Hospitality
Hospitality and Hotel Team
Our firm’s Hospitality and Hotel Defense practice is dedicated to providing top-tier legal representation to hotels, resorts, and other hospitality businesses facing a wide array of legal challenges. We understand the unique demands of the hospitality industry and offer specialized services tailored to protect our clients’ interests. The firm maintains an experienced group dedicating to representing owners, managers, developers, and investors in the hospitality industry.
Our experienced legal team handles everything from premises liability and personal injury claims to employment disputes, regulatory compliance, and contract negotiations. We are well-versed in the complexities of defending against claims related to guest safety, food and beverage services, ADA compliance, and more.
Whether in litigation, mediation, or advisory roles, we work closely with our clients to develop effective strategies that mitigate risks and safeguard their reputation. Our commitment is to deliver solutions that help hospitality businesses navigate legal challenges while focusing on delivering exceptional guest experiences. With a deep understanding of the industry’s nuances, our firm stands as a strong ally for hotels and hospitality providers, ensuring they operate smoothly and securely.
Our hospitality attorneys provide counseling to hospitality franchisors and franchisees in the structuring, implementation, and maintenance of national franchise and distribution systems.
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Hospitality Team
Belissa Ardisson is an Associate with the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Ardisson’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury, government liability, employment, and civil rights litigation.
Ms. Ardisson earned her J.D. from the University of Miami School of Law in May of 2021. While in Law School, Ms.Ardisson interned with the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Violence division where she assisted with research and drafting pre-trial motions. Ms. Ardisson also worked as a research assistant and served as a member of the University of Miami Race and Social Justice Law Review.
Upon graduating, Ms. Ardisson served as an Assistant State Attorney for the Miami Dade State Attorney’s Office. During her time at the State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Ardisson handled cases ranging from misdemeanors to first degree felonies, handling all pre trial motions up to trial. Additionally, Ms. Ardisson served as a County Training Attorney where she trained new incoming attorney’s on how to prepare and argue different evidentiary hearings, pre trial motions, and assisted them in trial. During her time at the State Attorney’s Office, Ms. Ardisson litigated countless jury trials to verdict.
Yina Cabrera is an Associate in the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Cabrera’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury, government liability, and civil rights litigation. Ms. Cabrera also handles employment litigation matters, including FLSA and FMLA violations, and Title VII violations including discrimination, retaliation, and sexual harassment.
Ms. Cabrera earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law in May 2021, graduating with honors. During law school, Ms. Cabrera interned at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and was a research assistant at FIU Law, responsible for researching topics in employment discrimination. Ms. Cabrera was on the Executive Board of the FIU Law Review, serving as the Executive Comments Editor; her Law Review student note was chosen for publication in the FIU Law Review. Ms. Cabrera was also a member of the FIU Board of Appellate Advocates and was a semifinalist in the Intramural Moot Court Competition. Ms. Cabrera was the President of the Cuban American Bar Association, Vice President of the Employment and Labor Law Society, and served as a Student Ambassador. Furthermore, Ms. Cabrera was a Dean’s Scholar and was awarded an Excellence in Civic Engagement Medallion for her pro-bono work.
Ms. Centrone was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She attended Columbia College on their Presidential and Leadership scholarships and was a member of the Honors Program, Student Advisory Committee, and Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society. Erin completed her undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida where she was a founding member of the Mock Trial Association and active in Pre-Law Society. Erin is a cum laude graduate of Stetson University College of Law where she earned numerous Honor Roll distinctions as well as four book awards.
Ms. Centrone is a seasoned civil litigator with experience defending clients through agency investigations as well as litigation in administrative, state, and federal courts in Florida. Her practice includes representation in diverse first- and third-party claims, including personal injury, premises liability, professional malpractice, D&O, bad faith actions, labor & employment matters, whistleblower, complex litigation, catastrophic claims, and SIU/fraud matters.
Ms. Centrone has been recognized as The Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch in each of its first three years, each year in three distinct areas of practice. She received the Ones to Watch designation for Labor and Employment, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Professional Malpractice for 2021, 2022, and 2023. Most recently, Ms. Centrone was named among The Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation – 2024.
