Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, P.A. Announces Name Change

(Naples, Florida) January 30, 2023 – Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, P.A., a leading Naples, Florida business litigation and family law firm, announced that it has changed its name to Coleman, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé, Diaz & Torrez, P.A. Christyna Torrez, who focuses her practice in the area of commercial litigation and has worked as an attorney at the firm since 2007, has been added to the firm name. William Hazzard focuses on his mediation and arbitration practice.

“We pride ourselves on providing unparalleled attention to our clients and have a proud tradition to serving our community,” said Founding Member Michael Coleman. “Christyna truly embodies these values, which serve as the foundation of our firm, and we are honored to recognize her by adding her to name to the firm name.”

Christyna is “AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated” by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive for their professional ethics and legal ability by their peers and the judiciary. She was named a Top Lawyer in Business Litigation and Civil Litigation by Naples Illustrated Magazine, and recognized by Best Lawyers in America in the area of Commercial Litigation along with Founding Member Michael Coleman. She has represented countless businesses and individuals in a variety of matters including shareholder disputes, trust and estate litigation, employment litigation, real estate and property litigation, complex residential and commercial foreclosures, business torts, hospitality litigation, and general contract litigation. Christyna has significant experience in the courtroom in state court, Federal court, and appellate court, and also assists clients with negotiations to avoid and resolve litigation through settlement. She is the incoming President of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association and serves as a director for the Collier County Bar Foundation. Christyna is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

“I am humbled to be recognized by having my name added to the firm,” said Christyna Torrez. “It has been an honor to work with this group, and I look forward to continuing the hard work that we consistently perform for our clients. It is a privilege to work with such an outstanding team of colleagues including the invaluable mentorship that I’ve received from Michael Coleman, William Hazzard and Damian Taylor throughout my career, in addition to the many contributions from our hardworking associate attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff.”

Medical marijuana’s effect on workplace drug testing

Medical marijuana’s effect on workplace drug testing

BY BILL WASINGER,

SEPTEMBER 1, 2022,

https://www.gulfshorebusiness.com/medical-marijuanas-effect-on-workplace-drug-testing/

Torrez Appointed to CCWBA

Partner Christyna Torrez has been appointed to serve as Secretary of the Collier County Women’s Bar Association (“CCWBA”). Christyna became a director in 2016 and most recently served as treasurer. This year she will also serve as the Chair of the CCWBA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The CCWBA promotes, recognizes, and encourages the contributions of women within the legal profession and judiciary. A proud graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Florida, Christyna is AV-Rated by Martindale Hubbell and focuses her law practice on business and commercial litigation, shareholder disputes, and real estate litigation. In September 2021, she was named a Top Lawyer in Business Litigation and Commercial Litigation by Naples Illustrated magazine.

To learn more about Christyna Torrez, click below: https://lnkd.in/evuG3yf

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Robert Bernstein joins Young Lawyers Board

The Young Lawyers would like to congratulate Robert Bernstein, Courtney Darnell, and Christian Haman, who will be joining your board of directors for the 20/21 season. Mellissa Stubbs and Kimberly Swanson will support the board in a variety of ways.

We encourage all of you to do the same. Join us for virtual events now and live ones when we are able. The YL is innovative, fun, dedicated, and supportive. We are your voice in the CCBA. Get involved! We look forward to seeing everyone soon.

A message to our clients, colleagues and friends regarding COVID-19

The health and well-being of our clients, employees, colleagues and community is Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz’s top priority. Following federal, state and local recommendations, we have implemented procedures to reduce the likelihood of person-to-person transmission of the coronavirus. We have adopted social distancing measures and will be conducting all client interactions telephonically or by video conference until further notice. Please know that we are open for business and will continue to meet your legal needs. All means of contacting your legal team remain the same, whether by email or telephone. Please continue to communicate with our attorneys and staff by phone and email as you normally would. This information will be updated as new issues arise and if further precautions are mandated by the government.

We are committed to doing our part to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our community and appreciate your patience and understanding as we continue to adapt to this developing situation.

Thank you for your trust in our firm.

Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, P.A.

Sonia Diaz Appointed Chair of the Leadership Lunch Series Committee of the Leadership Collier Foundation

In her role, Sonia will provide leadership and support to the Committee and report to the Alumni Advisory Council. The Committee is responsible for planning, preparing, and implementing five Leadership Lunch Speaker events each calendar year for Leadership Collier Foundation Alumni and their guests. The speakers are selected by the Committee with topical issues and events of interest to Leadership Collier Alumni in areas such as Leadership, Economic Development, Government, Education, Healthcare and the Arts. The Committee has four fundamental concepts: education, stewardship, networking, and recreation. The next event will be on October 22, 2019 and will focus on a critically important issue to our community.

Dale Klaus, Michael Coleman, Damian Taylor, Sonia Diaz and Reuben Doupé Were Recognized as Top Lawyers 2019 by Naples Illustrated magazine.

Naples Illustrated partnered with the firm Professional Research Services and asked licensed Collier and Lee counties attorneys who they would recommend in the area. Nominees were then evaluated on the basis of survey results, status of their licenses, and their standing with The Florida Bar. Qualifying attorneys who received the highest number of votes were recognized.

See the Article

Damian Taylor and Reuben Doupé Recognized as Legal Elite 2019

Partners, Damian Taylor and Reuben Doupé were recognized as winners in Florida Trend magazine's prestigious Legal Elite 2019 list. Attorneys are nominated by their peers for exemplifying a standard of excellence in their professions. Lawyers were asked to name attorneys in a ballot whom they hold in the highest regard or would recommend to others. Less than 1.3 percent of the active Florida Bar members who practice in Florida were honored in the Legal Elite list, now in its sixteenth year.

