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Our Case Results

Experience matters. Our record of success spans complex litigation in federal and state courts, administrative proceedings, and appeals. Below are select representative matters that demonstrate our capabilities and commitment to achieving exceptional results for our clients.

Please note that past results do not guarantee similar outcomes, as each case presents unique circumstances and challenges. We provide these examples to illustrate our experience and approach to complex legal matters.

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At Gellis Law, we measure success by the results we deliver for our clients. Our track record spans federal trials, administrative proceedings, and appeals at all levels. While each case presents unique challenges, these representative matters demonstrate our commitment to sophisticated advocacy.

Complex Litigation

Florida Office of the Attorney General v. Smartbiz Telecom, Case No. 1:22-cv-23945-JEM (S.D. Fla.)

  • Defended against state enforcement action seeking millions in penalties
  • Complex regulatory defense involving federal telecommunications law and state consumer protection statutes
  • Strategic litigation through summary judgment phase significantly reduced client exposure
  • Successfully negotiated resolution for minimal settlement amount
  • Protected client’s business interests while resolving regulatory compliance concerns
 

Administrative & Bid Protest Litigation

Our procurement practice demonstrates strategic thinking in complex challenges:

Egis Projects, Inc. v. Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-2161BID (Fla. DOAH 2021)

  • Successfully defended major infrastructure procurement
  • Obtained pre-hearing dismissal through strategic motion practice
  • Protected multi-million dollar procurement
 

American Lighting & Signalization v. Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-1728BID (Fla. DOAH 2021)

  • Lead counsel in complex procurement challenge
  • Highway infrastructure contract
  • Obtained favorable recommended order
 

Bridges of America, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 16-5237BID (Fla. DOAH 2016)

  • Two-day administrative hearing
  • Complex procurement specifications
  • Obtained favorable recommended order
 

Appellate Practice

Our appellate experience includes precedent-setting cases in federal and state courts:

Federal Appeals

Successfully argued complex matters before the 11th Circuit:

  • Lonergan v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 623 F. App’x 990 (11th Cir. 2015)
  • Barcelona v. Secretary, Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 657 F. App’x 896 (11th Cir. 2016)
  • O’Connor v. Kelley, 644 F. App’x 928 (11th Cir. 2016)
 

State Appeals

Significant victories in Florida’s appellate courts:

  • DiPalma v. Florida Dep’t of Management Services, 300 So. 3d 783 (Fla. 2d DCA 2020)
  • Ray v. Florida Dep’t of Management Services, 279 So. 3d 635 (Fla. 1st DCA 2019)
  • Casanas v. Tandron, No. 3D23-1330 (Fla. 3d DCA 2025)
 

Strategic Resolutions

While we prepare every case for trial, we recognize when strategic resolution better serves our clients:

Securus Technologies, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 17-3893BID

  • Complex telecommunications procurement
  • Strategic resolution through negotiation
  • Protected client’s business interests
 

Radise International v. Florida Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-0118BID

  • Strategic discovery approach
  • Obtained voluntary dismissal
  • Protected agency procurement

 Federal Court Litigation

Constitutional & Civil Rights

Our federal court experience includes successful trials in complex constitutional matters:

Prison Legal News v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, No. 4:12-cv-239-MW/CAS (N.D. Fla.)

  • Conducted four-day federal bench trial in First Amendment challenge
  • Obtained favorable ruling on primary constitutional issues
  • Complex regulatory and constitutional analysis
 

Sallee Byrd v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, No. 4:14-cv-25-RH/CAS (N.D. Fla.)

  • Successfully tried three-day federal jury trial
  • Obtained complete defense verdict on constitutional and wrongful death claims
  • Complex jury presentation of regulatory matters
 

Complete Listing:

Appeals

Federal Appellate Decisions

Lonergan v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 623 F. App’x 990 (11th Cir. 2015)
Jacobs v. Gielow, et al., 640 F. App’x 845 (11th Cir. 2015)
O’Connor v. Kelley, et al., 644 F. App’x 928 (11th Cir. 2016)
Magwood v. Jones, 652 F. App’x 841 (11th Cir. 2016)
Barcelona v. Secretary, Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 657 F. App’x 896 (11th Cir. 2016)
Alsobrook v. Alvarado, 656 F. App’x 489 (11th Cir. 2016)

