"Ira Leesfield"

Published on: July 21, 2025

Who Is a Trial Lawyer? All Rise! (No Fries!)

There is a healthy inter-generational discussion about the value of courtroom appearances versus digital and remote Zoom litigation. Depending upon age, law school demographics, “quality of life issues” and a long-vested belief and admiration for adversary experience before the court and jury, legitimately different perspectives are advanced. Two seemingly unrelated recent anecdotes capture the essence of the trial lawyers’ dilemma:

Ira Leesfield, the Founder and Managing Partner of Leesfield & Partners.

The bailiff of a well-respected member of the judiciary had to admonish “trial lawyers” in open court for failing to rise when the judge entered the bench. This ancient custom of respect and judicial protocol was unknown to these inexperienced lawyers about to commence trial. Reports of this omission caught the attention of jurists and experienced advocates across the state. In a completely different setting, a well-established and recognized national restaurant refused to allow “take-out” French fries with the food order placed by a customer. At the desk, the manager publicly expressed “our fries just don’t travel well, and we want customers to be satisfied and accepting of our food.” No matter what the plea, no fries “to go.” If you wanted to enjoy a great dinner of ribs, coleslaw and fries, it was going to be in the dining room. This is an interesting way to capture the disparity of conflict for an earnest, developing trial lawyer!

Published on: July 10, 2025

Father, Former Army Captain Transported to Miami Hospital After Hit-And-Run Boating Incident in the Bahamas. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

The wife of a former Army captain at the center of a hit-and-run boating incident spoke out to media this week saying her husband is “lucky that he’s alive” after he was hit while snorkeling in the Bahamas.

The incident happened on June 30 while the family vacationed in Exuma. Brent Slough, 42, of Prosper, Texas, was in the water snorkeling when he was sliced by the propellers of a boat that “never stopped,” his wife, Whitney Slough told reporters. Her husband, she said, was hit underneath the buttocks and the legs.

The boat that hit him never stopped.

Published on: July 10, 2025

Hialeah Woman Airlifted to Hospital After Dog Attack Tuesday. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A woman was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital Tuesday with non-life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a dog.

The woman, according to reporting from WSVN Miami, was a caretaker at the home where the attack took place around 11 a.m. in Hialeah. She was bitten on both of her arms.

Following the attack, the dog was detained in a cage awaiting officials with animal control after its owner surrendered it into the custody of Miami-Dade Animal Services. In footage broadcasted by WSVN, it looked as though the dog was an American bulldog. A similar dog, allegedly of the same breed, was seen lounging in a kennel in the home’s backyard.

Published on: July 10, 2025

Two Dead in Head-On Collision in Pompano Beach Monday. How many crashes has Florida had in 2025?

By Leesfield & Partners

At least two people have died after a head-on crash on Florida’s Turnpike in Pompano Beach Monday morning, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

The crash happened around 12:50 a.m. near Atlantic Boulevard and involved a 2004 Acura TL sedan and a 2019 Mercedes A220 sedan, officials with Florida Highway Patrol told the newspaper. The Acura was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of the turnpike when it collided with the Mercedes

After the collision, the Acura hit a concrete barrier and burst into flames.

Published on: July 7, 2025

Two Injured in Fourth of July Boat Crash in Flagler County. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least two people were injured after a pontoon boat crashed into a wooden dock on the Intracoastal Waterway near Beverly Beach in Flagler County on the Fourth of July.

Emergency responders were called around 5:18 p.m. and rescued both people from the water, according to reporting from local media. At least one person had life-threatening injuries and was taken to a hospital in Daytona Beach. The second person was in “stable condition” and was taken to AdventHealth Palm Coast.

The boat was severely damaged in the crash as were parts of the wooden dock.

Published on: July 7, 2025

Five People Aboard Boat Need Rescue off Key Biscayne. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

At least five people were rescued from a boat that caught fire Sunday morning off Key Biscayne, U.S. Coast Guard Officials said via social media.

The incident happened at 10 a.m. about eight miles off Key Biscayne. A passing Good Samaritan rescued the five people who were on board after the boat’s operator used a radio to report the fire. All five people involved were brought to shore.

No injuries were reported in this incident.

Published on: July 7, 2025

Minor Drowns in Backyard Pool of Miami-Dade County Home. What to Know.

By Leesfield & Partners

A family in Miami-Dade’s El Portal neighborhood is living every parent’s worst nightmare after their 4-year-old was found floating in a backyard pool Friday morning, according to reporting from The Miami Herald.

Emergency responders were called out around 3:40 a.m. to the home near the 100 block of Northwest 90^th Street. The girl was transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital where she died.

The person who reported the incident saw the child in the pool — which allegedly had no safety fence around it — but was unable to help her, according to reporting from CBS News Miami.

Published on: June 27, 2025

Generators Can Save You During a Hurricane — Unless You Make This One Mistake

By Leesfield & Partners

With the 2025 hurricane season nearing its first full month, safety experts are urging Floridians to avoid a dangerous but all-too-common generator error.

As hurricane season continues, families all across the Sunshine State will prepare their homes and/or essential electricity devices — such as phone chargers, medical equipment and refrigerators — to be powered by generators in case of any power outages. Generators burn fuels like propane, diesel or gasoline in order to produce electricity. Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of that combustion process and, if not properly ventilated, then that can make for some pretty dangerous circumstances for unwitting residents.

Dangers of Carbon Monoxide

Published on: June 27, 2025

Movie Theater’s Armed Guard Sentenced in Florida Minor’s Rape, authorities say

By Leesfield & Partners

A Florida movie theater’s armed guard was recently sentenced to 15 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a girl, 15.

Augusta Williams, 34, was convicted of lewd or lascivious battery on a child aged 12 to 16, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fifth Judicial Circuit announced Monday.

The incident happened on Jan. 14, 2023, when the teen was at the movies in Ocala with a group of friends, according to reporting from The Miami Herald. The teen’s friends were picked up by a grandparent who refused to take the minor home. The teen could not reach a parent and Williams, an armed security guard at the theater, allegedly offered to watch over the minor.

Published on: June 25, 2025

Minor on ATV Runs Stop Sign, Killing 6-year-old, police say. How Ira Leesfield has Warned Against ATVs for Decades.

By Leesfield & Partners

A 12-year-old maneuvering an all-terrain vehicle ran a stop sign, causing a deadly crash with a car in Louisiana, police say.

Emergency responders were called regarding the crash around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to reporting from The Miami Herald. The minor who was driving was accompanied by three passengers — ages 10, 6, and 4 — at the time of the incident. None of the children were wearing seatbelts, police said.

The 12-year-old allegedly ran a stop sign and collided with a car.