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Alina Alonso Rodriguez

Alina Alonso Rodriguez

Co-Managing Partner
Phone:305-995-6096

For nearly 25 years, Alina has represented defendants in civil matters in state and federal courts throughout Florida and other jurisdictions.

As an experienced appellate attorney, she handles all aspects of appellate litigation. Her practice also includes providing legal issues support at the trial court level. Generally, this encompasses developing and implementing the strategy on legal issues, and ensuring that issues are preserved for appeal. Specifically, prior to trial, she briefs and argues dispositive motions, motions to exclude expert testimony and motions in limine. At trial, she briefs and argues complex evidentiary issues, motions for directed verdicts and proposed jury instructions and verdict forms. Following a verdict, she drafts and argues post-trial motions and handles the transition from the trial court to the appellate court. 

Her substantive areas of concentration are product liability, catastrophic personal injury, general tort and complex commercial litigation. She also has significant experience handling cross-border matters involving injuries or damages occurring in foreign countries, including Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico and Venezuela. 

Prior to entering private practice, she clerked for two years at the Florida Supreme Court for former Justice R. Fred Lewis. There, she worked on significant issues in both civil and criminal cases.

Bar Admissions

  • Florida, 1999

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida

Education

  • University of Miami School of Law, J.D., 1999

    cum laude

  • Florida International University, B.S., 1996

    summa cum laude


Professional Associations

    • American Bar Association: Product Liability Committee 
      —Membership and Diversity, Co-Chair, 2018 – 2024; 2013 – 2016
      —Website Editor, Co-Chair, 2016 – 2018
      —Annual Meeting and Section of Litigation Annual Conference Planning, Co-Chair, 2010 – 2012 
      —Young Lawyers, Co-Chair, 2007 – 2009 
    • American Bar Association: Appellate Practice Committee
    • American Bar Association: Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section
      —Spring Meeting Program Planning Committee, 2013 – 2014 
      —Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation Program, Co-Chair, 2009 – 2010
    • The Florida Bar
      —Appellate Practice Section, Executive Council, 2011 – 2014
      The Record - Journal of the Appellate Practice Section,  Editor-in-Chief, 2009 – 2011; Assistant Editor, 2005 – 2009
    • Third District Court of Appeal Historical Society
      —President, 2013 – 2014
      —Past Officer, 2009 – 2013

Distinctions

    • Super Lawyers Magazine
      —Florida Super Lawyers, 2013 – 2024
      —Florida Rising Stars, 2009 – 2012
    • South Florida Legal Guide
      Listed, 2014 – 2015
      —"Up & Comer," 2008 – 2010
    • Daily Business Review
      Most Effective Lawyers, Finalist, 2010
    • Florida Trends
      Included in Florida Legal Elite, 2004 – 2006, 2008, 2011
    • Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's “40 Under 40” Outstanding Lawyers of Miami-Dade County, 2010
    • Martindale-Hubbell
      —Rated AV Preeminent

Languages

  • Spanish

Clerkships

    Florida Supreme Court, Hon. R. Fred Lewis Law Clerk, 1999-2001

Recent Verdicts & Case Studies


CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

Recent News, Events and Blogs


Name / Date / Type
Practice
Industry
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Speaking Engagements

  • “Make Your Record Appealing,” Client Hot Topics Seminar, May 2018
  • "Winning When Your Case Goes Into Extra Innings," Speaker, ACC South Florida's 8th Annual CLE Conference, March 2017
  • "Make Your Record Appealing," Speaker, Client Defense Counsel Meeting, March 2017
  • "The Ethics of Negotiation," Moderator, Women of the Section of Litigation Conference: Leading, Litigating, and Connecting (ABA), Chicago, IL, November 2014
  • "Experts in the Sunshine State: Universal Issues in the Context of Resort, Tourism, and Cruise Line Cases," TIPS Spring Leadership Meeting, Boca Raton, FL, May 2014
  • "Litigation, Arbitration, Mediation: Is One Option better Than the Others?," HNBA 2014 Corporate Counsel Conference, Orlando, FL, March 2014
  • "Improper Statements and Conduct in Opening and Closing Arguments," ABA Section of Litigation Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2013
  • “Passing the Test: Exploring the Parameters of Risk Utility and Consumer Expectations,” DRI Product Liability Conference, New Orleans, LA, April 2011
  • “‘We’re Hopelessly Deadlocked Your Honor’ – Now What? Hung Juries In Auto Products Cases,” American Bar Association, 2008 Emerging Issues in Motor Vehicle Product Liability Litigation, Phoenix, AZ, April 2008
  • “Basic Appellate Practice,” The Florida Bar Legal Education Committee & The Young Lawyers Division, Florida, September & March 2006, October 2007, November 2008, and October 2010

