Francisco Ramos

Administrative Partner

framos@cspalaw.com

(305) 347-1544

Areas of Practice in Litigation

Certified Mediator
Class Actions
Commercial Litigation
Employment Law
Medical Malpractice
Product Liability

Professional Experience

Mr. Ramos handles a variety of litigation matters in the state and federal courts throughout Florida. His litigation practice includes complex commercial disputes, product liability, medical malpractice, general personal injury and special education issues. He is also certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit and County Court Mediator.

Mr. Ramos graduated as the valedictorian of Curley Notre Dame High School in 1990, and went on to receive his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Florida International University, summa cum laude, in 1993. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude, in 1997.

At FIU, Mr. Ramos received the Political Science Academic Achievement Award in 1992, and again in 1993. He also received the Political Science Book Award in 1992, the highest accolade bestowed by the political science department. In 1992, Mr. Ramos presented his research findings regarding racial integration in Dade County churches at the FIU Honors Symposium.

At the University of Miami, Mr. Ramos was a member of the University of Miami Law Review and Order of the Coif. He received Certificates of Achievement and Scholastic Excellence for his course work in Criminal Procedure, Local Government Law and Business Associations.

Bar Admissions

Florida Bar, 1997

Court Admissions

United States Supreme Court
United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
United States District Court, Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida
Florida Supreme Court
Certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit and County Court Mediator

Activities & Memberships

Cuban American Bar Association
* Co-Editor of CABA Briefs (2005)
* Editor-in-Chief of CABA Briefs (2006)
Dade County Bar Association
* Co-Editor of the Bulletin (2003-2005)
* Vice Chair of the Business Development Committee (2008-2009)
Dade County Defense Bar Association
* Board Member
Defense Research Institute ("DRI")
* Editor of the Trial Tactics’ Newsletter (2005-2006)
* Chair of Marketing Subcommittee for Diversity Seminar (2006)
Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society
* Chairperson (2006-2007)
* Editor of Eleventh Judicial Circuit Historical Society Magazine (2007)
Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel
* Vice Chair of the Professional Liability Committee (2007-2008)
* Vice Chair of the Diversity Initiative Committee (2007-2008)
* Chair of the Diversity Initiative Committee (2008-2009)
* Hot Cases Editor (2007-2009)
Florida Defense Lawyers Association ("FDLA")
* Chairperson of the Commercial Law Committee (2002-2003)
* Board Member (2003-2006)
* Faculty (2003, 2004,2006)
* Co-Editor of the Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004-2005)
* Editorial Chair of the Trial Advocate Quarterly (2005-2007)
* Secretary/Treasurer (2006-2007)
* President Elect (2007-2008)
* President (2008-2009)
Legal Services of Greater Miami
* Board Member (2003-2006)
Parent to Parent of Miami
* Board Member (2002-2004)
Pro Bono
* Lawyers for Children
* Volunteer Lawyers’ Project
Florida International University
* Honors College Advisory Board
* Honors College Alumni Association Board
* Alumni Association Board

Honors & Awards

AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell
Trial Advocate Quarterly Award (2003)
South Florida Legal Guide Top Lawyers Up and Comer (2004-2008); Top Lawyer (2009)
Florida Trend Florida Legal Elite Up and Coming Attorney (2004, 2009), Legal Elite (2009)
Florida Super Lawyers Rising Star (2009)
The Best Lawyers In America, Product Liability (2010)
Listed in Strathmore Who’s Who
Florida Defense Lawyers Association James A. Dixon Young Lawyers Award (2005)
Florida Defense Lawyers Association Community Service Award (2005)
Florida Defense Lawyers Association President’s Award (2006)
Marquis Who’s Who of Emerging Leaders (2007)
Miami-Dade County Law Library Heroes’ Award (2007)
FIU Charles E. Perry Young Alumni Visionary Award (2008)
Heritage Who’s Who Among Executives and Professionals (2010)
Florida Defense Lawyers Association Appreciation Award (2010)
Florida Defense Lawyers Association Joseph M. Metzger Outstanding Achievement Award (2010)

Education

J.D., University of Miami School of Law, magna cum laude, 1997
B.A., Florida International University, summa cum laude, 1993

Publications

Books:

