Author Archives: Michael Pike

A Rundown of New Florida Laws Going Into Effect January 1, 2023
Several new laws are set to take effect on New Year’s Day, focusing on issues like newborn health care, toll relief and, of course, the shaky property insurance system. Here’s a look at them: Electronic filing of taxes (SB 2514) The law lowers the threshold for Florida taxpayers to file electronically from $20,000 to… Read More »

Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles Highlights Major Accomplishments of 2022
The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) strives to create safer roadways for Florida drivers every year. This year, the FLHSMV has released a list of accomplishments that should make every Florida driver a little more proud. FLHSMV’s key accomplishments from the last year include: Secured Historic Pay Increases for State… Read More »

Florida Highway Patrol Offers Tips for Safe Labor Day Travel
AAA predicts this to be the busiest Labor Day travel weekend in three years, reaching pre-pandemic levels. Trends are similar to the busy Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends this year. To help keep travelers safe on the roads, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) and its division of… Read More »

Case Result: Did Award-Winning Photographer Bring Copyright Case Over Unregistered Photos? Defense Lawyers Say Yes
A lawsuit by Florida resident Charles Ngo over the alleged use of a copyrighted photograph by award-winning Texas photographer Tom Hussey has developed into a claim of fraud on the court, as the defense asserts the photo was never registered as claimed. South Florida lawyers Daniel Lustig, Michael J. Pike and Dominique Torsiello claim award-winning Texas photographer Tom… Read More »
Case Result: Should Have Skipped Leg Day: Gym Records Crush Defendant’s Protection Against $2.2M Judgment
A California dentist’s gym records foiled his alleged plans to avoid paying a $2.2 million judgment against him by claiming Florida homestead protection. A California resident’s reported love for exercise helped dash his chance of escaping a nearly $2.2 million judgment against him, plaintiffs lawyer Michael Pike said. The result was a landmark ruling against… Read More »
Pike & Lustig Case Result: South Florida Marketing Agency Wins $2.5 Million Verdict in Copyright Case
West Palm Beach lawyers won a $2.55 million verdict earlier this month in a copyright infringement case. A South Florida marketing agency that designed a website to promote singles clubs along the East Coast won a $2.55 million copyright infringement judgment earlier this month after one of its clients had the design copied and… Read More »

Class Action Shareholder Lawsuit Filed Against Florida-Based PureCycle Technologies
According to a report from Yahoo Finance, a class action shareholder lawsuit has been filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against PureCycle Technologies. Based in Orlando, FL, PureCycle Technologies is a recycling processing company. Representatives for the plaintiffs allege that the company made material misrepresentations to shareholders…. Read More »

Florida Voters Decide Future of the State’s Minimum Wage
On November 3, 2020, Florida voters passed Amendment 2, increasing Florida’s minimum wage to $15.00 per hour over a period of years. Florida’s minimum wage was already set to increase from $8.56 per hour to $8.65 per hour effective January 1, 2021. However, with Amendment 2, the next annual increase will be to $10.00… Read More »

How Your Florida Business Can Face a Negligence Per Se Claim During the Stay-at-Home Order
State and local governments in Florida ordered to shut down all non-essential businesses in response to the spread of the coronavirus disease. Gov. Ron DeSantis’s order, issued on April 1, 2020, clarifies that only essential businesses can remain open. Essential businesses include pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, banks, laundry services, post offices, hardware stores,… Read More »

Are Ballot Selfies Really Illegal?
You may have heard that taking a picture of yourself with your ballot when you vote and posting it on social media is against the law. Well, here in Florida, it may surprise you to learn that yes, it is. There is no federal law regarding ballot selfies in the US, so creating laws… Read More »