Judith M. Mercier concentrates in complex civil litigation as a trial lawyer and appellate advocate. Her practice encompasses a broad range of substantive areas with specific areas of focus including contract disputes, business torts, entertainment law, ERISA litigation, intellectual property and media law. She has significant experience with large, complex cases requiring litigation management and logistic skills. Additionally, as national counsel for clients, she manages a team of attorneys handling numerous cases filed in state and federal courts throughout the United States.
Ms. Mercier has represented clients in jury and nonjury trials, appeals and arbitrations. She is a former CPA who also serves as a court-appointed equity receiver over seven corporations in an action in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida.
Some of Ms. Mercier's litigation engagements include:
- Obtained summary judgment against claims for breach of civil rights, negligence, false arrest and battery for national hotel company
- Argued and defeated an appeal after trial in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Defeated breach of contract claim in federal court bench trial
- Obtained dismissal of claims for benefits under ERISA
- Obtained dismissal of defamation action against news agency
- Defeated subpoenas to reporters under Florida's reporters' privilege statute
- Obtained access to judicial records for media entities in state and federal courts in both criminal and civil actions
- Obtained dismissal of criminal action against news reporter and defeated the appeal
- Enforced forum selection clauses and obtained dismissals of actions against internet companies in courts throughout Florida
- Obtained dismissals of consumer class action against internet company
- Defeated fraud claim after two-week arbitration hearing
- Obtained summary judgment against claims for violations of Florida's wiretap statute for client
- Obtained summary judgment against claims of negligence for pharmaceutical company
- Prosecuted trademark claim in federal court bench trial
Ms. Mercier is a member of the firm's National Media Team and served as the team leader for the ERISA Litigation Team. She also served for three years as the national chair of the Holland & Knight Women’s Initiative. Ms. Mercier served as a member of the firm's Diversity Council and is a graduate of the Rising Stars program, an intensive year-long leadership program sponsored by the Women's Initiative.