Taylor, Kassandra Doyle - Hamilton Miller & Birthisel

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Kassandra Doyle Taylor

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Kassandra Doyle Taylor is a partner in the firm’s Miami office. Kassandra is a trial attorney and a board certified admiralty and maritime lawyer who has defended clients in almost every aspect of maritime law. Her extensive client list included cruise lines, P&I clubs, underwriters, corporations, insureds, marinas, vessel owners, onboard concessionaires, liveries, marine contractors, port operators, and individuals in crew, longshoreman, and passenger claims. Her experience also includes personal injury claims, first- and third-party insurance claims, coverage matters; and commercial contract disputes. Kassandra is a skilled litigator whose ability to analyze and evaluate cases has benefitted her clients in allowing them to get expedient and favorable results.

Before joining HM&B, Kassandra excelled in litigation at both the state and federal level and in international arbitrations. Over the years, she has secured numerous defense verdicts on behalf of her clients, including three favorable arbitral defense verdicts just three weeks apart — an unprecedented result at the time.

Kassandra is passionate about community involvement and has served as a Florida Certified Guardian Ad Litem.

PRACTICE AREAS

Admiralty and Maritime

Education

J.D.cum laude, University of Florida, Levin College of Law

Law College Counsel President, 2008-2009
JMBA Student of the Year, 2009
International Law Journal

B.A., with honors, Duke University

Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority

Experience

Secured a partial summary judgment for two clients that operated tours and shore excursions in St. Thomas, USVI in a wrongful death case enforcing the terms of a pre-activity release waiver. The case proceeded to trial in the District Court for the US Virgin Islands on plaintiff’s only remaining claims, that the tour operators’ gross negligence had caused the death. The case settled three days into the jury trial.
Successfully represented a cruise line in an issue of first impression before the Eleventh Circuit. Issues involved whether a cruise ship employee who is injured on the job and whose employment contract contains an arbitration agreement governed by the New York Convention and Chapter 2 of the Federal Arbitration Act can bar arbitration by showing that high costs may prevent him from effectively vindicating his federal statutory rights in the arbitral forum.
Successfully defended claims by a crewmember who sued a major cruise line alleging failure to provide a safe workplace under the Jones Act and that the ship was unseaworthy.

Recognition

Florida Super Lawyers, “Super Lawyer,” Transportation/Maritime (2020 – 2022)
Florida Super Lawyers, “Rising Star,” Transportation/Maritime (2018–2019)
The Florida Bar, Certified in Admiralty & Maritime Law

Memberships

Admiralty & Maritime Law Certification Committee, Florida Bar (2018 – 2021)
Admiralty Law Committee, Florida Bar (2015 – 2018; 2021 – Present)

Admissions

Florida
U.S. District Court for the Southern, Middle and Northern Districts of Florida

Presentations

“Sea of Change: Are Seafarers Still ‘Wards of Admiralty’?” 2023 Florida Bar Winter Meeting, January 19, 2023
“Good Faith — Protecting Your Insured,” Client presentation for new hires of an insurance underwriter focusing on duties to the insured and bad faith litigation, April 2016
“Case Studies — Lessons in Liability,” Client presentation for the liability group of an insurance underwriter focusing on best strategies to handle claims in common maritime accidents, such as multi-vessel collisions and diving-related deaths, April 2016

Publications

“Sea of Change: Are Seafarers Still ‘Wards of Admiralty’?” Marine Log, October 2022

Community Involvement

Florida Certified Guardian Ad Litem (2015 – 2018)
Duke University’s Alumni Admissions Advisory Committee Member (2007 – Present)