Javier Lopez is a partner, and co-chair of complex and commercial litigation. Javier has particular expertise in both U.S. federal and state courts. He has represented many high-profile corporations and individuals in contract and business disputes, commercial transactions, and intellectual property matters. He has handled trials and appeals on both the state and federal levels. His recent verdict in a “bet the company” litigation that resulted in a six week jury trial ended with one of the top ten largest jury verdicts in the State of Florida and one of the top 100 Verdicts in the United States which was for almost $37 Million Dollars.

Javier handles some of the firm’s largest and most complex litigation matters. He has particular expertise in filing and defending claims involving businesses, financial institutions, accounting firms, individuals and others for participation in fraudulent schemes, breaches of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, individual and class actions involving deception and false advertising, and representing individuals and large companies in contract and shareholder disputes. Javier frequently serves as an attorneys fee expert as he is certified by the National Association of Legal Fee Analysis (thenalfa.org). He has a passion for civil rights and is frequently appointed by courts to represent the interests of the less fortunate against government entities and law enforcement.

Javier is also humbled to have been appointed as Co-Lead Counsel to the Economic Loss and Property Damage Track in the Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation, pending in Miami-Dade County state court before the Honorable Michael Hanzman. This ongoing complex litigation, in the aftermath of the devastating Champlain Towers collapse tragedy claiming 98 souls and 136 property units, has been one of the most important and impactful cases of Javier’s career and garnering worldwide importance. The resolution of this matter with over $1.3 billion going to the victims was one of the highest settlements in the Country in 2022.

Chambers USA has ranked Javier since 2021 for Litigation: General Commercial and described him as “a highly effective oral advocate” and “an experienced litigator who leads an excellent team.” As featured in The Miami Herald, he was selected by peers as one of South Florida’s 2024 Top Lawyers.  From 2010-2018, he was named a “Rising Legal Star” by Florida Super Lawyer’s Magazine, a “Rising Star” by the Daily Business Review and a “Top 40 Under 40” by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He was elected to the Cuban American Bar Association’s Board of Directors in 2009, and served as its President in 2017. Javier was honored as a Golden Angel for his support of the Jackson Memorial Foundation through JUNTOS, the philanthropic foundation he co-founded. Since 2005, he has been a member of the Harvard Alumni Association’s Interviewing Committee. He is also a Miami Art Studio (MAS) advisory Board Member.

Prior to joining Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton, Javier was a legal clerk in the White House Counsel’s Office where he was very involved in the vetting process for the replacement of then Chief Justice William Renquist. Javier also worked at the United States House of Representatives as part of the legal review team for new policy and legislation.

Javier is very active in the South Florida Cuban community and charitable organizations such as the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation (formerly Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation) and the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. He is an avid baseball fan having been a four year letterman for Harvard University, and enjoys collecting fine art and international travel.

RESULTS

Complex Litigation

Javier successfully represented a real estate developer against a manufactured gas plant operator in a complicated environmental contamination case with damages estimated at over $140 million. The parties reached an amicable settlement after a five week bench trial. Javier also successfully represented a major sugar company defeating claims brought by 1700 individual sugar cane cutters that were former employees. He had to live in Jamaica for eight months where he took over 450 depositions during that span.

Javier recently obtained a favorable monetary settlement for a client who was victimized by law enforcement and was critical in major compliance changes within the municipality’s police training on excessive force and police brutality.

Javier recently tried to verdict a jury trial in where he successfully pierced the corporate veil to hold a shareholder liable, winning a US $15m jury verdict for a Venezuelan businessman. The verdict, which also involved fraudulent transfer of assets issues, was affirmed by the Third District Court of Appeal in Quercia, et al. v. Curbelo, et al., Case Nos. 3D15-2392 and 3D16-1181 (Fla. 3d DCA Nov. 29, 2017).

International Matters

Javier has represented several internationally known recording artists with a variety a legal issues ranging from copyright infringement to breach of a royalty contract.  His ability to be fluent in Spanish gives his clients a level of comfort when discussing their personal matters.

Javier also served as a mediator for the 800 MHz Transition Administrator in connection with the movement of a major telecom to new frequency bands to eliminate interference to public safety and other licensees, the largest such realignment of radio spectrum in the history of the FCC.

PERSONAL STATEMENT

I became a lawyer because my parents came from a country where there was no rule of law.  My great uncle was the longest held political prisoner in the world (sentenced to 30 years after a 30 minute trial).  Being able to practice law in a society that respects law and the rule of law and help those through that process has been one of the biggest blessings of my life.

SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Ascencion Seminar: Avoiding Getting to Burnout – Addressing Attorney Anxiety and Overwhelm , 3/29/2023.
  • FIU College of Law: Mindfulness and the Law, 2/15/2023.
  • LMASE Virtual Managing Partner Roundtable, 9/28/2022.
  • Bench & Bar Panel on Mental Health & Mindfulness, 2/18/2022 (Hyatt Regency Downtown Miami).
  • University of Miami Zoom Webinar: More than Feeling Good: How Mental Health and Well-Being Will Help You Succeed on Exams and In Life, 10/13/2020.
  • Webinar: Ethics and Professionalism for Local Government Attorneys, 8/20/2020.
  • ILS Global Forum on International Law, February 2020