Publications

  • "Don't Let The Two Issue Rule Send Your Appeals Down the Drain," Co-Author, I Object! A Blog on Preservation of Error, January 2016
  • "Forgetting Rule 403," Co-Author, I Object! A Blog on Preservation of Error, February 2015
  • "Eleventh Circuit Holds Rule 23 Trumps State Law Precluding Private Class Actions," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, July 2015
  • "Court Declines to Certify Class Alleging Off-Label Marketing of Cancer Drug," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, April 2015
  • "Sweet Ending for Plaintiffs in Food Labeling Class Action Against Ghirardelli," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, March 2015
  • "District of Colorado Declines To Certify Deceptive Practices Class," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, February 2015
  • "Food for Thought: 2014 Litigation Annual Review," Co-Author, Client Alert, February 2015
  • “Preparing for the Appeal,” Product Liability Litigation: Current Law, Strategies and Best Practices, PLI Treatise, October 2009; updated through 2014
  • "Eleventh Circuit Holds Unaccepted Rule 68 Offer To Named Plaintiffs Does Not Moot A Class Action," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, December 2014
  • "First Circuit Adopts Bright-Line Rule on CAFA Removal Trigger And Broadly Defines Other Paper," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, November 2014
  • "American Pipe Tolling Inapplicable In Texas Negligent Misstatement Case," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, October 2014
  • "District Court Cleans Up Whirlpool Washing Machine Class Definition," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, September 2014
  • "Ninth Circuit Affirms Summary Judgment for Defendant Taco Bell in Putative TCPA Text Message Class Action," Client Newsletter, Summer 2014
  • "Amended Class Definition That Excludes Putative Class Member Does not Preclude American Pipe Trolling," Co-Author, Classified: The Class Action Blog, June 2014
  • "Opening Statements and Closing Arguments: What Constitutes Improper Argument and the Importance of Preserving Error," TIPS Trial Tactics Newsletter, Summer 2013
  • "Tips for Opening Statements and Closing Arguments," Web Article, August 2013
  • "Florida Supreme Court Modifies State Forum Non Conveniens Doctrine as to the Level of Deference Owed to an Out-of-State Plaintiff’s Choice of Forum," Web Article, June 2013
  • “Are You Certifiable,” The Record - Journal of the Appellate Practice Section, Summer 2010
  • “Toward a More ‘Convenient’ Standard of Review in Cases Involving Forum Non Conveniens Issues,” Co-Author, The Florida Bar Journal, January 2010
  • “Pro Bono Opportunities for Appellate Attorneys,” The Record - Journal of the Appellate Practice Section, Summer 2008
  • “Back to School with Chief Justice Lewis,” The Record – Journal of the Appellate Practice Section, Summer 2007
  • “Justice Quince Honored at the ABA Annual Meeting,” The Record – Journal of the Appellate Practice Section, Fall 2006
  • “Appellate Feast at the Annual Bar Meeting,” The Record – Journal of the Appellate Practice Section, Summer 2005

Representative Cases

Representative Cases

CASE RESULTS DEPEND UPON A VARIETY OF FACTORS UNIQUE TO EACH CASE. CASE RESULTS DO NOT GUARANTEE OR PREDICT A SIMILAR RESULT IN ANY FUTURE CASE.

