Patricia A. Leonard
Shareholder
Beasley Hauser Kramer Leonard & Galardi, P.A.
Suite 1500
505 S Flagler Dr.
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Phone: (561) 835-0900
Fax: (561) 835-0939
E-Mail: leonard @beasleylaw.net
Areas of Practice
Commercial and Business Litigation, Trust & Estate Litgation, and Executive Employment Matters.
Experience
Patti Leonard has successfully handled numerous complex business and commercial litigation matters in state and federal courts, and in arbitration. Her broad experience includes matters involving breach of contract (including non-compete and other employment contracts), partnership and corporate disputes, trusts & estates disputes, shareholder derivative lawsuits, legal malpractice matters, and real estate litigation. Patti has also litigated trade secret, unfair competition, defamation, and copyright infringement cases.
Awards & Recognition
- Recognized as one of the “Top 50 Women Super Lawyers 2010” in the state of Florida by Florida Super Lawyers Magazine.
- Named among the “Florida Super Lawyers” by Florida Super Lawyers magazine from 2007 through 2010
- Named in the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Florida Super Lawyers – Corporate Counsel Edition
- Named one of the Florida “Legal Elite” by Florida Trend magazine for 2006, 2008 and 2009.
- Named a “Top Up and Comer” attorney in the South Florida Legal Guide from 2006 through 2010.
- “AV” rated by Martindale-Hubble (highest rating for ethical standards and legal ability) since 2005.
Education
University of Miami School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 1995
Law Review: Senior Articles Editor; Moot Court Board; Phi Delta Phi Honorary Legal Fraternity (Vice-President); Order of Barristers; Order of the Coif; recipient of Dean’s Honor Scholarship and Zbar Scholarship. University of Virginia, B.A., English Language and Literature, 1988, Dean’s List.
Bar and Court Admissions
United States Supreme Court, 2010
Florida Bar, 1995
U.S. Court of Appeals, 11th Circuit, 2002
U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, 1997
U.S. District Court, Southern Dist. of Fla., 1996
U.S. District Court, Northern Dist. of Fla., 1996
U.S. District Court, Middle Dist. of Fla., 1998
Published Works
“Re-examining the Presumption in Favor of Arbitration in Complex Commerical Cases,” 84 Fla. B.J. 8, (Mar. 2010)
“Is Expert Testimony Really Needed in Attorneys' Fees Litigation? Island Hoppers' Call For Change and Other Ways to Reduce the Burdens of Fees Hearings,” 77 Fla. B.J. 38, (Jan. 2003)
“Reasonable and Realistic Assessments: Nominal Offers of Judgment in Florida after Eagleman v. Eagleman,” 71 Fla. B.J. 79, (May, 1997)
"The Clean Air Act's Mandate of Employer Trip-Reduction Programs: Is this a Workable Solution to the Country's Air Pollution Problems?,” 49 U. Miami L.R. 827 (1995)
Classes, Seminars and Speaking Engagements
Commercial Litigation and Commercial Trial Advocacy. Palm Beach County Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference. (Nov. 7, 2008).
Making a Good Name for Yourself as a Lawyer. Palm Beach County Bar Association Bench-Bar Conference. (Oct. 12, 2007 and Nov. 7, 2008).
Making a Good Name for Yourself as a Lawyer. Palm Beach County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Seminar. (Oct. 26, 2007).
Litigation Skills in Florida: Offers of Judgment/Proposals for Settlement. Lorman Education Services (June 2000).
Professional Associations and Membership
Palm Beach County Bar Association. Member, 1995 to present.
Judicial Relations Committee; 2002-2003; 2008 to present (Chair 2009-2010)
Independence of the Judiciary Committee, 2006 to 2009 (Co-Chair 2006-2008)
Professionalism Committee, 2002 to 2005 (Co-Chair 2003-2005)
Young Lawyers Division, 1996 to 1998.
15th Judicial Circuit Professionalism Committee. Member, 2003 to 2005.
Economic Council of Palm Beach County, Florida. Member, 2005 to present.
Florida Bar Association. Client's Security Fund Committee. 2009-present.
Florida Association of Women Lawyers, Palm Beach Chapter. Member, 1995 to present. Co-Chair, Pro Bono Committee, 2002 to 2003. Co-Chair, Judicial Reception Committee, 2003 to 2005.
Executive Women of the Palm Beaches. Member, 1999 to present. Membership Committee, 2001 to 2004 (Co-Chair 2003-2004).
University of Virginia Alumni Club of the Palm Beaches. Member, 1995 to present; President, 2002 to 2004; Vice President, 1999 to 2002.
Overtures: Young Friends of the Palm Beach Opera. Steering Committee, 2006 to 2008.
Craig S. Barnard American Inns of Court. Member, 1997 to 2005.
Group Leader, 2002 to 2003.
Emeritus Member, 2004 to 2005.
The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers. Member, 2003 to present.
Selected Reported Decisions
Barbara A. Fach, et al. v. Brown Brothers Harriman Trust Co. of Fla., 949 So.2d 260 (Fla. 4th DCA Feb. 7, 2007).
McKerns v. WCI Communities, Inc., 2006 WL 1010505 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Apr. 6, 2006).
Boswell v. Boswell, 2005 WL 1020468 (Fla. Cir. Ct. Apr. 13, 2005).
Hanna v. WCI Communities, Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d 1332 (S.D. Fla. Dec. 2, 2004).
Hanna v. WCI Communities, Inc., 348 F.Supp.2d 1322 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 18, 2004).
Tenet Healthcare Corp. v. Maharaj, 859 So.2d 1209 (Fla. 4th DCA 2003).
Anheuser-Busch, Inc. v. Philpot, 317 F.3d 1264 (11th Cir. 2003).
AutoNation USA Corporation v. Jaime Miranda, 789 So.2d 1188 (Fla. 4th DCA 2001).
Vivian Brooks v. Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Florida Inc., 706 So.2d 85 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998).
Somerset Pharmaceuticals Inc. v. Donna Shalala, 973, F.Supp. 443 (D. Del. 1997).
Prior Employment and Work Experience
Attorney, Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A., West Palm Beach, Florida, 1995 – 2002
Summer Internship, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Judge Kenneth L. Ryskamp
Personnel industry, and on-air radio personality