Paola Garcia’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation, with a primary focus on general liability. Ms. Garcia’s General Liability experience includes premises liability, personal injury, property damage, professional liability, automobile and trucking accidents, wrongful death, cruise ship accidents, and negligent security cases. Ms. Garcia’s practice includes specific experience with a variety of lawsuits for one of the largest transportation network companies. Ms. Garcia regularly handles actions involving issues such as intentional torts, negligence, negligence security, premises liability, dram shop, products liability, and slip and fall.
Michael Goldman is a Partner at the firm’s New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania offices. His practice focuses in the area of employment law. Michael represents employers across a multitude of industries in litigation related to employment discrimination claims, wage and hour claims, and restrictive covenants. He also counsels clients on best practices.
Michael has extensive civil litigation experience and handles cases from inception through trial. He regularly appears in federal and state courts, as well as in administrative law and dispute resolution forums. Prior to joining the firm, Michael practiced as an associate at a prominent New Jersey firm, concentrating his practice in defense litigation on behalf of private and public entities, with an emphasis on tort liability, labor and employment law, and civil rights defense. He also represented clients in the areas of wage and hour claims, commercial litigation, construction law, and education law. Earlier in his career, Michael was an associate at a well-known litigation boutique where he focused his practice on representing public entities in matters involving tort liability, labor and employment law, and civil rights defense. Michael has been selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star list from 2019-2023.
Laura Gonzalez is an associate in the firm’s Miami Office. Ms. Gonzalez’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in personal injury, governmental liability, and labor and employment litigation.
Ms. Gonzalez earned her J.D. from Florida International University College of Law. While completing her legal studies, Ms. Gonzalez was a member of the FIU Board of Appellate Advocates and served on the board. Additionally, Ms. Gonzalez was President of School of the Cuban American Bar Association and served as a Student Ambassador.
Katie Gudaitis is an associate in the firm’s Miami office. Ms. Gudaitis’ practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus in commercial litigation, professional liability, labor and employment litigation, premises liability, and government liability.
Ms. Gudaitis’ Labor and Employment litigation experience includes representing private and public employers in all phases of employment litigation, from administrative hearings through trial on matters arising under Federal, State and local employment laws. Ms. Gudaitis regularly handles Federal and State actions involving issues of civil rights violations, sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, 1983 actions, wrongful death claims, Chapter 119 violations, sexual harassment, FLSA compliance, discrimination, retaliation, Title VII, whistleblower claims, fraud, and a battery of common law torts.
Brian is Litigation Partner in Lydecker’s San Diego office with more than twenty years of success providing legal analysis, strategy and endeavors to look at all options for purposes of protecting clients. Brian represents parties from incept to trial in proceeding, including alternative dispute resolution.
Brian balances attention to detail and management methodologies to maintain a ‘big picture’ focus while minimizing client /company exposure to risk. He develops working relationships with all counsel in all litigation matter to ensure organization, steer the litigation towards the best resolution, and leverages these relationships to control client expenses.
Brian maintains a strong courtroom presence and drives case strategies to achieve favorable outcomes for individual and corporate clients through the application of critical thinking and outside the box.
Mr. Murphy’s practice involves all aspects of federal and state civil trial litigation with a primary focus on product liability, premises liability, personal injury, and government liability. In his professional career, Brian has successfully represented corporate clients, private individuals, and government clients in all phases of litigation. His representation includes manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and major retailers in numerous areas within the field, such as mass and toxic tort litigation, product defect claims, as well as defending claims involving consumer and commercially available chemicals, substances, and materials.
Over the course of nearly 20 years, Mr. Murphy has represented a diverse range of clients, including large and small businesses in the biotech, chemical, communications, construction, education, entertainment, healthcare, hospitality, insurance, law enforcement, manufacturing, pest control, private post-secondary school, retail, and transportation industries.
Mr. Murphy also has extensive experience defending municipalities (defending government entities and their employees and school districts) and employers. He is admitted to practice in California.He is admitted to practice in all California district Courts, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, U.S. District Court, Southern District of California, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of California.
