Joe Longfellow presents on deposition preparation at FDLA Deposition Bootcamp
On Friday, April 25, 2025, Joe Longfellow presented on deposition preparation to fellow defense attorneys at the Florida Defense Lawyers Association's Deposition Bootcamp in Orlando, Florida. He also assisted in conducting breakdown sessions with 6 groups of lawyers on background and information gathering in depositions of fact witnesses.
Riley Landy Obtains a Dismissal with Prejudice of a Federal Case
Riley Landy recently a dismissal of a case in Northern District of Florida. She defended a state agency prosecutor and two investigators in their individual capacities for alleged claims of tortious interference with a business relationship, fraud, civil conspiracy, malicious prosecution, and violations of the Fourth and Fifteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
The lawsuit stemmed from an investigation and eventual prosecution against the Plaintiffs' medical license. Riley filed Motions to Dismiss on behalf of the individuals arguing, among other things, they are entitled to sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, and prosecutorial immunity. The Court agreed and granted the Motions to Dismiss with prejudice.
Partners, Craig Knox and Riley Landy, secure a defense verdict for TCC
On 09/20/23, in Tsompanidis v. The District Board of Trustees of Tallahassee Community College, Partners, Craig Knox and Riley Landy, obtained a defense verdict after a 3-day trial in Gadsden County, Florida for The District Board of Trustees of Tallahassee Community College (TCC).
In the Complaint, the Plaintiff, Mr. Tsompanidis, alleged TCC was negligent in retaining a defensive tactics instructor at the Florida Public Safety Institute at TCC, and that TCC was liable due to the negligence of its instructors.
During the trial, a directed verdict on the negligent retention claim was granted by Judge David Frank, so the jury was left with only the simple negligence cause of action to consider.
After 30-minutes of deliberations, the Jury returned a verdict for the defense. This is another great win for the defense!
Congratulations Craig Knox, Riley Landy, and TCC!
Riley Landy passes the Georgia Bar
On February 21, 2023, Riley Landy took the Georgia Bar exam, so she could provider her legal services and expertise to her clients beyond Florida. Since she was already a licensed attorney, she only had to take the state portion of the bar exam. It consisted of the MPT and an essay portion on Georgia law. On May 12, 2023, Riley was informed she passed the exam.
On behalf of everyone at the firm, we wish to congratulate Riley on this great accomplishment.
Joe Longfellow appointed to serve on the Florida Bar's Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee
On May 12, 2023, Joe Longfellow received notice that he was appointed by Florida Bar President-Elect Scott Westheimer to serve on the Florida Bar's Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee. His term will be through June 30, 2024.
The scope and function of the Judicial Nominating Procedures Committee is to assist the Governor and the judicial nominating commissions in discharging their respective duties under Article V, Section 11, Constitution of Florida.
The committee offers assistance to the Governor with organizing and presenting an annual training program for all JNC commissioners. The training program provides authoritative information on the subject of judicial selection and the judicial nominating process. It also constitutes a forum for the mutual exchange of information by commissioners.
The committee advises judicial nominating commissioners of new legislation or proposed legislation which is related to the judiciary and the judicial selection process. The committee continues to suggest operating rules and procedures that it believes to be in the best interest of the commissions and the judicial nominating process.
Joe Longfellow participates in a panel on mentoring, which included Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis
The Florida Bar's Student Education and Admission to the Bar Committee presented a CLE webinar on mentoring. The CLE included a panel of Florida Supreme Court Justice Renatha Francis, Joe Longfellow, Mike Haire, 4th Circuit State Attorney Melissa Nelson, and 11th Circuit Public Defender Julianne Holt. The CLE was the third part of the Mentoring Makes a Difference series. This series features three free CLEs that can be accessed at: https://www.floridabar.org/prof/professionalism-cle/.
Two More Summary Judgment Wins by ACKL Attorneys!
Two of our attorneys, Craig Knox and Riley Landy, recently prevailed on summary judgment motions on behalf of one of our clients in two separate cases.
In the first case, the Court issued its order granting the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's claims for false imprisonment and negligent training and supervision in favor of Defendant. The Court agreed Plaintiff was never detained, entitling our client to summary judgment on the false imprisonment claim. The Court also agreed our client was entitled to sovereign immunity from a negligent training claim, and the undisputed facts showed no evidence of negligent supervision.
in the second case, Craig and Riley argued a Motion for Final Summary Judgment on Plaintiff's claims of disability discrimination and retaliation. After extensive oral argument, the Court agreed the undisputed facts showed no evidence of discrimination against Plaintiff. The Court further held no adverse action was taken against Plaintiff, and Defendant's failure to rehire Plaintiff after her employment contract ended was done so for legitimate, non-retaliatory and non-discriminatory reasons. The Court entered its order granting Defendant's motion.
Once again, Final Summary Judgment awarded in favor of the Defense!
Another Dismissal with Prejudice
Joe Longfellow represented the owner (landlord) of a mobile home. The landlord permitted the tenant to have a dog. He was told the dog would be an inside dog that was kept in a kennel. The landlord was told the dog was a gray mixed breed, but never saw the dog during the lease. Throughout the lease, there were no complaints about the dog. However, one day, while the dog was outside with the owner, it got away from the owner and chased someone on a local public trail, causing them to fall off their bike. This incident led to the filing of a lawsuit against the tenant, landlord and the real property owner.
Prior to this incident, neither the landlord nor the tenant had any idea the dog was or could be aggressive. There were no prior incidents when the dog bit someone or even chased anyone.
The evidence developed in discovery established there was a lack of knowledge on the part of the landlord or the tenant regarding the dog being aggressive or dangerous. Consequently, Joe Longfellow was able to secure a dismissal with prejudice following his client's deposition without having to file any motions.
Riley Landy and Craig Knox obtain Summary Judgment for Client
Riley Landy and Craig Knox recently moved for summary judgment in an employment law case involving the Florida Public Whistleblower's Statute. They were defending a Florida state agency in the matter. The Court held there was no genuine dispute of a material fact and the undisputed record evidence established the plaintiff's adverse action was legitimate and nondiscriminatory.
Joe Longfellow Speaks on Witness Preparation on National Podcast
Joe Longfellow recently appeared on the Courtroom Sciences, Inc.'s national podcast with Dr. Bill Kanasky, Jr. to discuss witness preparation for healthcare providers and law enforcement. Courtroom Sciences, Inc. is a top litigation consulting firm that specializes in witness training, settlement and trial research, litigation support and crisis consulting. Check out the podcast at: https://www.courtroomsciences.com/trial-science-podcast/episode-127-law-enforcement-and-healthcare-witness-preparation-544.