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Richard Vargas, Esq.

Richard Alan Vargas, Esq. is an attorney located in the firm’s Miami office. Richard is a trial lawyer with extensive experience practicing in various areas of civil litigation including premises liability, negligent security, hospitality services, liquor liability and dram-shop, construction defect, contractual disputes, consumer litigation and first-party insurance coverage. Richard has litigated numerous lawsuits, from inception through trial, on behalf of recreation centers, restaurants, fast-food establishments, automobile dealerships, hotels, condominium associations, shopping centers and retail operators across Florida. Richard focuses on representing his clients with the utmost professionalism, while providing honest evaluation and zealous counsel.

Richard earned his Juris Doctorate from The George Washington University and obtained his Bachelor’s degree, with honors, from the University of Florida. He is admitted to practice in the State of Florida and United States District Court, Southern District of Florida. Born and raised in South Florida, Richard currently resides in Miami with his wife and three children. Richard enjoys spending time with his family, cooking, traveling, and volunteering at his church.

Representative Experience

  • Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a supermarket operator in a premises liability action in Miami-Dade County;
  • Coordinated and participated in several large scale settlement conferences on behalf of a nationwide insurance carrier involving numerous property claims worth over $1M dollars;
  • Successfully defended a security company and security guard at trial involving defamation, wrongful prosecution and negligence for a claim in excess of $4M dollars in Miami-Dade County;
  • Defended a home-owner relative to a negligence claim resulting in a defense verdict in Palm Beach County;
  • Participated in two arbitrations representing car dealerships pursuing reinstatement as franchisees in Miami-Dade and Broward County;
  • Represented a bowling recreation center at trial in a catastrophic injury premises liability claim in Broward County;
  • Successfully litigated and mediated numerous premises liability and negligent security claims on behalf of corporate clients across Florida.

Phone Number: 786-866-8122
E-Mail: rvargas@pdplawyers.com


















































							

														

						

					


					
					

						

														

								
								
								
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REAL ESTATE & TRANSACTIONAL

							

								

	

		

			
From its inception, the firm’s core practice area has been representing clients’ in all aspects of transactional and real estate related matters. For close to 25 years, the firm has provided general business and management representation to individuals, corporations, partnerships and local governmental agencies. We have assisted clients with various business and corporate needs and have provided comprehensive assessments and strategic plans in mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures in all economic climates. The firm also serves as an agent for Fidelity Title Insurance Company and Attorneys Title Insurance Fund.


 


Commercial Real Estate Transactions – Our Commercial Real Estate Transactions Practice area includes representation of South Florida institutional lenders and private clients in their acquisition and disposition of commercial real estate in Miami and throughout the State of Florida.  Our Firm has represented clients in the purchase and sale of various commercial real estate assets including: vacant land, industrial parks, mixed-use projects, office buildings, shopping centers, strip malls, commercial condominiums, and apartment buildings.  We have experience in properly structuring and documenting the commercial real estate transaction. We understand the risks involved and how to avoid common pitfalls. Creative deal-making can make the difference as to how quickly a Commercial Real Estate Transaction can close, and can also be the breaking point in the transaction making financial sense for our clients. While, properly structuring and documenting is the cornerstone of a smooth transaction, the evaluation of a property for use and/or development is just as vital. We advise clients when it is prudent to obtain environmental reports and asbestos surveys, zoning confirmation letters, physical inspections for structural soundness (including roof and termite inspections and, if applicable, 40-year recertification inspections), and financial information (including lease agreements, rent rolls, and profit and loss statements).  Closing a Commercial Real Estate Transaction is no small feat, and is the most demanding of tasks. However, our Firm takes pride in our ability to close commercial real estate transactions in a timely and cost-effective manner.  Areas of Counsel and Service to our Commercial Real Estate Transaction clients: Land Development; Condominiums; Apartment Buildings; Industrial and Retail Offices; Shopping Centers and Undeveloped Land.