He earned his law degree from University of San Diego School of Law and his undergraduate degree from University of California, Riverside.
Mr. Norris’s practice primarily involves representing, defending, and counseling business owners regarding a diverse array of legal issues. Mr. Norris has had the privilege of successfully representing hotel operators and other hospitality businesses, medical practices, airlines, MROs, universities, banks, governmental entities, large institutional clients, and small businesses.
Mr. Norris has extensively litigated matters involving labor and employment law, commercial law, professional liability, hospitality law, premises liability, ADA accessibility, real estate, admiralty and maritime, wrongful death, and various types of negligence. Mr. Norris has defended private and public employers in all phases of litigation, from administrative hearings through trial on matters arising under Federal, State and local employment laws.
Mr. Norris also has extensive experience servicing business owners in the preparation and negotiation of contracts, including stock purchase and asset purchase agreements, ensuring compliance with laws, rules, and regulations, and providing guidance to mitigate risk and limit liability.
Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Norris served as in-house counsel for a successful Real Estate Investment Company that focused on acquiring and re-positioning distressed assets.
Lee Patten is the Co-Chair of the Firm’s National Catastrophic Injury and Loss Defense Department. Mr. Patten has extensive trial court experience in complex litigation, and has defended numerous cases involving wrongful death, paralysis, amputation, traumatic brain injury, sexual assault, and other serious injuries throughout New York, New Jersey, and Florida. These claims and large loss exposures arise from a variety of liability scenarios, including premises liability, medical/healthcare/nursing home liability, school/early education/day care liability, construction site accidents (including New York labor law claims), road construction accidents, commercial trucking and car accidents, negligent security, and products liability, among others. Mr. Patten brings to bear his extensive experience in each of these specific industries to obtain excellent results for his clients.
Mr. Patten maintains a progress-oriented practice, whether pre-suit or in litigation, Mr. Patten works closely with his client to advance the case with every court filing, correspondence, email, and phone conference. Every action is designed to move the case forward toward trial or resolution.
Mr. Patten has taken countless depositions, including deposition of subject matter experts, liability experts, and damages experts. He has attended countless hearings, including important summary judgment hearings, as well as multi-day arbitrations and multi-day framed issue evidentiary hearings.
Mr. Patten has tried cases before many trial courts throughout the state of Florida, New York, and New Jersey, and has obtained many favorable settlement outcomes at the eleventh hour due to detailed trial preparations, including motions in limine and Daubert challenges to opposing experts.
Mr. Patten has also served as monitoring counsel and converted to lead trial counsel in numerous cases involving large losses or multiple layers of insurance. He is successfully able to parachute into potential “problem” or “high risk” cases, and laser in on key areas to prepare liability and damages defenses quickly and efficiently.
Before joining the firm, Mr. Patten was a prosecutor at the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s office, as well as a prosecutor for the Department of Children and Families. It was there that Mr. Patten started his trial career and was able to transfer those skills to civil litigation. In Law School, Mr. Patten served as Editor-in-Chief of the Law Review and won several awards for both Mock Trial and Moot Court competitions.
Stephanie Pidermann (Woodard) is a shareholder in the firm’s Miami, Florida office. Ms. Pidermann concentrates her practice on commercial litigation matters, as well as, defending, significant labor & employment, personal injury, premises liability, and professional liability lawsuits. She represents major hotels, grocers and retailers, Fortune 500 companies, insurers, governmental entities, and transportation companies in state and federal courts throughout Florida and the United States.
Ms. Pidermann’s Labor and Employment litigation experience includes representing private and public employers in all phases of employment litigation, from administrative hearings through trial on matters arising under Federal, State and local employment laws. Ms. Pidermann regularly handles Federal and State actions involving issues of civil rights violations, False Claims Act litigation, sovereign immunity, qualified immunity, 1983 actions, wrongful death claims, sexual harassment, FLSA compliance, discrimination, retaliation, Title VII, whistleblower claims, fraud, and a battery of common law torts.