State Appellate Decisions

Hernandez v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 177 So. 3d 1266 (Fla. 2015) (table)
Magwood v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 182 So. 3d 633 (Fla. 2015) (table)
Murzike v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 164 So. 3d 26 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Daniel v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 183 So. 3d 1081 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Castillo v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 174 So. 3d 452 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Hill v. Jones, 172 So. 3d 872 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Wromas v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 201 So. 3d 648 (Fla. 3d DCA 2015)
Lundberg v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 178 So. 3d 401 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Whitfield v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 181 So. 3d 1191 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Cave v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 180 So. 3d 639 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Murzike v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 181 So. 3d 487 (Fla. 1st DCA 2015)
Murzike v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 182 So. 3d 643 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Richardson v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 182 So. 3d 644 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Datus v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 184 So. 3d 520 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Salmonson v. Bondi, et al., 187 So. 3d 1238 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Rodriguez v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 184 So. 3d 524 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Mency v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 190 So. 3d 66 (Fla. 1st DCA 2016)
Luis M. Harris v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, 226 So. 3d 817 (Fla. 1st DCA 2017)
Ray v. Florida Dep’t of Management Services, 279 So. 3d 635 (Fla. 1st DCA 2019)
DiPalma v. Florida Dep’t of Management Services, 300 So. 3d 783 (Fla. 2nd DCA 2020)
Casanas, et al., v. Tandron, et al., No. 3D23-1330 (Fla. 3d DCA Jan 15, 2025) (primary author of briefs)

Administrative Matters

Egis Projects, Inc. v. Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-2161BID (Fla. DOAH July 20, 2021) (Order Relinquishing Jurisdiction)

-Successfully defended against a bid challenge by showing the protester committed numerous “cone of silence” violations. Obtained order dismissing the case prior to final hearing.

American Lighting & Signalization, LLC v. Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-1728BID (Fla. DOAH Sep. 27, 2021; FDOT Nov. 15, 2021)

-Served as lead counsel in a challenge to the Department’s intended award of a highway lighting asset maintenance contract. Obtained favorable recommended order.

Radise International, L.C. v. Florida Dep’t of Transportation, Case No. 21-0118BID (Fla. DOAH May 6, 2021; FDOT May 7, 2021)

-Successfully defended a challenge to FDOT District Six’s intended award of geotechnical engineering testing services. Propounded discovery which resulted in the Petitioner voluntarily dismissing the case.

GEO Reentry Services, LLC v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 18-0613BID (Fla. DOAH April 20, 2018; FDC May 16, 2018)

-Successfully defended against a challenge to the Department’s intended awards for In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Represented the Department as lead counsel at the Final Hearing held on March 1, 2018. Obtained favorable recommended order, but ultimately rejected all bids due to unrelated budgetary matters.

Securus Technologies, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 17-3893BID (Fla. FDC July 24, 2017)

-Defended the Department’s solicitation specifications for Inmate Telecommunications Services. Conducted discovery and motion practice. Reached an amicable resolution of the issues prior to final hearing.

Bridges of America, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 16-6427BID (Fla. FDC Dec. 2, 2016)

-Defended the Department’s solicitation specifications for In-Prison Substance Abuse Treatment Services. Conducted discovery and motion practice. Reached an amicable resolution of the issues prior to final hearing.

Bridges of America, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 16-5237BID (Fla. DOAH Nov. 23, 2016; Fla. FDC Dec. 22, 2016)

-Served as co-counsel in a two-day bid protest hearing at the Florida Department of Administrative Hearings. Defended the Department’s solicitation specifications for the procurement of a Community Release Center in Orange County, Florida. Obtained favorable recommended order from the Administrative Law Judge.

Bridges of America, Inc. v. Florida Dep’t of Corrections, Case No. 16-2183BID (Fla. FDC May 16, 2016).

-Defended the Department’s decision to reject all bids related to the procurement of a Substance Abuse Transition Re-Entry Center in Broward County, Florida. Conducted discovery and motion practice. Reached an amicable resolution of the issues prior to final hearing.