Ed is a highly regarded commercial litigator and arbitrator, board-certified by the Florida Bar in International Litigation and Arbitration, with extensive experience resolving complex disputes across international and domestic forums. He handles matters involving commercial contract disputes, distribution agreements, closely held corporate disputes, joint ventures, energy and construction projects, and investor-state arbitral disputes.
Ed is a renowned leader in litigation involving 28 U.S.C. § 1782, which allows discovery for use in a foreign proceeding, and is a co-editor of a leading treatise on the statute.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
In re Banco Sistema, S.A., Case No. 23-MC-240 (AT) (JW) (awarding sanctions, attorney’s fees, and holding target in civil contempt for not complying with section 1782 subpoena).
U.S. Water Servs. Corp. v. Xylem Water Sols. U.S.A. Inc., Case No: 2:25-cv-15-SPC-DNF, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 195152 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 2, 2025) (granting judgment on the pleadings in breach of contract action based upon alleged defective product).
Abira Med. Labs., LLC v. Wellcare Health, Case No: 8:24-cv-1278-MSS-NHA, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 167359 (M.D. Fla. Aug. 28, 2025) (dismissing qui tam action for failure to state a claim and shotgun pleading).
In re Banco Sistema, S.A., Case No. 23-MC-240 (AT) (JW) (awarding sanctions, attorney’s fees, and holding target in civil contempt for not complying with section 1782 subpoena).
U.S. Water Servs. Corp. v. Xylem Water Sols. U.S.A. Inc., Case No: 2:25-cv-15-SPC-DNF, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 195152 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 2, 2025) (granting judgment on the pleadings in breach of contract action based upon alleged defective product).
Abira Med. Labs., LLC v. Wellcare Health, Case No: 8:24-cv-1278-MSS-NHA, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 167359 (M.D. Fla. Aug. 28, 2025) (dismissing qui tam action for failure to state a claim and shotgun pleading).
Sanchez v. Adverit Int'l LLC, No. 25-cv-21144-ALTMAN/Lett, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 147075 (S.D. Fla. July 31, 2025) (granting motion to compel arbitration and to stay section 1782 matter).
Frutafino, S.A.S. v. Dole Chile, S.A., 405 So. 2d 497 (3d DCA 2025) (successful reversal of $1.5 million jury verdict finding officer liable for civil theft and fraud in purchase of distribution of fruit from Chilean subsidiary, fees awarded), review denied, 2025 Fla. LEXIS 1208 (Fla. July 18, 2025).
Zink v. Serv. Fin. Co., LLC, 2025 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 74999 (S.D. Fla. Apr. 15, 2025) (successfully defeating motion to intervene in class action after dismissal to replace class representatives).
Letidas Logistics, LLC v. Citibank, N.A., No. 9:74-cv-81294-LEIBOWITZ, 2024 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 209883 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 18, 2024) (granting motion to dismiss claims for aiding and abetting in national class action contending bank aided and abetted Ponzi scheme run by depositor).
Counsel in an UNCITRAL arbitration to a group of U.S. investors who had their property expropriated without compensation by a Latin American country in order to build a new airport.
Secured trial and appellate victories affirming the dismissal on forum non conveniens grounds of a $63 million fraud dispute to Brazil on behalf of infrastructure client.
Secured dismissal of a Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) putative class action brought against a large automotive specialty chain in United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida.
All. Aviation, Inc. v. Citibank, N.A., No. 23-cv-61633, 2023 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 184835 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 11, 2023) (granting motion to allow bank to interplead funds).
Hamilton v. Shepard, Citibank, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 134669 (S.D. Fla. June 30, 2021) (obtained vacatur of default due to lack of service and valid claim, granting motion to dismiss), appr’g, 2021 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 122840 (magistrate decision).
Aviles v. Sol Melia V.C. P.R. Corp., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 245226 (D.P.R. Dec. 30, 2020) (denying motion to remand CAFA worldwide class action involving breaches of time share contracts).
