O'Connor, Haftel & Angell, PLLC - Orlando, FL

Century of Trial-Tested Civil Defense and Appellate Litigation in Florida

When businesses, public institutions, or licensed professionals face high-stakes civil litigation, experienced and decisive courtroom advocacy is essential to safeguard financial assets and organizational reputation. Headquartered in downtown Orlando, Florida, O'Connor, Haftel and Angell, PLLC has established an enduring legacy of excellence in complex civil defense and appellate practice. With an institutional heritage dating back to the 1920s, the firm is 100% devoted to litigation, managing intricate legal disputes from pre-suit investigation through trial verdicts and state and federal appeals.

The firm is led by accomplished trial litigators, including Dennis R. O'Connor, Derek J. Angell, and Matthew J. Haftel. Foundational litigators at the firm hold Florida Bar Board Certification in Civil Trial, representing an elite distinction achieved by fewer than two percent of eligible attorneys across Florida. If your organization needs to hire an Orlando business litigation lawyer or retain seasoned defense counsel for government liability, O'Connor, Haftel and Angell provides sophisticated case preparation and unmatched courtroom trial readiness.

Comprehensive Civil Defense and Commercial Litigation Practice Areas

The firm delivers rigorous defense representation tailored to commercial enterprises, municipalities, and insurance providers across a broad spectrum of legal matters:

• Commercial and business litigation: Defending corporations, financial entities, and developers against claims involving breach of contract, shareholder disputes, trade secret misappropriation, unfair trade practices, and complex commercial real estate conflicts.
• General liability and casualty defense: Protecting insureds and corporate self-insured entities against premises liability, catastrophic car accident claims, commercial truck collisions, and complex wrongful death lawsuits throughout Florida state and federal jurisdictions.
• Government and municipal liability: Representing city governments, county authorities, school districts, and public utilities in civil rights actions, constitutional claims, and public agency tort defense.
• Construction litigation: Defending general contractors, design professionals, and developers against multi-party construction defect claims, architectural design disputes, and project delay damage claims.
• Professional malpractice defense: Safeguarding the licenses and livelihoods of healthcare practitioners, attorneys, engineers, and corporate executives facing allegations of professional negligence.
• Appellate practice: Handling complex civil appeals before Florida District Courts of Appeal, the Supreme Court of Florida, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, successfully preserving trial victories and overturning adverse judgments.

Recognized Legal Authority and Strategic Client Partnership

Attorneys at O'Connor, Haftel and Angell have earned premier peer recognition, including AV Preeminent ratings by Martindale-Hubbell, selection to Florida Super Lawyers, and Central Florida Chapter ABOTA Defense Trial Lawyer of the Year honors. The firm maintains long-term partnerships with prominent institutions, including the University of Central Florida, Orange County, and major national insurance carriers, delivering disciplined defense management that reduces exposure while achieving decisive legal results.

Consult with Seasoned Orlando Defense Litigators

Whether confronting imminent commercial arbitration, multi-million dollar tort litigation, or appellate review, proactive defense is critical to controlling outcomes. Contact O'Connor, Haftel and Angell, PLLC at their Orlando office today to discuss your organization's legal defense needs with experienced civil litigators.