Beatriz McConnell

Ms. McConnell has been practicing law in the Tampa Bay area since 2007. Throughout her practice, Bea has gained extensive trial experience and currently focuses her practice primarily on commercial litigation. She is a member of the Florida Bar and is admitted to practice before all Florida courts and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Bea was named partner in January of 2016, four years after joining Englander Fischer, and continues to zealously represent businesses as well as individuals in commercial disputes.

Non-Compete Provisions in Employment Agreements

Beatriz McConnell | June 15, 2017

Q: Are all non-compete provisions enforceable? A: No. Florida law only allows enforcement of written non-compete agreements that protect one or more legitimate business interests. A non-compete agreement that is not supported by a legitimate business interest is void and unenforceable. Legitimate business interests include: (1) trade secrets, (2) confidential business information, (3) substantial customer […]

Notice To Owner Exceptions Still Exist in Florida

Beatriz McConnell | June 9, 2017

Notice To Owner Exceptions Still Exist in Florida Under normal residential and commercial construction projects, subcontractors are not in direct privity with an owner. Thus, the subcontractor who wants to protect his or her lien rights files a Notice to Owner (“NTO”). The NTO must be filed before commencing work or within 45 days from […]

Non-Compete Provisions in Employment Agreements

Beatriz McConnell | April 17, 2017

Trademarks – Do They Need to Be Registered for Protection?

Beatriz McConnell | March 23, 2017

There are federal and state laws that protect registered trademarks, but being the first to register your mark does not mean that you are out of the woods. Unregistered marks are afforded common law rights and ultimately the determining factor to establish the true owner of a mark depends on who was the first to […]

Fees Are Not Always Recovered in Litigation

Beatriz McConnell | March 14, 2017

Q: If I prevail in a lawsuit, can I recover my attorneys’ fees? A: Not always. In order to recover attorneys’ fees, there must be either a contract or statute that provides for recovery of attorneys’ fees. If there is no contractual provision or statute related to your cause of action that provides for prevailing […]

What Happens if the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board is Disbanded?

Beatriz McConnell | March 8, 2017

What happens if the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board is disbanded? If you are a contractor or consumer in Pinellas County, you have probably felt the wrath (or lack thereof) of the Pinellas County Construction Licensing Board (PCCLB). The PCCLB is the only county licensing board of its kind in the state. It was enacted […]

An Unenforceable Indemnity Provision – Every Contractor’s Nightmare

Beatriz McConnell | August 31, 2015

We hear the same story from contractors when they are sued: “I have indemnity, so I am protected.” Unfortunately, contractors who believe they are protected are often shocked when their indemnity clauses do not hold up in court. Contractors must be wary when drafting their construction contracts so they can avoid the nightmare of defending […]

The Florida Bar Is Considering Making Admission of Out-of-State Attorneys Easier

Beatriz McConnell | August 4, 2015

By: Beatriz McConnell Eight years ago I was a fresh faced lawyer-to-be, preparing to sit for the Florida Bar exam so that I could: (1) become a grown up, (2) wear a suit and look like a grown up, and (3) make a closing argument like the ones you see in the movies that brings everyone […]

Englander Fischer Senior Partner & Attorney Partner Recognized as Florida Trend Legal Elite

Beatriz McConnell | June 29, 2015

Founding Partner Leonard S. Englander and Attorney Partner Sidney Werner Have Been Recognized as Legal Elite by Florida Trend ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (June 25, 2015) – Englander Fischer LLP congratulates senior partner, Lenny Englander, and attorney partner, Sidney Werner, on being named to the Florida Trend Legal Elite list for 2015. This is the 11th […]

Attorney Joseph W. Etter Joins Englander Fischer

Beatriz McConnell | May 1, 2015

ATTORNEY JOSEPH W. ETTER JOINS ENGLANDER FISCHER ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. (May 1, 2015) – The law firm of Englander Fischer LLP is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Joseph W. Etter IV to its litigation practice. Mr. Etter graduated cum laude from Stetson University College of Law in 2010 after receiving his B.S. from […]

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Beatriz McConnell