Isaiah v. JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA, 2020 WL 2823653 (11th Cir. 2020) (successfully defended JP Morgan in dismissal of appeal of granting motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim for bank sued on failure to prevent fraud).
Point Conversions, Inc v. Tropical Paradise Resorts LLC v., 806 Fed.Appx. 966 (11th Cir. 2020) (successfully obtained affirmance of dismissal of FDUTPA claim by patent licensee as pre-empted by Patent Act), aff’g, Tropical Paradise Resorts, LLC v. JBSHBM, LLC.
Fellype v. Citibank, N.A., 2020 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 247521 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 6, 2020) (compelling arbitration of account holder’s claim over argument that he never signed arbitration agreement based upon agency theory).
Turizo v. Jiffy Lube Int’l, Inc., 2019 WL 4737696 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 27, 2019) (successfully obtained dismissal of franchisor for lack of personal jurisdiction in TCPA class action filed based upon texts sent by franchisee).
Gray v. Uber Tech., Inc., 2019 WL 962760 (M.D. Fla. Feb. 27, 2019) (successfully obtained granting of motion to compel arbitration of online agreement when plaintiff claimed he had opted out of arbitration).
DynCorp International LLC v. MD Helicopters, Inc., 2018 WL 277359 (N.D. Ala. Jan. 22, 2019) (successfully defeated enforcement of mandatory forum selection clause in multi-million dollar breach of contract action on ambiguity grounds).
Tropical Paradise Resorts, LLC v. JBSHBM, LLC, 2018 WL 4932282 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (successfully obtained dismissal of state claims by patent licensee based upon preemption), rehearing denied, 2019 WL 78983 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 2, 2019); see also Point Conversions, LLC v. Tropical Paradise Resorts, LLC, 2018 WL 4999807 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (common-law claims pre-empted).
Gonzalez v. TCR Sports Broadcasting Holding, LLP, 2018 WL 4292018 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (successfully defeated remand of TCPA class action on behalf of franchisor).
Cable Bahamas, Ltd. v. Beothuk Investment, Ltd., 2018 WL 5883389 (Fla. 5th DCA 2018) (pca) (successfully defended appeal of order finding third party could enforce forum selection clause).
Meridian Trust Co. v. Batista, 2018 WL 4760277 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (successfully obtained dismissal of Florida defendant from $ 60 million fraud, RICO, conspiracy, and fraudulent transfer action involving alleged fraud of offshore oil investment in Brazil).
Envision Healthcare Corp. v. United Healthcare Ins. Co., 311 F. Supp. 2d 1332 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (successfully obtained dismissal of multi-million dollar contract dispute based upon arbitration clause in face of argument of waiver).
Mejia v. Uber Tech., Inc., 291 F. Supp. 3d. 1314 (S.D. Fla. 2018) (successfully obtained dismissal of class action by driver using Uber application claiming Uber policy on firearms violated Florida statute).
Abel & Buchheim, P.R., Inc. v. Citibank, N.A., 2017 WL 3731002 (S.D. Fla. 2017) (successfully obtained dismissal of complaint against bank for allegedly violating injunction in allowing alleged fraudster to obtain funds, establishing no negligence claim for economic damages).
Chevalier v. Bourciquout, 221 So. 3d 624 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016) (per curiam affirmed) (appellee counsel for Citibank in successful appeal of order dismissing bank defendants for alleged violation of Florida Fraudulent Transfer Act).
Hinkle v. Continental Motors, Inc., 268 F. Supp. 3d 1312 (M.D. Fla. 2017) (successfully obtained dismissal of airplane manufacturer on personal jurisdiction grounds).
Berto v. Meridian Trust Co., 221 So. 3d 757 (Fla. 3d DCA 2017) (successfully obtained reversal of ex parte injunction freezing over $63 million in assets based upon alleged fraudulent transfers).
