Courtney Lucke - Vernis & Bowling

Courtney Lucke, Esq.
Department Managing Attorney
Vernis & Bowling of the Gulf Coast, P.A. 2203 N. Lois Avenue Ste. 711 Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: (813) 712-1700
Email: CLucke@Florida-Law.com
Fax: (813) 712-1701
Website: www.national-law.com
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Verdicts and Dispositions

Woolery, Leroy v. Regions Bank
Courtney Lucke (Tampa, FL) (Premises Liability) obtained Summary Judgment for Regions Bank in Polk County, Florida. The Plaintiff tripped and fell over a curb attempting to enter the bank. Plaintiff filed an action asserting that Regions Bank was negligent in failing to maintain its parking lot and sidewalks in a safe condition. Although we admitted that Regions Bank owed a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and warn of known dangers, we argued that no duty was breached as the condition was open, obvious, and not inherently dangerous. We further argued that Plaintiff had actual knowledge of the condition given that he testified that he had been to the Bank “hundreds” of times before and utilized this same path and curb on many occasions. The Court agreed with our position and granted Summary Judgment in Defendant’s favor.
Joseph, Jo-Ann v. All Channel Enterprises, Inc., David Mazure, United Water Restoration Group, Inc., Tyler M. Gilman and USAA
Christopher Blain and Courtney Lucke (Tampa, FL) (Automobile Liability) obtained a favorable ruling in a court-ordered non-binding arbitration against the Plaintiff. The claim involved an automobile accident that took place in a parking lot. The Defendant was attempting to back out of a parking space when a collision took place with Plaintiff’s vehicle. Both parties provided different versions of what happened, pointing the finger at the other party at fault. Following the accident, Plaintiff complained of shoulder, back and neck pain that she received treatment for. At the arbitration, we argued that Plaintiff failed to meet her burden of proof that my client was at fault for causing the accident and that Plaintiff’s injuries were preexisting and not caused by the accident. After arguments were heard, the arbitrator came down with a ruling finding no liability against my clients and awarded nothing to the Plaintiff.
Kelley v. Sun Communities
Courtney Lucke and Christopher Blain (Tampa, FL) (Premises Liability) were successful in obtaining a Summary Judgment in the Middle District Federal Court in Florida on a Premises Liability matter. The Plaintiff tripped and fell over an uneven sidewalk joint while walking his dog in the community where he lived. Plaintiff filed this action asserting the owner, Sun Communities, was negligent for failing to maintain the sidewalk in a safe condition. Although we admitted that Defendant owed a duty to maintain its premises in a reasonably safe condition and warn of known dangers, we argued that no duty was breached as Plaintiff as the condition was open and obvious and therefore not dangerous and that Plaintiff had actual knowledge of the condition living in the community. We further argued that the incident itself was solely due to Plaintiff failing to watch where he was walking. As a result of the fall, Plaintiff suffered injuries to his knee that required surgery. The court agreed with our position and further noted that “the landowner is not required to foreclose all risk that the invitee (Plaintiff) will injure himself during an inattentive moment.” Sun Communities’ Motion for Summary Judgment was granted.
Savvas v. Wawa
Christopher Blain and Courtney Lucke (Tampa, FL) (Premises Liability) obtained a Directed Verdict before the Honorable Judge Byrd in Pasco County, Florida. This matter concerned an alleged slip and fall incident that took place at the WaWa store in New Port Richey, Florida. Plaintiff was claiming to have suffered a number of medical conditions as a result of the fall including neck, low back, and knee pain. Furthered, Plaintiff was claiming to have struck his head as a result of the fall resulting in him suffering ringing in his ear. At trial, Plaintiff argued that WaWa caused a dangerous condition, specifically the floor near the entrance was slippery that resulted in his fall. It was our position that WaWa maintained their store reasonably, including having wet floor cones out warning customers of a possible wet floor. After Plaintiff presented his case, we moved for Directed Verdict on the ground that Plaintiff failed to establish a prima facie case that WaWa was negligent and failed to maintain their store reasonably thereby not meeting his liability burden and also argued that Plaintiff failed to establish damages as related to the subject incident. After arguments, the court granted our Directed Verdict.
Tonya Oliver v. Foxwood at Trinity Community Association
Christopher Blain and Courtney Lucke (Tampa, FL) (Fair Housing) obtained Summary Judgment in a HOA claim. The Plaintiffs alleged that the Association failed to provide them with a reasonable accommodation under the Fair Housing Act for a child’s disability by not allowing the installation of a handicapped child street sign and by not allowing Plaintiffs to install a fence in their backyard to train the disabled child’s service dog. They also alleged retaliation under the FHA due to a number of deed restriction violation correspondences the Association sent to the Plaintiffs following their alleged requests for accommodations along with the Plaintiffs’ request for Association records that allegedly went unanswered. It was our position that Plaintiffs’ claims were barred by the Statute of Limitations as well as the fact that Plaintiff’s alleged requests were requests for modifications under the FHA rather than requests for accommodations. With regards to the retaliation claim, it was our position that Plaintiff failed to establish a causal link between the alleged accommodation requests and deed violations/records requests. The matter was filed in Federal Court in the Middle District of Florida. Courtney Lucke prepared and filed the Motion for Summary Judgment which was entered in our favor on all counts. The court dismissed Plaintiffs’ pendant state claim due to the fact that all federal issues were resolved through the Summary Judgment.

Areas Of Practice

Automobile Liability (PIP/PD/BI/UM)
Director & Officer Liability (D&O)
General Civil Litigation
Labor and Employment Law
PIP/Personal Injury Protection Litigation

Bar & Court Admission

Florida Bar

Education

Graduate:
University of Florida Levin College of Law, J.D.Honors: Cum Laude, The Florida Bar Labor and Employment Law Section, 2013-2014 Outstanding Labor and Employment Law Student Labor Law, Book Award Civil Clinics-Family Advocacy Clinic, Book Award
Undergraduate: University of Florida, B.S. in Business Management Honors: Cum Laude

Courtney Lucke was born in Atlanta, Georgia and later moved to the Tampa Bay, Florida, area right before high school. Courtney graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management. While at UF, Courtney was heavily involved in the Business School, Greek Community, and the March of Dimes organization.

Upon graduating from UF, Courtney attended the University of Florida Levin College of Law where she earned her Juris Doctorate. While in law school, she was an active member of the John Marshall Bar Association and the Student Recruitment Team, as well as a Teaching Assistant for Legal Research and Writing and Appellate Advocacy. She also served as a Certified Legal Intern with the Virgil D. Hawkins Civil Clinics where she gained valuable experience representing clients in family law proceedings.

Courtney was admitted to the Florida Bar and joined the firm as an Associate Attorney in 2014. Her outside interests include: running, traveling, reading, and Gator athletic events.

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