Craig S. Hudson
Suite 500
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Much of Craig's practice is concentrated in defending non-medical professionals, principally lawyers, accountants, architects, engineers, real estate professionals, property managers, insurance brokers and investment professionals. As a manager, Craig is responsible for the daily operations of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office and oversees 25 attorneys and support staff. Craig also acts as a supervising attorney for the Professional Liability Practice Group in the state of Florida, and manages the activities of 15 attorneys who work in this practice area throughout the state.S
In addition to representing non-medical professionals, Craig also represents not-for-profit associations and their directors and officers. These groups include condominium and homeowners associations, as well as other charitable or quasi-governmental entities, in defending breach of fiduciary duty and other claims asserted against them.
A trial attorney for over 20 years, Craig has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts in Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. His has a diverse client base that includes major international corporations as well as sole proprietors.
Craig began his legal career concentrating his practice in general casualty defense litigation and commercial litigation. In 1996, Craig joined Marshall Dennehey, where he devoted much of his practice to defending motor vehicle and other manufacturers against product liability claims, as well defending amusement parks in a variety of casualty claims.
In 2002, Craig began to transition his practice to the Professional Liability Department, where he concentrates his practice today. In 2006, Craig became a member of the Florida Bar and accepted the position of managing attorney of the Fort Lauderdale office.
Craig offers his clients not only his significant trial experience but his managerial experience and business acumen.
Significant Representative Matters
Defended Florida real estate attorney in a legal malpractice lawsuit arising out of the actions taken by the attorney which led to a default judgment being entered against his client, resulting in his client losing the right to enforce an option to purchase valuable real estate at below market price. After filing a motion for summary judgment asserting that plaintiff could not establish that the option to purchase was enforceable, the case settled for nuisance value.
Defended Florida matrimonial attorney in a lawsuit filed by a dissatisfied client after a very acrimonious divorce proceeding to determine property settlement, child custody, and permanent alimony, which included three trials, two appeals, and dozens of motions. Plaintiff identified multiple "errors" by the attorney and claimed over $1 million in damages. Eventually was able to undermine each of the claims made by the plaintiff, and eventually the case was able to be settled well below the plaintiff's bottom line figure.
Defended Florida structural engineer in a multi-party binding arbitration arising out of a large condominium project. The case eventually settled without any contribution from the structural engineer.
Defended Florida mechanical engineer in a multi-party pre-suit mediation arising out of a large multi-use complex wherein the case settled with the mechanical engineer making the lowest contribution to the settlement fund.
Defended auto manufacturer in a number of cases claiming defective airbag system in which several of them went to trial and all ended with defense verdicts.
Successfully defended at trial a national amusement park operator in several lawsuits claiming personal injuries caused by the alleged negligence of the amusement park operator by obtaining defense verdict in each of the cases.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of title agent alleged to have been involved in a fraudulent mortgage scheme.
Obtained summary judgment on behalf of large masonry contractor in claim arising out of the collapse of a large wall during the course of construction.
Defended actuary and benefits expert in a binding AAA arbitration in claims of professional negligence arising out of the termination of a defined benefits. Following twelve days of hearing, the case settled with a payment by the actuary and benefits expert far below the amount claimed at the beginning of the arbitration.
Areas of Practice
- Professional Liability
- Health Care Liability
- Medical Device & Pharmaceutical
- Long-Term Care Liability
- Product Liability Law
- Premises Liability - Defense
- Business & Commercial Law
- Constitution Law
Education
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law - Camden, Camden, New Jersey, 1985 J.D.
Honors: Moot Court Board
Villanova University, 1982 B.A.
Published Works
"Third Circuit Confirms That All Claims Concerning Medical Devices, Other Than Breach of Express Warranty Claims, Are Barred," Defense Digest, January, 1996
Classes/Seminars Taught
Understanding the Sub-Prime Credit and Housing Crises, AIG, 2008
Sub-Prime Market Collapse and Its Impact on Claims against Professionals involved in Real Estate Transactions, Gen Star, 2008
Defending Construction Defect Litigation Claims in Florida, Liberty International, 2007
Claims Against the Board of Directors of Condominium and Homeowner Associations, USLI, 2006
Areas of Practice
- Professional Liability
- Health Care Liability
- Medical Device & Pharmaceutical
- Long-Term Care Liability
- Product Liability Law
- Premises Liability - Defense
- Business & Commercial Law
- Constitution Law
Education
- Villanova University (B.A., 1982)
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law (J.D., 1985)
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 1985
- New Jersey, 1986
- U.S District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S District Court Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S District Court of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
- Florida, 2006
- U.S District Court Southern District of Florida
- U.S District Court Middle District of Florida
Associations & Memberships
- Broward County Bar Association
- Florida State Bar Association
- Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association