Wollschlaeger v. Governor of Florida, 848 F.3d 1293 (11th Cir. 2017) (en banc) (successfully obtained affirmance in appeal of summary judgment declaring statute prohibiting doctors from inquiring about gun ownership unconstitutional as violation of First Amendment).
Sigelman v. Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, 203 So. 3d 169 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016) (lead appellee counsel in successful defense of appeal of order staying case and compelling arbitration in multi-million dollar fee dispute).
Mesa Power Group, LLC v. Government of Canada, PCA Case No. 2012-17 ($600 million NAFTA arbitration by renewable energy developer against Government of Canada for violations of most favored nation obligations and fair and equitable treatment in the operation of Ontario’s Feed-in-Tariff program).
Sini v. Citibank, N.A., 990 F. Supp. 2d 1370 (S.D. Fla. 2014) (successfully dismissing action pursuant to Colorado River doctrine on behalf of interpleading bank).
In re Consocio Ecuatoianode Telecommunicaciones S.A., 2014 WL 104132 (11th Cir. 2014), vacating 685 F.3d 987 (11th Cir. 2012) (successfully obtained affirmance in appeal of order permitting 28 U.S.C. § 1782 action to obtain discovery in support of reasonably contemplated foreign litigation).
In re All American Semiconductor, Inc., 490 B.R. 418 (Bkrtcy. S.D. Fla. Jan. 25, 2013) (successfully obtained dismissal of multi-million dollar breach of contract and business tort claim against software based upon contractual statute of limitations).
Lozman v. City of Rivera Beach, 133 S. Ct. 735, 184 L.Ed.2d 604, 81 (U.S. 2013) (successfully obtained reversal in U.S. Supreme Court, 7-2, of 11th Circuit opinion finding floating structure was a vessel for admiralty purposes; established new definition of “vessel”).
Eurosillas, S.A. v. Citicorp, 2012 WL 253227 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 26, 2012) (successfully obtained dismissal of action against bank for failure to join indispensable party to litigation involving dispute over corporate account).
Cirrus Design Corp. v. Sasso, 95 So. 3d 308 (Fla. 4th DCA 2012) (successfully obtained reversal of order denying motion to enforce settlement based upon accepted offers of settlement in airplane crash case).
Sasso v. Cirrus Design Corp., 75 So. 3d 745 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011) (successfully obtained affirmance of appeal of order denying motion to amend to bring cross claim by pilot against aircraft manufacturer in airplane crash case).
Dubai World Corp. v. Jaubert, 2011 WL 579213 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 8, 2011) (granting summary judgment on fraud and defamation counterclaims in client’s favor, finding liability in favor of client on breach of contract claim; at later trial, obtaining directed verdict on breach of contract claim, and jury verdict against remaining counterclaim against client for abuse of process).
Lisa, S.A. v. Gutierrez Mayorga, 993 A.2d 1042 (Del. 2010) (successfully obtained affirmance of dismissal of multi-million dollar fraud action to Guatemala on forum non conveniens grounds, established new law in Delaware involving later-filed actions), aff’g, 2009 WL 1846308 (Del. Chan. Ct. Jun. 22, 2009).
Empresa De Telecommunicaciones De Bogota S.A. E.S.P. v. Mercury Telco Group, Inc., 670 F. Supp. 2d 1357 (S.D Fla. 2009) (order confirming $7 million international arbitration award in face of arguments that award was entered without notice).
Mercury Telco Group, Inc., v. Empresa De Telecommunicaciones De Bogota S.A. E.S.P., 670 F. Supp. 2d 1350 (S.D Fla. 2009) (order compelling arbitration on claims ranging from defamation to tortious interference and Lanham Act claims).
Lisa, S.A. v. Gutierrez, 992 So. 2d 413 (Fla. 3d. DCA 2008) (successfully obtained affirmance of dismissal of multi-million in rem to Guatemala for forum non conveniens).
