Ricardo M. Luces is a partner in the Miami office of Roig Lawyers and Co-Chair of our Bodily Injury and Liability team division.
Ricardo is a distinguished civil litigator with 30 years of experience and a track record of over 45 civil jury trials successfully brought to verdict in circuit court. His practice centers on insurance defense, where he excels in handling a wide array of matters, including bodily injury claims, uninsured motorist disputes, premises liability cases, and first-party property insurance breach of contract claims. Ricardo is well-versed in resolving intricate disputes involving coverage denials, scope and pricing disagreements, and assignment of benefits for mitigation companies. His work also extends to supporting special investigation units (SIUs) by securing critical Examination Under Oath (EUO) testimony for claims facing heightened scrutiny or operating under Reservation of Rights.
Ricardo’s trial experience is both vast and multifaceted, encompassing high-stakes civil and criminal litigation. In civil matters, he has adeptly tackled complex evidentiary challenges, crafted persuasive arguments for juries, and conducted rigorous cross-examinations of expert witnesses in cases ranging from multimillion-dollar insurance disputes to contentious premises liability claims. His talent for simplifying technical and legal concepts ensures juries understand the core issues, often resulting in favorable outcomes for his clients.
Beyond litigation, Ricardo’s extensive pre-trial experience includes conducting expert witness depositions, crafting winning arguments for substantive motions, such as Motions for Summary Judgment and Motions to Dismiss for Fraud Upon the Court, and serving as lead counsel in complex jury trials. His ability to manage cases efficiently from inception through resolution has made him a trusted advisor for clients seeking strategic defense in challenging cases.
Ricardo’s career path demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence in trial advocacy. Before joining the firm, he served as Managing Attorney for the in-house counsel office of a national insurance company, overseeing a diverse portfolio of litigation and trial matters. This role provided him with a unique understanding of insurers’ operational and strategic priorities. Earlier, as an Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office, Ricardo honed his trial acumen by prosecuting serious felony cases. During this time, he handled over 25 jury trials and 50 bench trials, gaining invaluable experience in courtroom strategy, evidence presentation, and legal advocacy.
This robust foundation has positioned Ricardo as a preeminent litigator capable of navigating the most complex and high-stakes disputes, offering clients a blend of legal acumen, trial prowess, and a keen understanding of the insurance industry’s nuances.
Experience
- Obtained a Defense Verdict in a First Party Property case in Orlando, Florida wherein Defendant had afforded coverage, but the Plaintiff was seeking damages involving scope and pricing.
- Obtained a Defense Verdict in a First Party Property case in Fort Lauderdale, Florida wherein the Plaintiff was alleged that the insurance carrier had breached the insurance policy. At trial, the jury agreed with the Defendant that the insurance carrier had not breached the insurance policy but rather, Plaintiff was the party that breached the insurance policy by failing to comply with her duties after loss.
- Obtained a Defense Verdict in Miami, Florida in a Personal Injury Protection case wherein Plaintiff was seeking payment for diagnostic studies that had been reduced by the insurance carrier pursuant to fee schedule.
- Won a defense verdict in an Uninsured Motorist case in Broward County Circuit Court where the Plaintiff had undergone cervical disc surgery following his auto accident. The past medical bills exceeded the amount of the Plaintiff’s policy limits.
- Won a defense verdict in a bodily injury case in Broward County involving a motorcycle accident. Plaintiff claimed he had suffered a permanent injury to his ankle because of the subject accident.
- Obtained a defense verdict in Sarasota Circuit Court in a bodily injury case wherein the Plaintiff was a nurse and claimed permanent injuries to her neck, shoulder and low back.
- Obtained a defense verdict in a bodily injury case in Miami Dade County circuit court wherein the Plaintiff had undergone a double lumbar fusion following a car accident with extensive property damage.
- Effectively cross-examined Plaintiff’s accident reconstruction expert in a serious bodily injury jury trial in Miami Dade County involving 2 Plaintiffs and obtained a defense verdict in Circuit Court.
- Argued and won a Daubert Motion evidentiary hearing resulting in the exclusion of Plaintiff’s expert from testifying at trial in Miami, Florida.
- Argued and won a Motion to Dismiss for Fraud Upon the Court following an evidentiary hearing in Miami Florida wherein the court found that Plaintiff committed fraud and dismissed Plaintiff’s case with prejudice.
- Obtained a settlement on behalf of a national insurance carrier in a Bodily Injury case wherein the Plaintiff suffered injuries to his neck that resulted in a cervical discogram and cervical discectomy. After effectively deposing the Plaintiff and investigating the Plaintiff through discovery, the Plaintiff’s demand of $100,000.00 was rejected and the case settled at mediation for $2,000 over the Defendant’s Proposal for Settlement amount of $10,000.
Awards & Rankings
- South Florida Legal Guide: “Top Lawyer” 2019
Memberships
- The Florida Bar, Member
- Claims and Litigation Management Alliance, Member
- Member of IASIU, the International Association of Special Investigation Units
- Member of FDLA, Florida Defense Lawyers Association
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, ”Jury Trial Live,”FIFEC conference 2023
- Speaker, “Game of Drones”, FLCC conference 2023
- Speaker, “It wasn’t me! Who was truly at fault? Accident Reconstruction Evidence provides Juries the answer”, FIFEC conference 2022
- Speaker, “Neck, Back, Shoulders & Knees, are these true injuries”, FIFEC 2021
- Speaker, “Evidence: The Building Blocks to a Successful Jury Trial,” FDLA & DRI Webinar Series, April 2020
- Speaker, “Game of Drones – An In-Depth Look at How Drones Will Fundamentally Change the Insurance Industry” – Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention Seminar, March 2020
- Speaker, “Game of Drones – An In-Depth Look at How Drones Will Fundamentally Change the Insurance Industry” IASIU S. Florida Chapter “Fire for Hire” – Fraud Awareness Symposium Training, October 2019
- Speaker, “The Best Interest of the Insured – When Public Adjusters Go Too Far,” Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee Conference, June 2019
- Speaker, “Evidence: The Building Blocks to a Successful Jury Trial,” FDLA – Florida Liability Claims Conference, June 2019
- Speaker, “Evidence: The Building Blocks to a Successful Jury Trial,” FDLA – Florida Liability Claims Conference, June 2019
- Speaker, “Using Social Media In Fire Investigations,” Florida Advisory Committee on Arson Prevention Seminar, March 2019
- Speaker, “Evidence: The Building Blocks to a Successful Jury Trial,” December 2018
- Speaker, “When Adjusting Goes Too Far,” Roig Lawyers Continuing Education Webinar Series, July 2018
- Speaker, “Liability Law Update,” CEU Institute, June 2018
- Speaker, “The Best Interest of the Insured – When Adjusting Goes Too Far,” 2018 Florida Liability Claims Conference, June 2018
- Speaker, “Using Social Media to Investigate and Defend Claims,” 2018 Florida Insurance Fraud Education Committee Conference, June 2018
- Speaker, “Using Social Media to Investigate and Defend Claims,” Roig Lawyers Continuing Education Webinar Series, October 2017
Community Involvement
- Nova Southeastern University Law School Moot Court Competitions, Judge
- Miami Dolphins, AARP Foundation One Million Meals Project, Volunteer
- We The People Miami Dade County High School Mock Trial Competition, Judge 2016, 2017, 2018
Admitted to Practice
- Florida, 1994
- United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida