Ricardo A. Gonzalez

Commercial Litigation and Arbitration

• Deligdish v. Bio-Reference Laboratories, Inc., No. 6:17-cv-438-Orl-31 DCI (M.D. Fla.). Served as lead litigation counsel for Bio-Reference Labs. ("BRL") in defense of action alleging that it breached the terms of a stock purchase agreement entered into by the parties for the purchase of plaintiff's business. Obtained summary judgment on the majority of the claims which accounted for approximately 85% of the $1.8 million in compensatory damages sought by plaintiff (Order available at: 2018 WL 6261868 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 18, 2018)); settled the remaining claim consistent with defendant's business and litigation objectives.
• Stoddard v. Microsoft Corp., et al., No. 2015 CA 002843 NC (Fla. 12th Jud. Cir.).  Served as lead counsel for Microsoft in a wrongful death suit brought by mother of deceased child in which she sought to hold Microsoft and other technology companies that had worked on an online child abuse reporting hotline (the "Hotline") for the Florida Department of Children and Families ("DCF") liable for her daughter' death, on the theory that, if the Hotline had been functional -- and plaintiff alleged that it was not -- then DCF would have received a report of suspected child abuse from the daughter's schoolteacher and acted to remove the child from the custody of the father and stepmother before they physically beat her  and inflicted fatal injuries to the child.  Obtained order dismissing the third amended complaint "with prejudice" (Jun. 13, 2018).
• Banco Central de Venezuela v. DolarToday, L.L.C., et al., No. 15-cv-00965 (GMS) (D. Del.). Served as lead counsel for DolarToday ("DT") -- a Miami-based online media and news aggregator that publishes a daily "black market" Venezuelan bolivar to U.S. dollar exchange rate (the "DT Rate") on its website -- and its principals in a lawsuit filed by an agency of the Venezuelan government which seeks to enjoin the defendants from publishing the DT Rate on the grounds that it violated the Lanham Act and Venezuelan law and was part of an illegal RICO conspiracy to devalue the bolivar; exacerbate price inflation in the Venezuelan economy; incite discontent among the Venezuelan electorate; and trigger the downfall of Nicolás Maduro's government. Obtained order dismissing the Venezuelan government's Second Amended Complaint "with prejudice."
• Seguros Universales, S.A., et al. v. Microsoft Corp., No. 13-cv-22131 (JLK) (S.D. Fla.).  Represented Microsoft in an action brought by three Guatemalan corporations which asserted claims for violation of RICO, fraud, and unjust enrichment based on allegations that Microsoft's "anti-piracy" team colluded with two other entities to provide false information to a Guatemalan special prosecutor in order to obtain a fraudulent  seizure order against plaintiffs from the Guatemalan courts, and with Guatemalan law enforcement officers in tow, used the seizure order to extort plaintiffs by demanding an on the spot agreement to pay $70,000, or "Microsoft would remove Plaintiffs' servers."  Obtained dismissal based on forum non conveniens.  (Order available at: 32 F.Supp.3d 1246 (S.D. Fl. Jul. 22, 2014)).
• Rojas, et al. v. Krypton Pest Control Co., et al., No. 1:10-cv-22757-LENARD/Turnoff (S.D. Fla.). Obtained a defense verdict against plaintiff, Roberto Rojas, in suit for unpaid overtime wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act. (Verdict, February 2, 2012).
• Varas Casado v. Hilton International Co., et al., No. 05-22454-CIV-ALTONAGA/Turnoff (S.D. Fla.). Member of team that represented defendants in premises liability action arising out of an incident at a Hilton hotel in Venezuela at which a minor child drowned in the hotel pool. Obtained dismissal of suit based on forum non conveniens. (Order available at: 2007 WL 9701182 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 22, 2007)).

Financial Services & Securities Litigation and Arbitration

• Evergreen E-Pay Solutions, Inc., et al. v. Visa, Inc., et al., 16-cv-21695-DPG (S.D. Fla.). Obtained order quashing service of process and vacating default judgment against Costa Rican credit card processor (Order, Jul. 10, 2018) and leveraged rulings to obtain voluntary dismissal of all claims by plaintiff (Notice, Aug. 29, 2018).
• In re Fairfield Greenwich Group Securities Litigation, MDL No. 2088 (S.D.N.Y.) (Anwar v. Fairfield Greenwich Group, et al., No. 09-Civ-0118 (VM)). Represented Standard Chartered Bank International (Americas) Ltd., StanChart Securities International, Inc. (collectively, "Standard"), and  their officers and associated persons in 55 cases transferred to a nationwide multidistrict litigation for actions nationwide claiming losses in the "feeder" funds that invested almost their assets in Bernard L. Madoff's "Ponzi" scheme.
• Gavaldon, et al. v. StanChart Securities Intl., et al., FINRA No. 10-05385 (San Diego, CA). Obtained dismissal of all claims following a two-week long final hearing in which former customers asserted claims for common law fraud and violation of Section 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act; as well as several other common law claims in connection with Standard's recommendations of Fairfield and sought over $50 million in compensatory and punitive damages and pre-judgment interest. (Award, Nov. 27, 2012 (available at: http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/aao documents/10-05385-Award-Majority%20Public%20Panel-20121128.pdf)); secured order denying claimants' motion to vacate arbitration award (Order available at: 2014 WL 1292907 (S.D. Ca. Mar. 28, 2014)).
• Jose Saltiel, et al. v. Standard Chartered Bank Intl. (Americas) Ltd., ICDR No. 50 148 T 00384 09 (Coral Gables, FL). Obtained dismissal of all claims following a three-day final arbitration hearing in which former Mexican private banking customers of Standard asserted claims for negligence and violation of FINRA's "Suitability Rule" in connection with Standard's recommendations of Fairfield and requested over $5 million in damages and pre-judgment interest. (Award, Oct. 27, 2010).
• Zuñiga, et al. v. StanChart Securities, Inc., et al., FINRA No. 09-06821 (Boca Raton, FL). Obtained prehearing dismissal of arbitration claim bought by former customers asserting common law and statutory claims based on Standard's alleged recommendations of Fairfield and seeking over $4 million in compensatory damages, plus advisory fees, pre-judgment interest, punitive damages, costs, expenses, and disbursements. (Award, Jul. 30, 2010 (available at: http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/aao documents/09-06821-Award-FINRA-20100730.pdf)).
• Barbachano v. Standard Chartered Bank Intl. (Americas) Ltd., No. 10-cv-22961-JJO (S.D. Fla.). Served as lead litigation and trial counsel for private bank in suit by former customer alleging that bank engaged in unauthorized transactions in his account. Obtained summary judgment on counts for negligence and breach of contract (Order available at: 2014 WL 29595 (S.D. Fla. Jan. 3, 2014)); secured defense verdict at trial on remaining count for breach of fiduciary duty. (Verdict available at: 2014 WL 2703448 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 11, 2014)).
• MKT Reps, S.A. de C.V. v. Standard Chartered Bank International (Americas) Ltd., No. 10-cv-22963-JJO (S.D. Fla.). Served as lead litigation and trial counsel for private bank in suit by former customer alleging that bank illegally "froze" his account. Obtained summary judgment on conversion count (Order available at: 2012 WL 1852411 (S.D. Fla. May 21, 2012)); secured a final judgment following a bench trial on the sole remaining count for tortuous interference with a business or contractual relationship (Final Judgment available at: 2012 WL 6951358 (S.D. Fla. Jul. 20, 2012), aff'd 520 Fed. Appx. 951 (11th Cir. Jun. 6, 2013)); and obtained an award for attorneys' fees and costs of $278,250.39 for defendant (Order available at: 2013 WL 1289261 (S.D. Fla. Mar. 28, 2013)).
• Larach v. Standard Chartered Bank Intl. (Americas) Ltd., et al., No. 09-cv-21178-FAM (S.D. Fla.). Served as lead litigation counsel for private bank in action by former customer alleging that bank forged his signature on certain pledge agreements and used them to recover unpaid loan amounts allegedly secured by the pledges. Obtained dismissal of count for violations of Section 8 of the SEC Act on motion to dismiss (Order available at: 724 F.Supp.2d 1228 (S.D. Fla. Jul. 2, 2010)); obtained dismissal of the majority of the remaining counts on summary judgment (Magistrate's Report Recommending Dismissal available at: 2011 WL 13173896 (S.D. Fla. Jun. 7, 2011), Order Adopting Magistrate's Report available at: 2011 WL 13174741 (S.D. Fla. Sep. 15, 2011)); and secured order striking plaintiff's expert witness and expert report (Order available at: 2011 WL 13173550 (May 5, 2011)).
• Hanna Enterprises, LLC v. Bear Stearns & Co., LLC, NASD No. 04-07370 (Boca Raton, FL). Served as "second chair" arbitration counsel for defendant and obtained dismissal of all claims following a week long final arbitration hearing in which claimant asserted causes of action for negligent misrepresentations and omissions; breach of fiduciary duty; breach of contract; and vicarious liability in connection with his failed hedge fund investments and sought damages in the amount of $4,465,165.00, plus pre-judgment interest and costs. (Award, Mar. 24, 2006 (available at: http://www.finra.org/sites/default/files/aao documents/04-07370-Award-NASD-20060324.pdf)).

