Overview

John Goldsmith joined the firm in May 1986 and has been a Shareholder since 1991. He practices complex litigation including constitutional torts (civil rights such as 1981 and 1983 claims), employment discrimination and related claims, antitrust, intellectual property, products liability, class actions, health care, and Multi District Litigation (MDL). He tried to verdict multiple constitutional tort, discrimination, anti-competition, intellectual property, contract and tort claims.  John has represented Fortune 100 companies, mid-size companies, small start-ups, individuals, cities, school boards, universities, and other governmental entities. He represents a wide variety of participants in the health care industry, including insurers, physicians, medical product and drug manufacturers, bond holders, and medical practices in a wide range of litigation, administrative proceedings and bankruptcy. He has also been involved in defending class actions in MDL litigation. John has had considerable success in managing MDL defense litigation and opposing class certification, including arguing for the application of the federal Class Action Fairness Act (CAFA) and various immunities available to defendants in certain industries.

Representative Matters

• In Re: Recomm, represented nationwide manufacturer in MDL in Tampa in hundreds of lawsuits and by law enforcement agencies, in over 40 states. Negotiated, and obtained approval of, reorganization plan which resolved over 21,000 product claims (1995-1998).
• Lebeau v. University of South Florida, defended medical school in civil rights, employment discrimination and breach of contract claims. Defense verdict on all claims.
• Maynard v. University of South Florida, defended medical school in civil rights, employment discrimination and breach of contract claims.  Defense verdict on all claims and prevailed on a counterclaim.
• Dillon v. Graf, et al., lead defense counsel in MDL pending in Nevada against over 600 insurance agencies for selling over a billion dollars of insurance written on an insurance company with fraudulent financials, resulting in over $90 million in unpaid medical claims (2002-2006).
• Shahawy v. Sarasota Memorial Hospital, et al, defended civil rights and related claims against Hospital Board members. Directed verdict for the Board members on all claims.
• Andro Class Action Litigation, lead counsel litigating a series of statewide and nationwide class actions in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York based on the asserted illegal sale of “andro” products (2002-2011).
• Wilmington Savings v. LMF and BLG, successfully defended large class action in Tampa federal court (2015-17).
• Kamra v. LMF and BLG, defended large class action in Tampa federal and state court (2016-17).
• Festiva Orlando Resort HOA - v. Reeves. negotiated large class action settlement in Orlando federal court brought on behalf of several thousand time share owners (2013-16).
• Tried more than 35 cases to a jury verdict in state and federal court in product liability, personal injury, commercial litigation, and civil rights.

Honors and Distinctions

• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Florida Super Lawyers, 2011-2019
• Florida Trend Legal Elite 2010-2012
• Tampa Magazine's Top Lawyers List, 2020

Community Involvement

• Church Attorney, Episcopal Diocese, 2009-present
• Religious Community Service Board of Directors, 2008-present
• LifePath Hospice, Board of Directors, 1994-2000
• Florida Board of Regents, Member, 1979-1980

News

• Trenam Law Attorneys Recognized as Top Lawyers 2020 by Tampa Magazine
• Forty-Nine Attorneys Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers 2019
• Forty Seven Trenam Attorneys Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers 2018
• Trenam Cybersecurity Update: All 50 States Now Have Data Breach Laws
• John Goldsmith Discusses Retailer Liability for Chip Credit Card Fraud in Retail Merchandiser
• John Goldsmith Discusses Credit Card Chip Theft on Tampa’s WFLA Channel 8 News
• Forty-Five Trenam Attorneys Recognized in Florida Super Lawyers 2017
• Trenam Law Launches Cybersecurity Practice in Response to Rising Cyber Threat for Middle Market Businesses
• Forty Two Trenam Lawyers Named to the 2016 Florida Super Lawyers and 2016 Florida Rising Stars Lists
• Forty-Five Trenam Lawyers Named Florida Super Lawyers and Florida Rising Stars

Thought Leadership

John has written extensively, and presented seminars, on complex litigation, MDLs, class actions, and business damages.  Recent engagement includes:

• “Causation: The Often Overlooked/Missing Link in Determining Damages," Panelist, ABA Section of Ligitation Solo and Small Firm Committee, April 2020.