Page 19 - Miami Vol 6 No 2

AALM: What case most de ned or rede­ ned your practice?
Hamilton: The case that had the most profound impact on my practice was be­ ing lead trial counsel in the case involv­ ing the sinking of the SS El Faro, and the loss of all her crew during Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015. Its loss was re­ garded as one of the worst maritime ship­ ping disasters in modern U.S. history. The families of the crew filed numerous wrongful death claims and there were multiple ongoing governmental investi­ gations. To head a team as the lead trial counsel, which included talented lawyers from firms such as K&L Gates, Holland & Knight, Baker Hostetler, Blank Rome, Burke Parsons, Fowler White, and Reed Smith, was definitely a defining moment in my practice. However, it was not the exceptional team or the powerhouse of legal talent that had the most profound effect on me; it was not the management of the crisis or the six weeks of govern­ mental hearings which left an indelible mark. It was how our client came to the aid of the families who lost loved ones that impressed me the most. How they cared. Within 19 months, the president, the CEO and general counsel of the com­ panies made sure that every family mem­ bers’ claims were resolved and that the important task to ensure that the tragedy never happened again was well under way. To witness this confirmed my faith that there are leaders in the industry that are fair, compassionate and caring. Peo­ ple who did not just look at the bottom line, but who made sure this tragedy was not in vain. That was what mattered the most. It was my biggest takeaway.
I adopted the general counsel's credo that he gave before every meeting – trans­ parency, communication, and teamwork. ose words are truly the foundation of any successful relationship. Live by those words and I truly believe anyone can have a our­ ishing law practice.
AALM: What do you most hope to ac­ complish in the future?
Hamilton: I am on a mission to cre­ ate a firm that will have a significant impact on the legal and social landscape of our communities. In the next five to 10 years, I see our continued growth in the defense of commercial general liabil­ ity matters, employment, construction, professional malpractice, retail and hos­
pitality and complex commercial claims. Our insurance defense and coverage practice, maritime and international practice in the Caribbean will continue to expand. Our footprint in Puerto Rico will be bigger. In 10 years, we will prob­ ably plateau around 100 lawyers. I see our firm’s involvement in our commu­ nities expanding to other schools and causes to make sure our children get the education they need. We want to be the champions of laying the foundations for an unshakeable childhood education be­ cause we as a firm and our lawyers have that burning passion inside of us. Our diversity is essential to these long­range goals and is always in the forefront of our minds.
AALM: What events are you most look­ ing forward to in the coming year?
Hamilton: e event I cannot wait for is the completion of the Law Academy Program at Brownsville Middle School. e Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel Chari­ table Foundation is proud of its collabo­ ration with the New Education Initiatives and other community partners to create a unique program advancing legal educa­ tion at Brownsville Middle School. We are well on the way to completing the con­ struction of a 21st century mock court­ room with audio visual technology, juror observation rooms and much more for its students. It is anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. e excitement I see on the children’s faces when we have mock trials and mock appellate argu­ ments and when we take them to visit the state, federal and appellate courts, is in­ credibly inspiring.
Superstars 2017 Attorney at Law Magazine® South Florida | 19
At a Glance
Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel LLP
150 SE 2nd Ave., Suite 1200 Miami, FL 33131
(305) 379­3686 www.hamiltonmillerlaw.com
Select Practice Areas
Admiralty & Maritime
Commercial Litigation
Legal & Medical Malpractice Defense Complex Commercial Litigation Catastrophic and Mass Tort Claims Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Defense Insurance Defense & Coverage
Products Liability
Education
Juris Doctor, University of Florida, School of Law, 1992
Bachelor of Arts in Finance, University of Miami, 1988
Select Professional Memberships
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel Litigation Counsel of America
International Association of Defense Counsel Defense Research Institute
Council on Litigation Management National Association of Minority and
Women Owned Law Firms
Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Academy of Hospitality Industry Attorneys Caribbean Bar Association, Founding
Member & Past President
Maritime Law Association, Proctor Member Dade County Bar, Board of Directors,
1998­2003, 2015­2017
Select Honors
Board Certi ed in Civil Trial Law & Admiralty and Maritime Law
Listed in Best Lawyers in America Ranked Nationally as One of the Top Ten
Defense Lawyers, AIG
Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow Florida’s Legal Elite, Florida Trend Florida Super Lawyers, Law & Politics Best of the Bar, South Florida
Business Journal
Top Lawyer, South Florida Legal Guide,
2013, 2016
AV Preeminent, Martindale­Hubbell
Community Involvement
Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel Charitable Foundation
Brownsville Middle School Project Broward Community College Foundation,
Former Board of Director Member Urban League of Broward County, Former
Board of Directors Member
Hobbies
Golf, Boating, Reading, and Coaching My Children’s Sports Teams
Favorite Quote
“And will you succeed? Yes, you will indeed! (98 and 3⁄4 percent guaranteed)” – Dr. Seuss
Robert Klemm Photography