Regulatory, Compliance & Special Investigations

• SEC Non-public Formal Order of Investigation. Represented individual broker dealer in a non-public (confidential) investigation by SEC staff regarding his involvement in the pricing, valuation, and analysis of certain collateralized debt obligations ("CDOs") at his former employer. SEC staff ultimately did not recommend that the Commission bring formal charges against the client.
• Non-public Internal Investigation of Vacation Resorts Owner and Developer. Advised leading U.S. vacation resorts owner and developer regarding Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) compliance and bribery and misappropriation issues in connection with a remodeling and construction project at a property in Cancun, Mexico.
• Non-public Internal Investigation of Clothing Manufacturer. Conducted confidential internal investigation for clothing manufacturer regarding embezzlement concerns and the lack or failure of internal controls.
• Non-public Internal Investigation of Telecommunications Company. Conducted confidential internal investigation for major U.S. telecommunications client regarding reported concerns of non-compliance with the FCPA and anti-bribery law by its business units in several countries in South America.

Pro-Bono

• In the Matter of the Adoption of John Doe and James Doe, Case No. [REDACTED] (11th Jud. Cir. Fla.). Represented the foster children in the landmark case that declared a Florida statute barring the adoption of children by gays and lesbians unconstitutional on equal protection grounds. The trial court's final judgment was affirmed by Florida's Third District Court of Appeals. See In re:. Adoption of X.X.G. and N.R.G., 45 So.3d 79, 92 (Fla. 3d DCA 2010). The following day, the governor of Florida announced that the statute would no longer be enforced in the state, and DCF issued a directive that prospective adoptive parents would no longer be questioned about their sexual orientation.

• Judge, Miami Herald Silver Knight Awards - General Scholarship, 2019; Social Sciences, 2017-2018
• American Bar Association, Special Projects Liaison to Section of Litigation Chair, 2015-2016
• Member, Campaign Committee, Legal Services of Greater Miami
• United Way of Greater Miami, Older Adult Impact Council
• Member, Hispanic National Bar Association
• Member, Federal Bar Association

• Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers®, "Law Firm of the Year," Banking & Finance - Litigation, 2017
• Team Member, Daily Business Review - Litigation Department of the Year Awards, "Large Firm," 2017
• Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," 2012, 2013, 2014
• Team Member, Daily Business Review - Litigation Department of the Year Awards, "Large Firm," 2013
• SAVE DADE Foundation, "Champion of Equality Award," May 2011
• Daily Business Review, "Most Effective Lawyer," Appellate, 2010
• Daily Business Review, "Most Effective Lawyer," Pro Bono, 2009

• Greenberg Traurig, LLP (2003 - 2019)
• Federal Trade Commission, Bureau of Consumer Protection, Div. of Financial Practices (2000 - 2003)