Claims against governmental entities are oftentimes difficult to prove and are always vigorously defended by experienced trial lawyers. Moreover, most public entity claims have pre-suit notice requirements and short statute of limitations. Whether you have been involved in an accident with a MUNI bus or been the victim of excessive force at the hands of a law enforcement officer, you need legal counsel that has experience handling public sector litigation.

Technical Expertise and Trial Experience Make a Difference

The lawyers at Willoughby Doyle have extensive experience litigating claims involving governmental entities. The Firm focuses on representing individuals in claims against governmental entities and actors. One of our partners acted as lead trial counsel for an 1100 member law enforcement agency where he handled civil rights, auto accident, and employment matters. In the past, our lawyers have represented municipalities, counties, elected government officials, prosecutors, the State of Florida, the Florida Department of Corrections, the State of Florida Board of Regents, and numerous County Sheriffs. Our lawyers have successfully tried multiple cases to jury verdict in both state and federal courts on behalf of and against governmental entities and actors.

Willoughby Doyle utilizes its extensive experience representing government actors to pinpoint weaknesses in their defenses and achieve superior results for firm clients. The Firm represents individuals against governmental entities and actors in the following types of matters:

• MUNI bus accidents/slip and falls
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Sidewalk slip and falls
• Police Misconduct: Excessive Force and False Arrest
• Malicious Prosecution
• Defamation
• First Amendment
• Jail Medical Neglect
• All Constitutional Law Claims

A Proven Track Record of Success

The Firm’s lawyers have a demonstrated track record of achieving outstanding results on behalf of their clients, while representing both individual plaintiffs and defending high profile claims against governmental entities.

In 1998, Robert Stoler and Conal Doyle obtained an $896,000 jury verdict in a federal lawsuit against a correctional officer who battered their mentally challenged client in County jail in 1998. At the time, the verdict was reported to be one of the largest ever against a Polk County, Florida correctional officer. The verdict was affirmed on appeal by the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. After the insurance company denied coverage, a declaratory relief action was filed against the insurer to establish coverage. The plaintiff won the action and the insurance company paid the full amount of the judgment. The result of this case was reported in local newspapers and television.

In total, the Firm’s lawyers have handled well over a hundred governmental liability claims and have tried civil rights cases to jury verdict involving various issues of police and/or security misconduct. Conal Doyle has been recognized as an expert on civil rights litigation and has lectured extensively on issues related to civil rights and government misconduct liability. He has lectured at the FBI NAA National Convention, at law schools, and at Continuing Education Seminars on various issues related to civil rights litigation. Mr. Doyle’s article on "Evaluating the Jail Medical Neglect Case" has recently been pubished in The Forum, a monthly publication of the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC).