2025 was a busy year at Schlesinger Law Offices. We expanded our team, remained active in our community, and secured several multi-million-dollar results for our clients. The firm also began litigation in additional matters involving product liability, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, and wrongful death.
At Schlesinger Law Offices, we believe that Truth = Justice, and we work hard to uncover the truth for every client we represent. As our work continues into 2026, we’re taking a moment to look back at the past year.
Notable Results:
Last year, we secured nearly $100 million in verdicts and settlements for our clients. Recent results include the following:
- Medical Malpractice: Contraindicated eye procedure resulted in significant vision loss in one eye, achieved a $1.1 million recovery.
- Motorcycle Collision: Rear-end crash in stopped I-95 traffic caused multiple fractures and reconstructive knee surgery; case resulted in a $2.3million jury verdict.
- Medical Malpractice/Wrongful Death: Case involving a cancer patient with critically low platelets and an alleged failure to timely intervene before a fatal intracranial hemorrhage; resolved confidentially.
- Negligent Security: Violent assault outside a luxury hotel; resolved confidentially.
- Commercial Vehicle Collision: Collision involving a commercial truck and severe psychological injuries; resolved prior to trial.
- Auto Negligence: Automobile negligence case involving disputed liability and damages; resolved prior to trial.
- Construction Site Wrongful Death: Fatal construction-site incident; resolved confidentially.
- Elevator Entrapment/Catastrophic Injury: Prolonged elevator entrapment followed by catastrophic medical injury; claims against certain defendants resolved confidentially, with litigation continuing against others.
- Medical Malpractice: Case alleging delayed diagnosis of breast cancer; resolved before filing.
- Mass Tort: Participation in a national MDL involving infant formula claims, including leadership work contributing to a global resolution.
Team Updates
In 2025, we welcomed two new attorneys to Schlesinger Law Offices. Their experience strengthens our team, and we’re glad to have them on board.
Elana Goodman brings more than two decades of experience in personal injury litigation to Schlesinger Law Offices. Her practice focuses on representing plaintiffs in cases involving catastrophic injury and wrongful death arising from defective products, dangerous premises, and serious motor vehicle accidents. Elana is also a member of the Schlesinger Law Offices team litigating multi-district claims against Uber and Lyft related to sexual assaults committed by their drivers.
Before transitioning to plaintiff-side litigation, Elana was a partner at a South Florida law firm in its insurance defense division. There, she litigated a wide range of civil matters, including claims involving sexual abuse and assault, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, premises liability, and motor vehicle accidents.
James E. O’Connell is a plaintiffs’ trial lawyer with over 25 years of experience in representing people who have been seriously harmed by the wrongdoing of others. At Schlesinger Law, Jim focuses on personal injury cases involving wrongful death, product liability, negligent security, premises liability, motor vehicle and boating negligence, and medical malpractice.
Jim’s approach to injury cases combines deep knowledge and experience with common sense, compassion and strategic aggression. He attributes his success to working collaboratively with his law partners and legal staff to multiply the strength of our cases. The most rewarding aspect of his career has been getting to know his clients and deeply understanding their strengths and challenges so that he can stand up for them against opposing insurance companies and in courtrooms before juries.
Service, Sponsorships, and Events
- We supported the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association by sponsoring its Board Installation Dinner, where Gloria Contreras-Piana was appointed to the Board.
- Team members participated in several Broward County Hispanic Bar Association events, including the Past Presidents’ Dinner, Turkey Drive, and a holiday event of creating gift baskets for local teens in foster care.
- In September, Schlesinger Law Offices sponsored the Sunshine State Awards, Florida’s oldest and largest journalism competition. The awards recognize the year’s best professional and student work.
- We collaborated with Funding Arts Broward to host an evening for their members at our office celebrating local Florida artists, especially the Florida Highwaymen
Driven by Justice
Schlesinger Law Offices is a multigenerational law firm serving clients in South Florida and across the United States. Over the years, we have built a legacy of trust, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of justice for injury victims. Our attorneys are known for standing up to large corporations and advocating for our clients. We refuse to settle for less than our clients deserve, and look forward to continuing that work in 2026.
Get in Touch
Unsure if you have a case? Need legal support or interested in referrals? Contact us at 954-467-8800 or through our contact form. You can also stay connected by signing up for our newsletter.