 


Residential Real Estate Transactions – Buying a home in Miami can sometimes be over-whelming. At Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, P.A., our attorneys will be with you every step of the way. We offer comprehensive representation to our clients, because we understand that buying a home is often the single-largest investment an individual will make in their lifetime. Most purchasers are not familiar with the real estate industry. Our firm provides our clients with a checklist of items tailored to their particular transaction. Answering questions like: “What is a loan commitment?” “What is title Insurance?” and “Do I need a survey?” are all frequently asked questions our legal professions are ready and able to answer.  Refinance transactions are on the rise, as homeowners are taking advantage of historically low interest rates. Our residential real estate attorneys sit down with our clients and explain to them if refinancing their home is right for them. They discuss the essentials with the client, so they can make an informed decision. Understanding the closing costs involved; the “breakeven” point; and the loan’s APR are just some of the topics that we advise our clients on and ensure they are aware of.  Whether you are purchasing a home or refinancing, our job is to ensure that you are protected. Our experienced residential real estate attorneys are involved from contract to closing. It is our pledge that our clients understand everything before you close.  Areas of Counsel and Service to our Residential Real Estate Transaction clients: Purchase and Sale Agreements; Closing and Escrow Services; Contract Negotiation


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

														

								
								
								
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RISK MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY

							

								

	

		

			
Our firm provides a full range of services for insured companies interested in maximizing their opportunities to reduce risk and associated costs. This may include the analysis and oversight of insurance programs utilized by companies to determine structure, risk appetite and innovative options. As our clients have grown, we’ve provided assistance with options for structure to best protect their balance sheet. Our capabilities include periodic reviews of safety programs and organizational culture to best protect assets.


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

															
																	
														

								
								
								
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Donald Guthrie, Esq.

							

								

	

		

			
Donald Guthrie, Esq. was born in Atlanta, Georgia and grew up in Florida’s panhandle and joined Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, P.A., in 2018.  A former US Army Infantry Officer, Don served with distinction as a Platoon Leader and Executive Officer in the prestigious US Army Berlin Brigade during the peak of the Cold War, and as a Company Commander and Battalion Staff Officer with the elite 101st Airborne Division. After an early medical discharge from the Army, Don returned to his home state and earned his law degree from the University of Florida.


He brings considerable legal experience to his current position combining the courtroom skill he gained through working as an Assistant Public Defender in Duval County and knowledge by working in a larger personal injury law firm.  Additionally, Don has served as a volunteer mediator in the State Attorney’s Fourth Judicial Circuit Diversionary Program, designed to render speedy justice without involvement in the traditional court system.  He is affiliated with numerous professional legal associations and trial groups, including the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, and Jacksonville Defense Lawyers Association.


As an active member of the community, Don is also a founding member of the Jacksonville National Cemetery Advisory Committee, an organization that was instrumental in the efforts to establish a National Veterans Cemetery for North Florida to serve our Veterans and their families’ needs well into the next century.  Don is a member of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans Chapters and participates in their community service activities.  Don also volunteers with the Community Hospice of Northeast Florida with emphasis on their outreach program, designed to educate veterans on Hospice’s comprehensive program focused on end-of-life care needs that are unique to military veterans and their families.  Additionally, he is an attorney volunteer with The Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program based out of Washington, D.C., an organization that provides legal representation to veterans at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.


Mr. Guthrie was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1997 and practices in the areas of insurance defense litigation, with particular emphasis on personal injury; premises liability; construction and design defects; automobile liability; products liability; and negligent security. He has been trained in pre-suit accident investigation and full file responsibility from inception through trial. He joined the firm in order to help serve its expanding client base in all practice areas while providing professional service and achieving positive results.  Mr. Guthrie is also admitted to practice in the Federal Bar for the Middle District of Florida.




		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

															
																	
														

								
								
								
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Adam Tannen, Esq.

							

								

	

		

			
Adam Tannen, Esq. is an Associate in the firm’s Miami office and focused his practice general civil and commercial litigation with an emphasis on insurance related claims. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Central Florida and Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University where he was a recurring member of the Dean’s List.


Prior to joining Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, Mr. Tannen practiced insurance defense for an AM Law 200 firm in personal injury matters, including premises liability, general liability, personal injury protection and class actions. Additionally, Mr. Tannen has extensive experience representing distressed condominium associations and helped prompt House Bill 1237, specifically, criminal penalties for theft or embezzlement of funds of an association.


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

														

								
								
								
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RIDESHARE CLAIMS & LITIGATION

							

								

	

		

			
Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, P.A., is one of the leading firms in Florida representing rideshare partner drivers in liability claims and rideshare carriers in the defense of uninsured/underinsured motorist claims throughout the State. We have experience handling high volume litigation, including the analysis of multiple party claims and their priority in settling competing claims, whether through direct negotiation or with the use of a facilitator.


