Suzanne Labrit has over 20 years of experience and focuses on litigation, arbitration and appeals for clients in various sectors, primarily financial services, healthcare and entertainment. She is a partner in the Litigation Department and is based in the firm's Tampa office.
Ms. Labrit has tried many complex jury and bench trials, including several class action suits. She also has handled numerous arbitrations and has substantial appellate experience.
Commercial Litigation/Class Actions
Ms. Labrit counsels clients on issues that affect their ability to operate and compete fairly. She handles a wide range of litigation, including contract disputes, whistleblower/false claims cases, intellectual property, unfair competition and trade secret matters, and enforcement/defense of restrictive covenants. She also has extensive and diverse appellate experience, which includes arguments in the Florida Supreme Court, the Eleventh Circuit and all the district courts of appeal in the State of Florida.
Participating in the statewide defense of thousands of diet drug litigation cases is only one example of her complex litigation experience. She is well versed in all aspects of class certification and merits determinations in state and federal courts. She is currently defending several putative class actions involving consumer-based claims in the insurance and finance industries.
Healthcare Litigation
Ms. Labrit has served as national litigation coordinating counsel for a major pharmacy company and has extensive experience in other healthcare sectors. She represents clients in internal investigations, mediations, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, trials and appeals. She also handles temporary restraining orders and injunctions to enforce/defend restrictive covenants and protect trade secrets.
Healthcare law is central to Ms. Labrit’s practice. Her work in this field includes several years as a partner in the Miami office of McDermott, Will & Emery. A Shutts & Bowen partner since 2003, she counsels clients with disputes that arise over contract negotiation, termination, payment, peer review, credentialing and other legal issues. Clients include physicians, group practices, practice managers, hospitals, diagnostic facilities and payors.
Entertainment Litigation
Entertainment-related litigation is another area of focus for Ms. Labrit. She represents publishers, motion picture companies and recording studios in enforcing and defending their copyrights, trademarks, licenses and other intellectual property. She also represents entertainment clients in contractual and unfair competition disputes throughout Florida.
Education
- Nova Law Center, J.D., 1987
- University of Florida, B.A., English Literature, 1981
Bar Admissions
- The Florida Bar
- The Tennessee Bar
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court for the Southern and Middle Districts
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Affiliations
- American Health Lawyers Association
Practice areas
Industries
