AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell

The Best Lawyers in America, 2008-2009

Board Certified in Appellate Practice, The Florida Bar 

Chambers USA, 2006-2009; listed as a leading Appellate lawyer in Florida

Distinguished Pro Bono Advocate Award, 2007; Received from Bay Area Legal Services, Inc. for demonstrating a long-standing commitment to providing exceptional pro bono services to the local community. 

The Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 2002; Recognizes individual service in each of Florida's specific jurisdictional circuits for personal commitment to providing legal services to the underprivileged. 

Florida Legal Elite, Florida Trend Magazine, 2005-2008; ranked in the top 2% of practicing Florida Bar Members.

Florida Super Lawyers, 2006-2009; listed as one of the Top 50 Female Lawyers in all years.

Have a Heart Pro Bono Service Award, 2009; Recognizes efforts of Hillsborough County attorneys for exceptional pro bono contributions.

Jimmy Kynes Pro Bono Award, 2000; Received Hillsborough County Bar Association Pro Bono Award given for hundreds of hours devoted to appeals representing low income residents affected by utility rate hike, guardian ad litem and other Bay Area Legal Servcies clients

Hala A. Sandridge practices in all facets of commercial appeals and has directly handled hundreds of appeals in both state and federal appeals courts.  

Associate Hiring Partner
Member: Diversity Committee
Chair: Pro Bono Committee
Chair: USLFG Recruiting Committee
Member: United Way Committee 

Past Experience

• Florida Supreme Court, Honorable Leander Shaw, Judicial Internship

Significant Reported Decisions  

• Jackson National Life Insurance Company v. Lovallo, Case No. 1D08-2536 (Fla. 5th DCA 5/4/2009). Obtained reversal of summary judgment by successfully arguing Florida law does not require insurance company to give owner of life insurance policy additional notice of the right to renew the policy before it, expired.
• Clement v. Lipson, 999 So. 2d 1072 (Fla. 5th DCA 2008).  Secured reversal of order denying motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction because defendants’ activities protected by corporate shield doctrine.
• Estate of Johnson v. Badger Acquisition, 983 So. 2d 1175 (Fla. App., 2008).  Kept summary judgment on appeal of order determining consultant pharmacist owed not duty to nursing home resident to ensure nursing home complied with its duty of care.
• Progressive Express Ins. Co. v. Reaume, 937 So. 2d 1120 (Fla. App., 2006).  Obtained writ of certiorari ordering trial court to dismiss lawsuit because insured had not sought administrative relief before pursuing a civil cause of action.
• Variable Annuity Life Ins. Co. v. Hausinger, 927 So. 2d 243 (Fla. 2d DCA 2006). Overturned order denying VALIC motion for preliminary injunction against its former employee because trial court erred as a matter of law when it rejected the statutory presumption of irreparable harm. 
• Wood v. Green, 323 F.3d 1309 (11th Cir. 2003). Successfully represented Clerk of the Circuit Court in reversing an ADA jury verdict on the basis that the employee's request for an indefinite leave of absence indicated that the employee was requesting an unreasonable accommodation.
• Humana, Inc. v. Castillo, 728 So. 2d 261 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999). Successfully represented Humana to reverse order certifying a class action of policy holders alleging they were fraudulently induced to enroll in HMO policy.
  

Presentations

• “Preservation of Error in Employment Appeals:  What You do In The Trial Court May Limit Your Options on Appeal,”  AFMA Conference, Orlando, FL, October 2008
• “Hot Topics and Tips in Post-Trial Motion,”  Tampa Bay Inns of Court, Tampa, Florida, May, 2008
• “Select Post-Trial Issues In State And Federal Court,” Hillsborough County Bar Association, Tampa, FL April, 2008
• "Preserving Your Case for Appeal," Nationwide Trial Division, Florida Annual Attorney Meeting, June 2004, 2005 
• "Federal Appeals: Jurisdiction," Florida Bar Appellate Practice Certification Exam Review Course, Orlando, FL, February 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 
• "Federal Appeals," Stetson Law School, St. Petersburg, FL, January 1996
• "Writs," Hillsborough County Bar Association Seminar, Tampa, FL, March 1995
• "Pro Bono Work From the Large Firm Perspective," Stetson Law School, St. Petersburg, FL, March 1995
• "Writs," Florida Bar Appellate Practice Certification Exam Review Course, Orlando, FL, February 1995

Publications

• "Decisions, Decisions: How the Initial Choice of a State or Federal Forum May Limit Appellate Remedies," Author, Stetson Law Review, Vol. 33, 125
• "The State Action Doctrine In State and Federal Courts," Author, Comment, 11 Fla.St.L.Rev. 893
• "Appellate Relief From Interlocutory Bankruptcy Court Abstentio and Remand Orders: A Reason For Change?" Author, Vol. LXXII, Fla. Bar., p. 92
• "Recovering Attorney Fees in Arbitration: The Unworkable Two-Tiered System," Author, Vol. LXVIII, Fla. Bar., p. 80
• "Structuring Federal Litigation to Preserve Appellate Remedies," Author, THE RECORD, Vol. IV, No. 2