• Editor-In-Chief The Defense Speaks, Florida Defense Lawyers Association Defense Manual (2006)
• Editor-In-Chief Trial Tactics Defense Litigation Manual, Defense Research Institute (2006)
• Author, From Law School to Litigator, Florida Bar (2007)

Articles:

• "Florida’s Mechanics Lien Law," El Proyecto (2002)
• "Court of Appeals Declares Portion of Miami-Dade County Zoning Code Unconstitutional," El Proyecto (2002)
• "The Underground Facility Damage Prevention and Safety Act: The Excavator’s Duties," El Proyecto (2002)
• "How Writing Things Down Can Help You Win in Litigation," Hispanic Business (2002)
• "Before You Sign Your Next Contract...Look out for the Following Ten Traps Hiding in the Fine Print," Hispanic Business (2002)
• "Deposing Plaintiff’s Treating Physician: A Primer," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2002)
• "Thinking Like A Lawyer: How to Advocate on Behalf of Your Special-Needs Child," Exceptional Parent (2003)
• "Working for Kings," The Voice (2003)
• "Non-Compete Agreements in Florida," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2003)
• "Avoiding Malpractice: Steps Nurse Practitioners Can Take to Reduce Their Exposure to Malpractice Suits," Advance Nurse Practitioner (2003)
• "Closing the Deal: How to Be a Better Negotiator," Hispanic Trends (2003)
• "What to Expect and How to Prepare for Your Deposition," Hispanic Business (2003)
• "Should You Sign that Employment Contract? You May be Limiting Your Future Career Options by Doing So," South Florida Business Journal (2003)
• "Florida Appellate Court finds Sexual Predator Law Unconstitutional," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Pap Smear Litigation," Advance for Laboratory Professionals (2003)
• "Fewer Things, More God," Unless the Lord (2002); Christian Reader (2003)
• "Protecting Trade Secrets in Florida," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2003)
• "Tips for the Young Lawyer: Preparing for a Hearing in State Court," The Bulletin (2003); Florida Bar News (2003)
• "United States Supreme Court Declares ’Megan’s Law’ Constitutional," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Florida Tackles Medical Malpractice Reform," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "You Want Me to Sign What?! Non-Compete Agreements in the Workplace," Hispanic Trends (2003)
• "The Federal Government Makes It Easier to Understand HIPAA’s Privacy Rules," Advance Nurse Practitioner Magazine (2003)
• "Life’s Blood," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2003)
• "Florida Supreme Court Says Patients Can Sue Their HMOs," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Interview a Witness," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003); Florida Bar News (2003)
• "Estate Taxes and You," Business Reform (2003)
• "Embracing the Lying Plaintiff," The Defense Post (2004)
• "Yesterday’s Sexual Abuse—Today’s Lawsuits," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Prepare to Take a Deposition," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003)
• "Can Anti-Discrimination Laws Undermine Diversity in the Workplace?," Hispanic Magazine (2004)
• "Will You Raise Your Right Hand—Preparing for Your Deposition," Advance for Nurse Practitioners (2003)
• "Your Rights Under Florida’s Lemon Law," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Prepare to Take the Expert’s Deposition," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003)
• "United States Supreme Court Embraces Diversity But Rejects Quotas," Hispanic Magazine (2003)
• "What Insurance is Right for Your Business?," Business Reform (2003)
• "Public Libraries Must Block Internet Pornography to Receive Federal Funds," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Write a Motion in State Court," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003); Florida Bar News (2003)
• "Stop Calling Me! The Federal Government Creates a Do Not Call List," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "How to Investigate Any Personal Injury Case," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Handle Defense Medical Examinations," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003)
• "Cruise Lines May be Sued for the Malpractice of Ship Doctors," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Prepare for Mediation," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2003)
• "My Sons’ Eyes," The Professional (2003)
• "Advice for the New Defense Lawyer: How to Handle Defense Medical Examinations," For the Defense (2003)
• "Telemarketers Challenge the National Do Not Call List," Good News in South Florida (2003)
