Colson Hicks Eidson Attorneys Spearhead Pivotal Back-To-School Supply Drive for Miami-Dade Youth

September 12, 2016 / 7:19 am

Legal Community Delivers More Than $10,000 of Supplies and Donations to Underprivileged Students

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (Sept. 12, 2016) – Colson Hicks Eidson attorneys Latoya C. BrownStephanie Casey, and Natalie Rico successfully wrapped up a month-long back-to-school supply drive benefitting hundreds of underprivileged students in Miami-Dade County, collecting more than $10,000 worth of donations and supplies with the support of the local legal community.

The trio of trailblazers – who are members of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (MDFAWL) and the Dade County Bar Association (DCBA) — teamed-up with the local legal organizations to spearhead the drive and raise awareness for youth in need.

In addition to MDFAWL and the DCBA, more than 35 law firms and local organizations participated in the event. In total, the team raised more than $5,000 in monetary donations and received more than 100 backpacks as well as an abundance of school supplies — from composition books and notebooks to rulers, paper, index cards, pencils and more.

“In an ongoing effort to support underprivileged students in our community, we reached out to our colleagues and peers in the legal community for help… and the response has been tremendous,” said Brown, an associate at Colson Hicks Eidson who initiated the program. “We are grateful for the kindness and generosity offered to ensure the drive was a success for so many deserving students that otherwise would not have access to basic school supplies. It was truly a community effort.”

Donations were given to parents and children at the Camillus House and the Division of Student Services for Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ Project UP-START, which assists students living in homeless shelters, on the streets, in motels, or “couch surfing.”  Over the course of the school year, the Division of Student Services identifies and serves approximately 6,000 underprivileged students in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The students and their families go to the “UP-START Shop” to retrieve items they need, such as these important tools for the classroom.

The school supply drive ran throughout the month of August and Brown and her colleagues hope to build on the program’s success next year.

“I hope this year’s effort and impact inspires more people to give next year,” added Brown.

Participating law firms and organizations included: Akerman LLPBercow Radell & FernandezBNI Biscayne ConnectionBrian F. Spector, LLCCarlton FieldsCoffey Burlington, Colson Hicks Eidson, De Cardenas Freixas Stein & Zachary, P.A., Dimond Kaplan & Rothstein, P.A.DLA Piper LLPGenovese Joblove & BattistaGrossman Roth, P.A.Gunster, Hamilton Miller & Birthisel, LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLPKozyak Tropin Throckmorton, LLPJackson LewisJarbath Pena Law GroupJones DayLaw Offices of Karim Batista, P.A.Legon Fodiman, P.A., León Cosgrove, Miami Parking AuthorityMitrani, MRD Consulting, Inc.Robinson Commercial Real EstateRynor, Adamsky & Toland, P.A.McDermott Will & Emery, Panter, Panter & Sampedro, P.A., Peckar & Abramson, P.C.Podhurst Orseck P.A.Sandra Echevarria, P.A.Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Weiss, Alden & Polo, P.A., and Western Union.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

The Law Firm of Colson Hicks Eidson is a trial firm with nearly 50 years of experience handling local, national and international litigation, and arbitration. Members of the firm have been involved in some of the country’s most high-profile and landmark cases resulting in impactful and precedential rulings. A mid-size firm with a diverse staff comprised of more than 50 percent women and minorities, Colson Hicks Eidson prides itself on a track record of developing future leaders within the legal profession and its civic and community involvement. Members of the firm have held notable positions serving on the boards of prominent institutions, such as the State University System of Florida and the Florida State Board of Education, and holding high-ranking offices, including President of the 60,000-member American Association for Justice; President of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers; President of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers; President of the Dade County Bar Association; President of the Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers; United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida; and Chairman of the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission.

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Dean is renowned as a top trial lawyer in the U.S. with 40 years of experience in complex civil litigation, personal injury, product liability, and professional malpractice. He has successfully represented large plaintiff classes and handled multimillion-dollar cases, including high-profile litigation such as the AeroPeru airplane crash and a Ponzi scheme settlement.

Dean has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service through various leadership roles. He has been actively involved with the Institute of Contemporary Art in Miami, supporting access to the arts. He’s also been president of the Orange Bowl Committee and chaired the Super Bowl XXIX Host Committee. He served on the Florida Commission on Ethics and chaired the Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. He previously served as President of the Dade County Bar Association and as a distinguished member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors. Most recently, the Coral Gables Community Foundation recognized Dean at its 2024 Annual Gala with the Education Award.

Click here to read the full guide.


About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

MIAMI (March 12, 2025) – Every day, the lawyers at Colson Hicks Eidson are privileged to deliver meaningful litigation results for our clients while working alongside some of the finest attorneys and people we know. We are honored that Lawdragon recognizes our dedication to our craft and are pleased to announce that all nine of our partners have been named in the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers guide.

Lawyers for this guide are selected through Lawdragon’s process of independent journalistic research and submissions. Their selection process emphasizes lawyers who have demonstrated consistent excellence and have made notable impacts in their fields.

Click here to read the full guide.

The Firm’s recognized attorneys are listed below.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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Stephanie was recognized for her representation of injured consumers and her skills in complex litigation, including recent successes in ERISA health insurance benefits cases. Acknowledged by Chambers USA as “an excellent lawyer,” she actively contributes to the legal community as a Board member and former President of the South Florida Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, reflecting her commitment to mentorship and leadership in the profession.

Julie was recognized for her representation of plaintiffs in high-stakes personal injury and complex class action cases, leveraging over three decades of experience. Her accomplishments include serving as lead and liaison counsel in significant multidistrict and consolidated national litigation and securing notable verdicts and settlements in products liability, medical malpractice and negligence cases. A strong advocate for the underrepresented, she has spearheaded efforts to safeguard electoral access and has held leadership roles in the American Association for Justice and the Miami-Dade Florida Association of Women Lawyers. Julie’s legal knowledge is further acknowledged by Lawdragon and Chambers USA, underscoring her significant impact on the profession and her commitment to advancing justice.

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To schedule a consultation, do not hesitate to contact an attorney at our law office. We have experience in a wide variety of cases for clients located throughout the nation and around the globe.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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Now in its 20th year, Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America recognized Colson Hicks Eidson attorneys Julie Braman Kane, Roberto Martínez, and Curtis Miner for their exceptional work in litigation, plaintiff class action litigation, and white-collar practice areas.

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Roberto has secured significant client wins in high-profile cases, including participating in settlements and judgments totaling in excess of $6 billion.

Click here to read the full guide on Lawdragon.

About Colson Hicks Eidson

Colson Hicks Eidson is a renowned law firm based in Miami, Florida, that is recognized as one of the top trial firms in the United States. Built on a foundation of over 50 years of dedication forging strong client relationships, Colson Hicks Eidson handles local, national, and international litigation, with cases spanning from Miami, Florida, and throughout the United States, to matters in the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Europe. Learn more at: www.colson.com.

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