02/23/2026
Libbie Reese, Esquire of Alvarez Thompson & Smoak, P.A. and Renee Bowen, Esquire of Bowen Law LLC obtained a Judgement in favor of a national broker and motor carrier following a two-day bench trial in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division. The client’s trailer had been abandoned at a rest stop and towed by a local Jacksonville tow company. Despite the exterior of the trailer listing the client’s contact information, the tow company failed to notify the client of its possession of the trailer and anticipated auction. The client was able to track down the trailer and initiate communications with the tow company, who proceeded to auction the trailer despite failure to provide statutory notice under Florida law to any owner, lienholder, or insurer of the trailer.
Throughout the litigation, the tow company maintained that it did nothing wrong and refused to acknowledge its errors. Ultimately, the broker/motor carrier prevailed on its claims of fraudulent misrepresentation and conversion. The Court entered Judgment in favor of the broker/motor carrier and against the tow company for the value of the trailer in the amount of $32,920; $20,000 in punitive damages; pre-judgment interest, estimated to be $9,284.25, and attorney’s fees and costs, estimated to be in excess of $50,000. We are happy justice has been obtained for this deserving client.