• "How to Prevent a Lawsuit from Crashing Your Child’s Party," South Florida Parenting (2004)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Prepare Your Client for His Deposition," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Writing Tips for Lawyers," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004)
• "How to Prepare a Case for Trial," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004);, Florida Bar News (2004)
• "A Life Worth Living," The Professional (2004)
• "Hispanics Hiring Hispanics: You May Be Inviting a Lawsuit by Choosing Latinos Over Anglos," Hispanic Trends (2004)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: Keeping Clients Happy," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Defending the Negligent Security Case," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Hire the Right Expert," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Tips for the New Lawyer: How to be a Better Writer," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Stopping Sexual Harassment Before it Begins," Hispanic Trends (2004)
• "How to Be Your Own Investigator," CABA Briefs (2004)
• "What Documents Should You Ask the Plaintiff to Produce?," The Defense Post (2004)
• "Stop Touching Me! Confronting Sexual Harassment in the Workplace," Hispanic Magazine (2004)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Improve Your Research Skills," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Negligent Security Bills Die in the Legislature," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004)
• "Life’s Blood—Part Two," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004)
• "Advice for the New Lawyer: How to Draft Interrogatories," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Less Space, More Family," Today’s Christian (2004)
• "Living Wills: Choosing Life or Death When the Choice Is Still Yours," South Florida Parenting (2004)
• "Caring for Your Employees and Their Families: Your Obligations Under the Family Medical Leave Act," Hispanic Trends (2004)
• "Advice for the New Attorney: Ten Ways to Improve Your Resume," The Young Lawyer (2004)
• "Travel Tips for Associates," The Young Lawyer (2004)
• "Advice for the New Defense Lawyer: Drafting Requests for Production—Getting the Documents You Want," The Defense Post (2004)
• "Submitting a Writing Sample that Gets Noticed," The Young Lawyer (2004)
• "The Man and the Tower: A Parable," The Professional (2004)
• "Tips for the New Attorney: How to Get Trial Experience," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Defending the Small Claims Court Case," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2004)
• "The Proper Care and Feeding of Associates: Creating an Associate Training Program that Works," Small Firm Business (2004)
• "Cross-Examination," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2004)
• "Checklists Aren’t Just for Groceries: They’re for Litigators Too," Second Chair (2004)
• "Building a Better Lawyer," Second Chair (2004)
• "Picking the Right Firm," Young Lawyer (2005)
• "Know Your Opponent," The Advocate (2005)
• "An Employer’s Responsibilities Under the Americans With Disabilities Act," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Getting Published," Across the Bar (2005)
• "Get Involved," The Young Lawyer (2005)
• "E-Mail Etiquette," The Young Lawyer (2005)
• "Picking the Right Mentor," DRI Young Lawyers Newsletter (2005)
• "Why Do I Need a Mentor?," DRI Young Lawyers Newsletter (2005)
• "Making the Most of Your Mentor," DRI Young Lawyers Newsletter (2005)
• "The Last Day on Earth," The Bencher (2005)
• "Books Every Attorney Should Read," Across the Bar (2005)
• "Religious Discrimination in the Workplace," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Time Management 101," Second Chair (2005)
• "How to Interview Your Client," Second Chair (2005)
• "How to Set a Deposition," Second Chair (2005)
• "What to Do When You First Get a Case," The Defense Post (2005)
• "Taking the Corporate Representative Deposition," Miami-Dade County Bar Association Bulletin (2005)
• "How Bankruptcy Reform Will Affect You," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Career Day," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2005)
• "How to Hire an Investigator," The Defense Post (2005)
• "You’re Suing Me?! What to Do When Your Company Is Served with a Lawsuit," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Death Comes Softly," The Professional (2005)
• "Our Senator, Mel Martinez," CABA Briefs (2005)
• "What is this Case Worth?," CABA Briefs (2005)
• "You Can’t Win Without a Theme," Strictly Speaking (2005)
• "15 Mistakes Companies Make and How to Avoid Them," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "How to Write to the Client," The Whisper (2005)
• "What Is Your Long Range Plan?," Noticias (2005)
• "Improving Your Firm’s Writing Style," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2006)
