Curtis (Curt) Miner brings nearly three decades of experience in civil and criminal litigation and dispute resolution to his practice. He prides himself on having tried dozens of cases before juries and judges in a wide array of matters in state and federal courts. His extraordinarily diverse practice has included everything from defending companies and individuals in sensitive government investigations to advising businesses in high-stakes litigation to representing individuals and families who have suffered tragic losses. Mr. Miner’s clients have included entrepreneurs and businesses, both large and small, and individuals from all walks of life around the world – ranging from ordinary citizens to executives to political figures and celebrities. He is an exceptional litigator who believes that the variety of issue areas in his broad practice keeps him both sharp as a problem-solver and fit as a courtroom advocate. Clients often come to Mr. Miner when they need Big Law quality and commitment, but want the attention, agility, and flexibility of an attorney at a boutique firm.

He has been appointed by both federal and state courts to important lead and liaison counsel positions in high-profile cases. Mr. Miner currently serves as Lead Counsel for the Personal Injury Track in the In re Takata Airbags Product Liability Multidistrict Litigation in the Southern District of Florida, and recently served as Liaison Counsel for the Wrongful Death Class in the tragic In re Champlain Towers South Collapse Litigation in Miami, Florida. He has served as Class Counsel in consumer protection class action and financial fraud class action lawsuits. Mr. Miner has also been honored to be appointed by federal courts to serve as a court-appointed Receiver in federal-agency enforcement actions. 

In addition, Mr. Miner has earned widespread recognition for his professionalism and teamwork, as well as his courtroom advocacy. He was inducted as a Fellow into the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers in 2018 and into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers in 2016. 

The well-regarded Chambers USA Guide has described him as “a  terrific attorney, particularly as a trial lawyer,” and one appreciative client reported that he “is ‘a fabulous lawyer – easy to work with and a very creative guy.” While it is always nice to be recognized, he takes most pride in a job well done and a client well served, regardless of the size of the case. 

Before joining the Colson Hicks Eidson team, Mr. Miner spent five years in the trenches as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Florida, where he handled major crimes, national security, and public corruption cases. Notably, he was involved in prosecuting one of the largest police corruption scandals in the history of the City of Miami, spending months in trial and earning recognition as one of the top young federal prosecutors in the country by The American Lawyer magazine. Before his tenure as a federal prosecutor, Mr. Miner worked as a civil litigator for well-known boutique law firms in New York City and remains an active member of the New York Bar.

His educational background includes graduating summa cum laude from Yale University and obtaining his law degree with honors from Harvard Law School, where he was selected as an editor for the prestigious Harvard Law Review. Following law school, he had the honor of clerking for Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.  

Some Notable Case Results

• Part of the team of court-appointed leadership counsel in the Takata Airbags Products Liability Litigation MDL which, to date, has obtained settlements in excess of $1.5 billion on behalf of classes of millions of vehicle owners.
  
  
• Part of the team of court-appointed leadership counsel in the Champlain Towers South Condominium Collapse Litigation in Florida Circuit Court, which resulted in $1.2 billion in settlements for families and victims.
  
  
• Representation of media company in dispute with joint venture partner leading to $325 million cash payment in business resolution with client.
  
  
• $120 million in recoveries in the Mutual Benefits Corporation Receivership for more than 30,000 defrauded investors worldwide (serving as Lead Counsel to the court-appointed Receiver in the then largest SEC enforcement action ever in South Florida).
  
  
• $100 million-plus in settlements on behalf of individual personal injury and wrongful death victims in a wide variety of matters, ranging from product liability cases to international and domestic aviation accidents.
  
  
• $26.6 million class action settlement for investors against national bank arising out of MJ Capital Receivership (serving as Co-Lead Class Counsel).
  
  
• $15.9 million class action settlement for Employee Stock Ownership Plan participants on breach of fiduciary duty and ERISA claims against U.S. Sugar Corporation.
  
  
• $10.5 million jury verdict in first wrongful death case to proceed to trial in the United States against Tesla (serving as lead trial counsel).
  
  
• $1 million jury verdict for celebrity restaurateur against competitor for unfair competition.
  
  
• Win at trial on behalf of a prominent physician in the defense of an insider trading action brought by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
  
  
• Win at bench trial on breach of commercial lease claims on behalf of a prominent national law firm.
  
  
• Win at bench trial on commercial contract-related claims on behalf of a major hair care product company.