Lisa, S.A. v. Gutierrez, 993 So. 2d 531 (Fla. 3d DCA 2008) (successfully obtained affirmance of $25 million fraud and rescission claim for failure to state a claim).
Lisa, S.A. v. Gutierrez, 240 Fed. Appx. 822, 2007 WL 1667229 (11th Cir. June 11, 2007) (successfully obtained affirmance of dismissal of multi-million RICO action to Guatemala for forum non conveniens), aff’g, 441 F. Supp. 2d 1233 (S.D. Fla. 2006).
Rintin Corp. S.A. v. Domar, Ltd., 476 F.3d 1254 (11th Cir. 2007) (successfully obtained affirmance in appeal of first impression from order confirming, pursuant to Florida International Arbitration Act, multi-million dollar international arbitration award containing anti-suit injunction against foreign proceedings), aff’g, 374 F. Supp. 2d 1165 (S.D. Fla. 2005).
Port of $ale, Inc. v. Citibank, N.A., Case No. 2000/163 (D.V.I. May 2006) (trial of commercial landlord/tenant dispute in which plaintiff was seeking over $1million in compensatory and punitive damages) (settled during trial).
Jericho All Weather Opportunity Fund, LP v. NRI, LLC, 160 So. 3d 439 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015) (successfully obtained affirmance on appeal of order denying motion to vacate judgment in fraud claim involving sale of office building).
In re Pinchuk, 2014 WL 1745047 (S.D. Fla. 2014) (successfully denying deposition in section 1782 petition in support of international arbitration); 2014 WL 1153027 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 17, 2014) (successfully denying consolidation of separate section 1782 petitions in support of different tribunals); 2014 WL 1328484 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 31, 2014) (successfully granting motion to stay section 1782 petition in support of Cyprus court proceedings when disputes may be subject to arbitration).
Warter v. Boston Securities, S.A., 2004 WL 691787, 17 Fla. L. Weekly Fed. D 507 (S.D. Fla. Mar 22, 2004) (NO. 03-81026-CIV/RYSKAMP) (denying motion to remand of action based upon international banking and financial operations of national bank under Edge Act; dismissing claim for negligence pursuant to economic loss rule)
Recognitions
- Ranked in Chambers USA for Florida Litigation: General Commercial, Band 2, 2016-2025
- “Highly recommended” in 2023 edition of the Latin Lawyer 250 – Arbitration
Lexology Thought Leaders Commercial Litigation 2025
Credentials
Education
Education
- University of Florida, 1990, J.D., Valedictorian, Order of the Coif; Editor-in-Chief, Florida Law Review
- University of Florida, 1986, B.A.
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Florida
Court admissions
Court admissions
- Supreme Court - United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - Southern District of Florida
- U.S. District Court - Middle District of Florida
- U.S. District Court - Northern District of Florida
Professional affiliations
Professional affiliations
- Chair-Elect, the Section of International Law of the American Bar Association (ABA)
- Emeritus Member of the Board of Directors of the Miami International Arbitration Society
- Florida, Board Certified for International Litigation and Arbitration
- Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of International Arbitrators
- Former Chair of the Florida Bar Certification Board for International Litigation and Arbitration
- Member, American Law Institute
- Former Vice-Chair, Secretary/Operations Officer Revenue, Membership, and Budget Officers and Division Director for Disputes of the Section of International Law of the ABA
- Former Co-Chair of the International Litigation Committee of the International Law Section of the ABA
- Former Vice-Chair of the International Arbitration Committee of the International Law Section of the ABA
- Former Co-Chair of the International Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Committees of the Section of Litigation of the ABA
- Former Co-Editor of the International Litigation Quarterly of the ABA Section of Litigation
- Former Chair of the Florida Bar International Law Section
- Former Co-Editor of the Florida Bar International Law Quarterly
- Former Chair of the Appellate Court Rules Committee of the Florida Bar
- Former Chair of the International and Appellate Courts Committees of the Dade County Bar
News
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