Ms. Pidermann also regularly represents Directors and Officers in actions involving violations of consumer protection laws, misrepresentation, fraud, malpractice, breaches of fiduciary duties, violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and generalized negligence. She has represented insurance brokers, accountants, brokers, real estate professionals, title agents, closing agents, appraisers, home inspectors, escrow agents, and health care professionals, including physicians, nurses, physician’s assistants, and mental health practitioners involved in a wide array of claims.
Ms. Pidermann has been consistently recognized as a Florida Super Lawyers “Rising Star” since 2014 and has been recognized as a Legal Elite lawyer by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite since 2014.
James Spratt is a partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office and practices in all courts in California. His primary areas of practice include complex commercial litigation, tort practice in products liability, real property and construction defect.
Mr. Spratt earned his Juris Doctor Certificate from University of La Verne and his Bachelor’s degree in History from University of California, Santa Barbara. While in law school, Mr. Spratt has held numerous legal internships, including Office of Legislative Affairs for the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. In Mr. Spratt’s practice, he has held various partner positions with national law firms and has worked for national insurance companies, as staff counsel. He has worked defending national insurance companies in professional negligence, commercial trucking negligence, premises liability and habitability claims.
Mr. Spratt has handled the defense of Property Owners, Landlords, Property Managers, and Homeowners Associations in claims arising out of California Habitability Claims pursuant to compliance with statutory duties under California Civil Code Section 1941.1 and California Health and Safety Code Section 17920.3. While the defense of these claims is often challenging in the pro-tenant environment of California law, Partner, James Spratt has displayed skill and expertise in navigating the display of substantial compliance with statutory duties in order to minimize exposure to risks. This is often achieved by a careful analysis of the jurisdictional building code and health & safety code records, in order to achieve favorable results in mediation of these claims. Additionally, Mr. Spratt has engaged some of the best experts in the fields of Property Management and Environmental Science to defend these claims, including Toxicologists, Microbiologists and Medical Doctors specializing in California Mycotoxin, Mold and Environmental Diseases.
Mr. Spratt is active in conservation efforts of Santa Monica Mountains Restoration Trust and enjoys snow skiing and swimming in his spare time. He also enjoys spending time with his family and his German Shepard dog. Mr. Spratt is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.
As a trial attorney for Lydecker’s Environmental Mass Tort, Product Liability Department and General Liability Department, Ronn has tried in excess of sixty (60) jury trials as lead trial counsel with an outstanding record of success.
Ronn had been practicing for less than four years when he tried his first jury trial which involved a collision between an automobile and a 12 year old cyclist with claims of traumatically induced epilepsy. Through a detailed cross-examination of the plaintiff, Ronn was able to prove that she had ridden her bicycle outside of the crosswalk in an attempt to beat the signal light. The jury returned a verdict of less than $14,000 after plaintiff’s counsel demanded $350,000.
Ronn was also retained by a major grocery store chain headquartered in Southern California to defend them and their truck driver whose tractor trailer rig collided with a cherry picker lift occupied by a worker who was replacing traffic signs. The worker fell almost 20 feet and suffered several facial and skull fractures. After a six and one half week trial, plaintiff’s counsel requested a verdict of $1,000,000. The jury returned a verdict for $1,000 less than the pre-trial offer made by Ronn’s client.
Ronn was admitted pro hac vice in the State of Arizona to defend a major supplier to the world’s larger fast food restaurant and successfully defended his client against claims of wrongful termination and racial discrimination.
While working in the City Attorney’s office of a major public entity, Ronn was re-assigned to an adverse liability major injury case six weeks prior to trial. Plaintiff alleged the defendant’s law enforcement vehicle ran a red light, violating his right of way. He suffered severe neck and back injuries with past surgeries to both his neck and back, with allegations of future back surgery being necessary. Plaintiff’s counsel demanded $15,000,000 after a four week jury trial. Although the jury found no negligence on the part of the plaintiff, they only awarded him slightly more than the defendant’s $1,000,000 pre-trial offer.
Most recently, Ronn obtained a 12-0 defense jury verdict in a breach of warranty of habitability case.
