Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law, Rick Alvarez is a trial lawyer with versatility and experience in cases involving unique issues, troublesome facts, or both, such as catastrophic torts, corporate liability and risk management, complex commercial disputes, computer spying, and the First Amendment. His practice over the past 30 years has required knowledge of a wide array of laws and regulations, including, but certainly not limited to, those governing product design, building construction and security, workplace safety, over-the-road trucking, indemnity, data theft and recovery, and civil rights. He practices in both state and federal courts throughout Florida and has been admitted pro hac vice in cases throughout the United States.
People
Richard C. Alvarez
Partner, Litigation
Notable Work
Successfully tried case of online defamation concerning social media influencer, resulting in jury verdict of $1.6 million.
Effectively obtained injunctive relief for a corporation misclassified as an inessential business and forced to close its operations under local Covid-19 ordinances contrary to the “State Emergency Management Act” at Florida Statutes, §§ 252.31-252.60.
Successfully tried a corporation's claims of unauthorized access to its electronic mail under the “Stored Communications Act” at 18 U.S.C. § 2701, resulting in a finding of hundreds of statutory violations and a jury verdict of liability.
Secured final summary judgment, after extensive litigation and discovery, on controversial claims of wrongful death and other torts against a religious organization and its members.
Successfully tried a complex products-liability claim regarding the design of an industrial forklift, resulting in a finding of defectiveness and a jury verdict of liability.
Secured the dismissal of all claims against a corporate corrections agency and its employee under the “Prison Litigation Reform Act” at 42 U.S.C. § 1997e.
Appointed as special counsel to the Office of the Chief Judge for Florida's Thirteenth Judicial Circuit on novel questions regarding public access to official and unofficial records, resulting in formative rulings by the Second District Court of Appeal and Florida Supreme Court.
Affiliations
- Boys and Girls Club of Tampa Bay, Board Member
- Metropolitan Ministries, Former Board Member
Honors and Distinctions
- Board Certified by the Florida Bar in Civil Trial Law
- Best Lawyers, 2021-2025, Listed in Florida for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
- The National Trial Lawyers, Top 100
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Rated
Published Work and Lectures
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Florida Bar CLE, Speaker, "Identifying Viable Cases of Personal Injury,” 2015
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Lorman Education CLE, Speaker, “Premises Liability Cases from Plaintiff’s Perspective,” 2011
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Hillsborough County Bar Association CLE, Speaker, “Essentials of Personal Injury Litigation,” 2008
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81 The Florida Bar Journal, No. 1, 53, Author, “Mislabeling the Pharmacist Who Does More Than Just Mislabel the Prescription - A Study of Pharmaceutical Liability Under Florida Law”
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Hillsborough County Bar Association CLE, Speaker, “Preparing for a Trial by Experts,” 2007
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Hillsborough County Bar Association CLE, Speaker, “A Study of Pharmaceutical Liability Under Florida Law," 2006
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Hillsborough County Bar Association CLE, Speaker, “Workers’ Compensation Immunity in the Aftermath of Tort Reform," 2004
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Hillsborough County Bar Association CLE, Speaker, “Pretrial Preparation, Jury Selection and Trial of Products Liability Suits for Plaintiffs,” 2004
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Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers CLE, Speaker, “Maximizing Damages from Beginning to End,” 2003
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Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers CLE, Speaker, “The Discriminatory Exercise of Peremptory Challenges,” 2002
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Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers CLE, Speaker, “Effective Approaches to Jury Selection in Cases of Products Liability," 2001
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74 The Florida Bar Journal, No. 9, 72, Author, “Parental Consortium: Have You Checked the Children's Claims?”
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Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers CLE, Speaker, “Rebuttal Summation for the Plaintiff,” 2000