• Why Do I Belong to a Minority Bar Association," SOLO Newsletter (2005
• "No Se Habla Espanol—English Only Policies in the Workplace," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Legal Research on the Internet," The Defense Post (2005)
• "Keeping Clients Feliz," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Preparing for the Expert’s Deposition," DRI Drug and Medical Device Newsletter (2005)
• "Landing that Job Interview," Res Ipsa Loquitor (2005)
• "Secretary Carlos Gutierrez, Our Secretary of Commerce," CABA Briefs (2005)
• "Learning from Others’ Mistakes—How a Mentor Can Make You a Better Business Person," Hispanic Trends (2005)
• "Mistakes Associates Make and How to Avoid Them," The Defense Post (2005)
• "Wrestling Goliath—Negotiating with Large Companies," Hispanic Trends (2006)
• "Our Florida Bar President—Frank Angones," CABA Briefs (2006)
• "What Being a Lawyer Has Taught Me," Trial Advocate Quarterly (2006)
• “Defending the Case You Can’t Win,” Defense Post (2006)
• "Book Review: Judge for Yourself," Diversity and the Bar (2006)
• "Preparing for Trial," For the Defense (2006)
• "How to Write to a Partner," The Whisper (2006)
• "Getting Past the Fear," ABA Litigation Update (2006)
• "Being Latino-Being a Lawyer," ABA Diversity in the Profession Committee Newsletter (2006)
• "2006 Election—Mexicans Have Spoken," Vista Magazine (2006)
• "Using Your Expert to Win Your Case," Second Chair (2006)
• "Preparing for and Taking the Plaintiff’s Deposition," The DRI Defense Manual (2006)
• "Preparing for Trial," For the Defense (2006)
• "The One in Fifty Mentality," The Defense Post (2006)
• "Define Your Own Legacy," Trial Magazine (2006)
• "How to Be a Rainmaker," Litigation Update (2006)
• "10 Qualities of a Superstar Candidate and 10 Ways to Pick One," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "A Checklist for Defending Class Actions: 20 Best Practices Tips," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "What Judges Expect from the Lawyers Who Appear Before Them," The Defense Post (2007)
• "How to Start Your Own Firm," Second Chair (2007)
• "Defending Your Client’s Deposition," The Defense Post (2007)
• "Preparing Your Expert for His Direct Examination at Trial," Trial Tactics’ Newsletter (2007)
• "Diversity in the Workplace: Where We Are," Hispanic Business (2007)
• "Facing the Threat to Diversity," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "Discussing Diversity: Law Firm Leaders Discuss How Their Firms Have Increased Diversity," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "Facing the Threats to Diversity," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "Round the Table with Top Managing Partners," Diversity & The Bar (2007)
• "The Lost Art of Letter Writing," Hispanic Business Magazine website (2008)
• "Making the Most of the Drive to Work," Hispanic Business Magazine website (2008)
• "Join the 10x10x10 Campaign!," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Profile - National Bar Association - Commercial Law Section," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Focus - National Asian Pacific American Bar Association," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Focus - National Lesbian and Gay Law Association," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "DuPont's Minority Counsel Network and Its 10th Anniversary Minority Counsel Conference," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Focus - Association of Corporate Counsel," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "The Many Faces of Hispanic," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Focus - Hispanic National Bar Association," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Association Focus - Council on Legal Education Opportunity," Diversity & The Bar (2008)
• "Starting Your Own Blawg" ABA Pretrial Practice and Discovery Newsletter (2008)
• "Ten Things Your Expert Neglected To Tell You" ABA Litigation News (2009)
• "How College Football Has Made Me A Better Lawyer" ABA Litigation News (2009)
• “The Interview” The Bencher (2012)

Presentations

• Moderator, "Commercial Law Trends," Florida Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting (2003)
• Faculty, FDLA Young Lawyers Trial Advocate Program (2003, 2004, 2006)
• Speaker, "How to Mediate a Case," Legal Services of Greater Miami (2004)
• Speaker, "Keeping Clients Happy," 20th Annual Court Observer Program (2004)
• Moderator, "Defending the Negligent Security Case," Florida Defense Lawyers Association Annual Meeting (2004)
• Faculty, FDCC Litigation Management College (2008)
• Litigation Case Plans and Budgets - FDCC Litigation Management College (2008)
• Keynote Speaker at FIU Honors College Graduation Ceremony (2008)

Additional Languages

Spanish