Paul B. Ranis

• Obtained a temporary injunction on behalf of an orthopedic medical practice against former physician who violated 12-mile non-compete in his employment agreement. Pursuant to the temporary injunction, the former physician was required to immediately cease employment with his new employer, who operated a competing practice within the restricted zone. 
• Represented South Florida medical practice and office manager in noncompete lawsuit filed by manager's former employer. Obtained dismissal with prejudice after deposition of the plaintiff's representative.
• Represented a South Florida distributor and grower of fruits and vegetables in the enforcement of a non-compete agreement against a former sales executive, resulting in entry of a final judgment for injunctive relief in favor of client. See Pero Vegetable Company, LLC v. Dale Chase, Case no: 502014CA011484XXXXMB (AI) in the 15th judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County, FL.
• Represented international technology company in non-compete lawsuit in federal court, resulting in entry of injunction against former account executive. 
• Represented national calling-card company in enforcement of non-compete agreement against former sales executives, resulting in permanent injunction and lost profit award of $1.35 million. 
• Represented national car dealership in noncompete and nonsolicitation lawsuit filed by competitor, resulting in denial of temporary injunction. 
• Represented national telecommunications company in multiple actions, including employment-related matters, breach of contract claims and brokerage commission cases.°
• Represented aviation supply corporation in enforcement of restrictive covenant against former sales manager, resulting in an injunction prohibiting sales manager from working with a competitor.°

• In March 2022, Mr. Ranis secured a complete victory in an employment discrimination and retaliation case brought against client MDVIP, LLC. The plaintiff sued MDVIP in 2021 asserting that she had been wrongfully terminated and retaliated against based on her race and national origin. Plaintiff also asserted failure to train and failure to promote claims, together with other claims. Plaintiff sought compensatory damages and punitive damages. After extensive document productions and depositions were taken, MDVIP moved for summary judgment, arguing that the plaintiff had failed to present a prima facie case for employment discrimination, failed to show any similarly situated employees who were treated the same, and failed to show that MDVIP’s legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for its actions were pretextual. In a strongly worded opinion, U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida agreed with MDVIP on all grounds. After recognizing that MDVIP had proffered non-discriminatory reasons for its actions, Judge Middlebrooks concluded that “plaintiff has not pointed to a shred of evidence to suggest that these reasons were pretextual.”
• Defended South Florida mobile home park in discrimination lawsuit filed under the Fair Housing Act, resulting in dismissal of all claims, with prejudice, and an award of substantial monetary sanctions against the plaintiffs and their counsel (Summer 2019). 
• Lead trial counsel for Fortune 500 company, its former General Counsel, and its former Vice President of Human Resources in three-week jury trial for alleged disability discrimination and defamation, which resulted in complete defense verdict on all claims where plaintiff had sought in excess of $8 million in damages (April 2019).
• Represented South Florida employer in alleged marital status discrimination, resulting in dismissal of lawsuit. See Industrial Affiliates, Ltd. v. Fish, 25 So. 3d 629 (Fla. 3d DCA 2009).
• Represented national movie theatre chain in multicount discrimination and retaliation lawsuit, resulting in summary judgment in favor of client.°

• Represented national retailer in nationwide collective action under the FLSA, resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit. 
• Represented international tire company in multiple employment-related and overtime actions.°
• Represented national gas station client in FLSA collective action overtime lawsuit in federal court, resulting in a final judgment for the defense.°

• Represented national real estate company in Florida whistleblower action, resulting in dismissal of lawsuit.
• Represented national storage company in whistleblower lawsuit, resulting in defense verdict in federal jury trial.°

• Represented 16 non-resident defendants who were LLC entities and individuals sued in Palm Beach County, Florida. Filed motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction and successfully obtained a dismissal order as to all 16 defendants as a matter of Florida law and constitutional due process. See October 7, 2021 Order in Evolution v. Cohen, et al., Case No. 50-2021-CA-006688 (AK).
• Represented Florida real estate developer and executive in a tort action where the plaintiff sought injunctive relief and $22 million in damages. After discovery, obtained final summary judgment on all claims in favor of the clients. See July 7, 2016 final summary judgment for the defendants in JS Partners Grace vs. The St. Joe Company and Patrick Murphy, Case No. 15-210-CA, in the 1st Judicial Circuit in Walton County, Florida.

• Served as lead trial counsel for Florida biotechnology and pharmaceutical company in defamation claim filed by a former executive. In July 2022, successfully argued and obtained final order of dismissal with prejudice.
• Served as lead trial counsel in jury trial involving claim of corporate defamation, resulting in verdict in favor of South Florida client.

• Represented Black Dragon Capital in connection with its acquisition of Grass Valley, a leading technology supplier of advanced broadcast and media solutions, with operations in over 20 different jurisdictions worldwide.
• Represented Blue Wolf Capital Partners, LLC in connection with its acquisition of Kirlin Design Build LLC, one of the country’s leading engineering and construction companies, focused on large, complex federal and private sector projects. 
• Represented Centre Partners in connection with its sale of Stonewall Kitchen, a leading manufacturer of premium branded specialty food and gift products, including jams, olive oils, bottled sauces, crackers and pancake mixes. 
• Represented Blue Wolf Capital Partners, LLC in connection with its acquisition of RHA Health Services, a leading provider of community-based health services focused on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, behavioral health needs and substance use challenges.

°The above matters were handled by Mr. Ranis prior to his joining Greenberg Traurig, P.A. 

• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America
  • Employment Law - Management, 2020-2024
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2023-2024
  • "Lawyer of the Year," Employment Law - Management, Fort Lauderdale, 2023
• Team Member, U.S. News - Best Lawyers^®, Best Law Firms Edition, "Law Firm of the Year," Real Estate - Litigation, 2017 and 2022
• Listed, Super Lawyers magazine, Florida Super Lawyers, 2014-2023
• Selected, Fort Lauderdale Illustrated, "Top Lawyers - Labor and Employment Law," 2020-2023
• Listed, The Legal 500 United States, Intellectual Property - Trade Secrets, 2016-2017
• Listed, South Florida Legal Guide, "Top Lawyer," 2015-2016, 2020-2021
• Rated, AV Preeminent^® 5.0 out of 5.0

°AV^®, AV Preeminent^®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished^SM and Martindale-Hubbell Notable^SM are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell^® certification procedures, standards and policies.

• Member, Board of Directors, Federal Bar Association – Broward County Chapter, 2020-2021 
• Member, Broward County Bar Association
• Adjunct professor, Nova Southeastern University School of Law
• Lecturer, NITA Deposition Seminars, 2000-Present