Our experience in litigating rideshare cases requires direct interaction with the rideshare companies and their litigation teams, which has allowed us to gain an understanding for the rideshare culture from the corporate perspective. We are also familiar with the rideshare company protocols and preferences regarding partner driver counsel’s role in the litigation based upon the exposure in the case.


Rideshare insurance carriers will benefit from our experience in handling the defense of uninsured/underinsured motorist claims wherein the insured is a rideshare company due to the sensitive relationship with the insured in making sure that the interest of all parties are protected, whether pre-suit or in litigation. Our Firm also assists the insurance carriers with the analysis and response of any Civil Remedy Notice that is filed as it pertains to a claim. We work closely with the handling claims professional to accurately understand the events leading to the filing of the Civil Remedy Notice in order to ensure that a proper response is filed with the State and is documented accordingly.


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

														

								
								
								
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MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

							

								

	

		

			
The attorneys at Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, have represented hospitals, surgical centers, outpatient facilities, chiropractors, osteopaths, nurse midwives, physician assistants, advanced registered nurse practitioners, physical therapists, massage therapists, podiatrists, dentists, opticians, optometrists, mental health counselors, psychologists and medical physicians in various specialties in a wide range of medical malpractice claims in Florida that include catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, amputations, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and surgical and nursing issues.


Our experience includes defending these claims through all phases, from presuit to litigation and when required, through trial.  Our aggressive representation of these matters includes our team of experienced attorneys consulting with top medical experts from the across the country to assist in the early evaluation and investigation of the claims and to testify on behalf of our clients when needed.  The attorneys at Pozo-Diaz & Pozo defend medical malpractice claims to prevail and also to assist in maintaining the healthcare provider’s standing within the community.


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

															
																	
														

								
								
								
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Orlando Valle, Esq.

							

								

	

		

			
ORLANDO VALLE was born in San Leandro, California.  He procured his Bachelor of Science degree from California State University-Stanislaus in Business Administration-Finance.  Thereafter, he earned his Juris Doctorate degree from The Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 2001.  After procuring his law degree, he then attended the University of Miami LL.M. program in Inter-American Law.


After completing his academic career, Mr. Valle began his career as a litigation attorney in 2002.  Since that time, he had devoted the bulk of his practice to defending individuals and businesses throughout the State of Florida in multiple types of cases in both federal and state cases.  Consequently, he has been an active member in multiple organizations such as The Florida Defense Lawyers Association (“FDLA”) and  The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (“CLM”).  In addition, Mr. Valle has lectured claims personnel and company officers and counsel regarding matters related to his practice and those affecting their respective businesses.


In his years of experience, Mr. Valle has represented clients in matters involving the following (i.e. “areas of practice”):


Premises Liability
Construction Defect claims
Professional Negligence, including Medical Malpractice, Accountant Malpractice, Legal Malpractice and Design Professional Malpractice
Bad Faith
Automobile Negligence
Contract Disputes
Insurance Coverage
Third Party Property Claims
Crop/Agricultural Insurance Disputes


He is admitted to practice in Florida state courts and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida.


Phone Number: 786-866-8138
E-Mail: ovalle@pdplawyers.com


		

	







							

														

						

					


					
					

						

															
																	
														

								
								
								
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Larry S. Kraslow, Esq.

							

								

	

		

			
Larry S. Kraslow joined PDP in 2017 and is the managing attorney for our Panama City Beach, FL office. Mr. Kraslow has over 30 years of legal experience in varying areas of law, including insurance defense litigation, tort, automobile liability, negligent security, commercial litigation, and premises liability.


Mr. Kraslow earned his undergraduate degree in Marketing from Hofstra University. He went on to earn his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Miami in 1986. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Kraslow worked in law enforcement, giving him additional insight into legal issues concerning negligent security, premises liability and automobile liability matters.


Mr. Kraslow is admitted to practice law in Florida, New York and the District of Columbia.


Phone: 786-866-8132


E-Mail: lkraslow@pdplawyers.com


		

	



							

														

						

					


					
					

						

															
																	
														

								
								
								
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Eric D. Diamond, Esq.

							

								

	

		

			
ERIC D. DIAMOND joined Pozo-Diaz & Pozo, P.A., in 2017. He began his legal career in 2000 and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2002. Mr. Diamond maintains an active civil trial practice handling legal matters involving medical malpractice, personal injury and general liability.


As a native of Quincy, Massachusetts, Mr. Diamond received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Miami in 1999 and continued his studies to earn a Juris Doctor, graduating cum laude in 2002. He is an active member in The Florida Bar and Dade County Bar Association.