Overview
Alaina serves as Counsel in the Litigation Department at McDonald Hopkins, embodying the spirit of a true Jill-of-all-trades within the legal field. Her passion for every aspect of the law is matched by a broad expertise that spans national commercial litigation and trial practice.
Her areas of specialization include general commercial litigation, non-competes, trademark disputes, defamation cases, and large-scale lease disputes. Furthermore, Alaina adeptly handles corporate matters such as internal investigations, executive workouts, corporate governance, and insurance coverage disputes across diverse industries like aviation, automotive, medical, and food services. Her litigation and transactional prowess also encompasses representation of large institutional franchisee clients in sectors including restaurant, retail, automotive, pharmaceutical, and healthcare.
Alaina's approach to law is characterized by a proactive stance in litigation, transactions, client counseling, and problem solving, always with the goal of either avoiding or minimizing litigation exposure or maximizing recovery, depending on the situation at hand.
Alaina's distinguished career is backed by an extensive background as trial counsel in both state and federal courts, alongside arbitration proceedings nationwide. She is also an experienced appellate lawyer, having argued before state and federal courts in Florida.
Representative Cases & Matters
Business Litigation
- Trial counsel for minority interest holder of closely held corporation in a twelve-day trial on claims and counterclaims arising from the ownership and operation of a substantial commercial real estate holding venture. See Schmitz Development Company et al v. Dorothy Joan Schmitz et al, Case No. 2018-000931-CA-01 (Fla. 11th Jud. Cir. 2020).
- Successfully obtained complete exoneration and dismissal with prejudice for client facing fraud, civil conspiracy, abuse of process and received final summary judgement of malicious prosecution claim in a hotly contested case matter. Javier Lanza v. Boca Tide, LLC et al, Case No.: 2020-CA- 010253 (Fla. 15th Jud. Cir. 2022).
Employment Claims
- Defended numerous retailers, service providers, and other institutional clients in wage and hour, harassment, discrimination, and retaliation cases.
Contract Actions
- Trial counsel for restaurant franchisee in five-day federal trial arising from disputes over the sale of five franchise units. See Picktown Foods, LLC et al v. Tim Hortons USA, Inc., 1:17-cv-21072-CMA (S.D. Fla. 2017).
- Trial counsel for non-profit entity in corporate governance and control dispute over $100 million endowment fund.
Franchisee Disputes
- Represented pharmaceutical franchisees in federal court, arbitration and federal appellate proceedings relating to breach of franchise agreement claims and secured rulings allowing the franchisee to de-identify from the franchise brand prior to expiration of the franchise agreement.
- Represented multi-unit franchise operator in an emergent dispute with the franchisor after release of a viral video allegedly causing brand injury.
- Represented various QSR franchisees from single unit operators to 100+ unit operators in a variety of systems nationwide.
- Represented various national franchise associations
Noncompete and Trade Secret Cases
- Trial counsel for Olympusat, Inc. and Ocean Communications in eight-day jury trial based on breach of employment agreement and noncomplete claims.
- Trial counsel for 30+ key inventor defendants in a multidistrict litigation, spanning from Washington to Florida, which sought damages in excess of $20 million in a broad range of patent infringement, trademark infringement and unfair competition claims.
Lanham Act Litigation
- Represented national retail company in connection trademark infringement and unfair completion claims against competing business and secured partial summary judgement on liability. See Peterbrooke Franchising of Am., LLC v. Miami Chocolates, LLC, 312 F. Supp. 3d 1325, 1329 (S.D. Fla. 2018).
- Represented an international cosmetics brand in a pre-litigation trademark dispute with a well-known fashion and cosmetics company.
Insurance Coverage Disputes
- Represented national franchisor in insurance coverage litigation arising from commercial advertising injury coverage policy at the trial and appellate levels.
Honors & Recognition
Selected to the Florida Super Lawyers' Rising Stars list (2019-2024)
Recognized in edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2024)
Selected to Palm Beach Illustrated Top Lawyers' List (2023)
Credentials
Education
University of Miami School of Law
Nova Southeastern University
Admissions – Court
- Middle District of Florida
- Southern District of Florida
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit
Admissions – State
- Florida
Professional & Civic
Professional Activities
Palm Beach County Bar Association
- Committee Member, Civil Practice Committee (2023)
- Committee Member, Technology Committee (2022)
News & Insights
Events
Speaking Engagements
Digital Footprints: What’s Available and Discoverable in Collaborative Sources; Palm Beach County Bar Association, April 2022