels.

FACULTY BIOGRAPHY:

Forrest Andrews, of Miami, is Chair of the Appellate Department and Errors & Omissions Department at Lydecker LLP and also serves as Co-Chair of the firm’s Commercial Department. Board-certified in Appellate Practice by The Florida Bar, Forrest handles a broad range of appellate matters and extraordinary writ proceedings in state and federal courts while also advising trial counsel on appellate strategy and issue preservation. His practice includes defending professionals such as attorneys, insurance agents, real estate professionals, directors, and officers, as well as handling environmental claims involving mold, pollution, and contamination issues. Before entering private practice, Forrest served as an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Miami, where he represented the City in federal civil rights, personal injury, commercial, and appellate litigation.

Samuel Alexander, of Jacksonville, is the founder and president of Alexander Appellate Law P.A., a statewide Florida appellate law firm dedicated to appellate practice and litigation support. Florida Bar Board Certified in Appellate Practice, Mr. Alexander handles a wide range of complex appeals and writs in state and federal courts, with a focus on commercial, real property, insurance, and family law litigation. After obtaining his law degree with honors from the University of Florida, Mr. Alexander clerked under the Honorable James A. Edwards, rising to the level of Senior Law Clerk.