Doupé Wins Several Awards

Reuben A. Doupé, family and marital law partner at Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, earned several awards at the Family Law Section Annual Awards Luncheon, held on June 26 at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. He received recognition for being Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Committee co-chair and received the Chair’s Award of Special Merit, Spotlight Award, and Legislative Award.

Doupé is one of only the three attorneys in Southwest Florida admitted to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Doupé, who recently received a SuperLawyers award, is board certified in Marital and Family Law by the Florida Bar, and on the executive council of the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar. Doupé is a member of the Collier County Bar Association, being a past-chair of the Family Law Section and past-president of the Young Lawyer Section.

Five Attorneys at Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA were Selected as Florida Super Lawyers

Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA, a Naples, Florida business litigation and family law firm announced that that four attorneys in the firm were recognized as Super Lawyers ® and one as Super Lawyer ® for the fifth straight year. Attorneys Damian Taylor, Dale Klaus, Sonia Diaz and Reuben Doupé were selected as Super Lawyers, while Michael Coleman was named Florida Super Lawyer ® for the fifth straight year.

Super Lawyers selects attorneys utilizing a vigorous patented multiphase selection process including nominations, independent research, peer evaluation and final selection. The goal is to create a list of outstanding attorneys, which can be used as a resource for other attorneys, businesses and consumers seeking legal counsel.

Doupé Appointed as Treasurer of the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Reuben Doupé, Marital and Family Law Partner at the firm, was appointed Treasurer for the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. The AAML was founded in 1962 "To provide leadership that promotes the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law." Reuben is one of only 1650 Fellows of the AAML in the 50 United States. To be represented by a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers is to be represented by a leading practitioner in the field of family law. Fellows are recognized by judges and attorneys as preeminent family law practitioners with a high level of knowledge, skill and integrity.

Doupé Admitted to the International Academy of Family Lawyers

Reuben Doupé, Marital and Family Law Partner at the firm, recently became accepted as a fellow in the renowned International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAFL). The IAFL is a worldwide association of practicing lawyers who are recognized by their peers as the most experienced and skilled family law specialists in their respective countries. IAFL was formed in 1986 as the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers to improve the practice of law and administration of justice in the area of divorce and family law throughout the world. Reuben is one of only a few attorneys in Southwest Florida admitted to the IAFL, and one of only three admitted to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and, an organization whose purpose is to promote the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in family law. Reuben focuses his practice on all Naples marital law, divorce law and family law matters.

Oquendo Recognized with Excellence in Advocacy Award

Sarah Martin Oquendo, an Associate in the Family Law practice, recently received the Excellence in Advocacy Award, by the Florida Guardian ad Litem Program, for her outstanding work representing children with certain special needs in the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Her impressive and dedicated work representing some of Florida’s most vulnerable dependent children under § 39.01305 was valued by not only the children she represents, but by her peers who recognized her for this award.

Taylor Speaks at Monthly Trial Law Luncheon

Damian Taylor, a Litigation Partner, spoke at the monthly Trial Law Luncheon organized by the Collier County Bar Association. Damian spoke on Hot Topics in Employment Law specifically, the Department of Labor’s (DOL’s) proposed rules on eligibility for overtime pay, the latest cases on non-compete agreements, and the legality of workplace rules under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA).

Doupé Presents at Annual Family Law Review Seminar

Reuben Doupé, Marital and Family Law Partner and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, lectured at the annual Family Law Review Seminar, at the Gaylord Palms in Orlando. He presented on Pst Judgment Modification of Support Awards.

The seminar is sponsored by the Family Law Section of the Florida Bar as well as the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. It is the second largest dedicated Family Law Seminar in the country, and had more than 1,600 participants this year. Participants include lawyers, paralegals, accountants and Judges and Magistrates, who attend annual to get up to date information on the latest rules, law and information concerning family law.

Torrez Recognized by Martindale-Hubbell®

Parter, Christyna Torrez, recently received her AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest rating an attorney can receive for their professional ethics and legal ability by their peers and the judiciary. Only an elite group of 10 percent of all attorneys worldwide holds an AV Preeminent Rating.

Super Lawyers Recognizes Our Partners

Congratulations to our Partners Michael Coleman, Damian Taylor and Dale Klaus for being recognized by Super Lawyers as the Top Lawyers in Florida and to our Partner, Reuben Doupé, for being selected as a top Rising Super Lawyer. Super Lawyers recognizes the top lawyers in Florida via a patented multiphase selection process involving peer nomination, independent research and peer evaluation.

Law Firm of the Year 2018

At the 10th Annual Barrister's Bash, our law firm was recognized as the Law Firm of the Year 2018 by Legal Aid for our continued support and commitment to Legal Aid and the Southwest Florida community.  

Doupé Lectures at Seminar

Reuben Doupé, a Partner and Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, conducts a lecture on Enforcement of Financial Litigation, at the annual Family Law Certification Review Seminar -- the second largest dedicated Family Law Seminar in the country with more than 1,600 participants. The Seminar took place at the Lowes Pacific Resort at Universal Studios.

We've Merged!

Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor & Diaz, PA mergers with Southwest Florida Family Law firm, Klaus Doupé, PA to become Coleman, Hazzard, Taylor, Klaus, Doupé & Diaz, PA.