Page 17 - Miami Vol 8 No 1

AALM: Tell us about an unusual incident from your career.
Gooden: I argued the rst oral argument held in the main court- room of the First District Court of Appeal’s new courthouse. e room was lled with press and onlookers. My case involved inter- pretation of an insurance statute and was a case of rst impression. It is unusual for a young appellate attorney to be thrust into the spotlight – especially for his or her rst oral argument.
AALM: How would you describe the culture of the rm?
Gooden: Even though it is over 65 years old, Boyd & Jenerette is a modern rm. e rm employs a team approach to deliver superior client service. It focuses on technology to decrease xed overhead costs and encourages remote and ex working. My entire team of appellate attorneys, including myself, work remotely. is encourages a diverse, as well as a happy, workforce. Over 60 percent of our attorneys are female and there are many women in leader- ship positions.
AALM: What case most de ned or rede ned your practice?
Gooden: My rst appeal – Allstate Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co. v. Lewis, 14 So. 3d 1230 (Fla. 1st DCA 2009). Before this case, I only handled insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Our team successfully convinced the court to overturn the trial court’s order granting a new trial and to reinstate the defense verdict. e court held that a compulsory medical examiner may explain his or her opinions and is not con ned to the exact wording of the expert report. While there have been many appeals since and some more important in the overall scope of the law, this case established my love for appel- late practice.
AALM: What is the one piece of advice you would give to a stu- dent or young attorney who would like to follow in your footsteps? Gooden: Learn to make yourself indispensable to your partners, law rm, and clients. is will help establish your role within your
rm, provide job security, and help build your book of business. AALM: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
Gooden: Two and a half years ago, I moved back to Miami a er
living in Jacksonville for many years. e Miami legal community welcomed me back with open arms. For this, I am grateful!
At a Glance
BOYD & JENERETTE, PA
P.O. Box 565596 Miami, FL 33256 (305) 537-1238 www.boydjen.com
LOCATIONS
Jacksonville
Boca Raton Orlando Savannah, Georgia
PRACTICE AREAS
Appellate
Trial & Litigation Support
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, St. Thomas School of Law, 2008
Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Minor in Criminal Justice, James Madison University, 2004
AWARDS
Board Certi ed in Appellate Practice AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-
Hubbell
Appellate Practice, Florida Super
Lawyers Rising Star, 2011-Present Amicus Award, Florida Defense
Lawyers Association, 2015 Featured Pro le, Trial Advocate
Quarterly Publication, Fall/Winter
Edition, 2016
James A. Dixon Young Lawyer
Award, Florida Defense Lawyers
Association, 2017
Rising Star Featured Article, Attorney
at Law Magazine First Coast, Aug.
2016
Top Ten Attorneys Under 40,
Attorney at Law Magazine First
Coast, Oct. 2016
Women of the Law Edition, Attorney
at Law Magazine First Coast, June
2017
Top Ten Attorneys Under 40,
Attorney at Law Magazine First Coast, Dec. 2017