Representative Appeals

  • Tesla, Inc. v. Monserratt, 384 So. 3d 194 (Fla. 4th DCA 2024). Apex deposition.
  • Monserratt v. Tesla, Inc., 362 So. 3d 216 (Fla. 4th DCA 2023). Punitive damages.
  • MasTec v. Morakis, 288 So. 3d 685 (Fla. 4th DCA 2019). Alcohol defense statute; expert testimony. 
  • Llera v. Ford Motor Co. 261 So. 3d 555 (Fla. 4th DCA 2018). Toxicology; expert testimony. 
  • Hennessey v. Ford Motor Co., (10thJud. Cir., Polk County, FL). Attorney disqualification.
  • Zaccone v. Ford Motor Co., 739 Fed. Appx. 602 (11th Cir. 2018). Defect; expert testimony.
  • Magdalinis v. Ford Motor Co., (Fla. 4th DCA 2017). Attorney disqualification.
  • The Goodyear Tire & Rubber v. Turcotte, 241 So. 3d 133 (Fla. 2d DCA 2017). Punitive damages. 
  • Sieling v. Ford Motor Co., 234 So. 3d 779 (Fla. 5th DCA 2017). Magnuson-Moss; Lemon Law. 
  • Ford Motor Co. v. Savelli, 166 So. 3d 805 (5th DCA 2015). Magnuson-Mosst; Lemon Law.
  • Parker v. Continental Tire, 195 So. 3d 387 (Fla. 4th DCA  2015). Accident-free history, animation, previously withdrawn expert.
  • Dixon v. Ford Motor Co., 150 So. 3d 1153 (Fla. 3rd DCA 2014). Asbestos.
  • Osorio v. State Farm Bank, F.S.B., 746 F.3d 1242 (11th Cir. 2014). TCPA.
  • Tyndall v. Ford Motor Co., 749 S.E. 2d 279 (N.C. 2013). Statute of repose amicus curiae brief on behalf of Products Liability Advisory Council ("PLAC").
  • Ford Motor Co. v. Stimpson, 115 So. 3d 401 (Fla. 5th DCA 2013). Fraud on the court; expert testimony; closing arguments.
  • Aqualogic, Inc. v. Sabon, Inc., 120 So. 3d 401 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013). TCPA.
  • Chapman v. Ford Motor Co., 489 Fed. Appx. 999 (8th Cir. 2012). Fraud.
  • McDuffie v. Uribe, Nos. 133 So. 3d 947 (Fla. 3d DCA 2012). Use of treatise, improper introduction of evidence, improper closing argument in medical malpractice action.
  • Daly v. Ford Motor Co., 88 So.3d 953 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011). Asbestos.
  • Phillips v. Ford Motor Co., 50 So. 3d 1044 (Fla. 4th DCA 2011). Forum non conveniens.
  • Alonso v. Ford Motor Co., 54 So. 3d 562 (Fla. 3d DCA 2011). Jury misconduct.
  • Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School v. Maynoldi, 30 So. 3d 533 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). Negligence. 
  • Pastor v. Bridgestone/Firestone N. Am. Tire, LLC, et al., 563 F.3d 663 (7th Cir. 2009). Forum non conveniens.
  • Paolicelli v. Ford Motor Co., 289 Fed. Appx. 387 (11th Cir. 2008). Forum non conveniens.
  • Bridgestone/Firestone N. Am. Tire, LLC, v. Garcia, 991 So. 2d 912 (Fla. 4th DCA 2008). Forum non conveniens.
  • Stimpson v. Ford Motor Co., 988 So. 2d 1119 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008). Statute of repose.
  • Ford Motor Co. v. Hall-Edwards, 971 So. 2d 854 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Other accident evidence; subsequent remedial measures; excessive damages.
  • R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. v. Carter, 951 So. 2d 105 (Fla. 3d DCA 2007). Forum non conveniens.
  • TRW Automotive U.S. v. Papandopoles, 949 So. 2d 297 (Fla. 4th DCA 2007). Forum non conveniens.
  • Hamilton v. Ford Motor Co., 926 So. 2d 1203 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006). Attorney’s fees.
  • Schlicht v. Ford Motor Co., 924 So. 2d 826 (Fla. 5th DCA 2006). Jury instruction.
  • Ford Motor Co. v. Nowell, 896 So. 2d 768 (Fla. 4th DCA 2005). Forum non conveniens.
  • Ryder v. AT&T, Inc., 56 Fed. Appx. 292 (11th Cir. 2005). Sufficiency of evidence of willful and wanton misconduct; admission of expert testimony in breach of contract action.
  • Hooker v. Asplundh Tree Expert Co., 915 So. 2d 1199 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005). Employer’s vicarious liability for negligence of employee.
  • Gonzalez v. Martinez, 897 So. 2d 525 (Fla. 3d DCA 2005). Voir dire; expert testimony; medical malpractice action.
  • Horwarth v. Ford Motor Co., 104 Fed. Appx. 152 (11th Cir. 2004). Defect.
  • Dvorak v. Prudential Ins., 54 Fed. Appx. 690 (11th Cir. 2002). Statute of limitations, negligent supervision, fiduciary duty and constructive fraud in commercial action.


Appellate Support at Trial

  • Becker v. Ford Motor Co. (Tenn. 2022). Seat belt.
  • Morakis v. MasTec/Dumas (Fla. 2021). Negligence.
  • Bell v. Ford Motor Co. (Md. 2019). Asbestos.
  • Coates v. Ford Motor Co. (Md. 2019). Asbestos.
  • Cruz v. Ford Motor Co. (S.D. Fla. 2018). Airbag.
  • Llera v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2017). Airbag.
  • Morakis v. MasTec/Dumas (Fla. 2016). Negligence.
  • Kramer v. Ford Motor Co. (D. Minn. 2016). Unintended acceleration.
  • Jenks v. Ford Motor Co. (Va. 2016). Unintended acceleration. 
  • Stockton v. Ford Motor Co. (Tenn. 2015). Asbestos.
  • Hubbird v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2014). Tobacco.
  • Wilcox v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2014). Tobacco.
  • Frankel v. Frankel (Fla. 2014). Securities Fraud.
  • Wendel v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2014). Tobacco.
  • Cuculino v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2014). Tobacco.
  • Dixon v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2013). Asbestos.
  • Maynoldi v. Archbishop Coleman F. Carroll High School (Fla. 2011). School’s negligence.
  • Reese v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2011). Tobacco.
  • Ojeda v. R.J. Reynolds (Fla. 2011). Tobacco.
  • Stimpson v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2010). Unintended Acceleration.
  • Sanchez v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2009). Explorer rollover.
  • Robinson v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2008). Explorer rollover.
  • Mayor v. Land Rover (Fla. 2007). Seat belt.
  • Nowell v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2007). Explorer rollover; seat belt.
  • Alonso v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2006). Explorer rollover.
  • McNeil Miller v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2006). Explorer rollover.
  • Martin v. Ford Motor Co. (Fla. 2005). Seat back.
  • Allen v. R.J. Reynolds (S.D. Fla. 2003). Tobacco.