Temple Fett Kearns

Experience

With experience as a former tax accountant, Ms. Kearns helps companies weigh the business, financial and legal risks of their disputes. Since joining the firm in 2000, she has helped companies in general commercial litigation and real estate-related cases, while also working on collection and post-judgment recovery. Ms. Kearns has also represented companies and individuals through the often-complex appellate process, both in state and federal appeals courts. Her knowledge of tax issues is helping her build a tax litigation practice as well.

Background

Ms. Kearns worked as a tax professional before embarking on her legal career and has since earned a graduate degree in taxation. She received her J.D., with honors, from Nova Southeastern University, Shepard Broad Law Center.

While at Nova Southeastern, Ms. Kearns served as the Lead Articles Editor for the Nova Law Review. She also served on the Executive Boards for the Nova chapters of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and the National Association of Public Interest Lawyers. In addition, Ms. Kearns authored "Breaking the Shackles of the Past: The Role and Future of State Sovereignty in Today's International Human Rights Arena," 25 Nova L. Rev. 501 (2001).

In the community, Ms. Kearns volunteers her time each tax season to prepare income tax returns for those in need through the IRS' Voluntary Income Tax Assistance program. Ms. Kearns is also on the Board of Directors for the Broward County Women Lawyers’ Association.

Representative Cases

• In Dames v. 926 Company, Inc., the appellate court reversed the trial judge’s misapplication of eminent domain law. Because of this, the firm’s client was able to recover a portion of the condemnation award paid by the State.
• Asper v. Maxy Aviation Services, L.C. involved a sanction judgment in favor of the client for the defendant's repeated abuses of court orders and its authority.
• In the appellate case DiPompeo Construction Corp. v. Kimmel & Associates, Inc., Ms. Kearns helped litigate to a successful verdict. The appellate court found in favor of the client, allowing them to recover their litigation expenses—an award that was previously denied by the trial court.
• In S & J Enterprises of Ft. Lauderdale, Inc. v. Archer-Edwards Corp., she helped to have the trial court's vacation of an arbitration award reversed. This reinstated the arbitrator's decision in favor of the client.
• In Golf Scoring Systems Unlimited, Inc. v. Remedio, she helped to have the trial court's denial of a change of venue reversed. The trial judge, although originally denying the motion, offered a compliment by noting in the order that the motion was well written and reasoned.