Raúl Chacón Jr. is board-certified in Admiralty and Maritime law by the Florida Bar. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict throughout his career and is hired by clients to represent their interests in matters and litigation throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Raúl is part of a team of experienced trial lawyers representing clients facing litigation in various areas, including maritime law, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, restaurant franchisor/franchisee litigation, and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience as national and local counsel for various insurers and corporate entities, including the largest U.S. boat manufacturer. He handles litigation in general liability, maritime law, transportation, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) administrative proceedings, and various recreational industry–related matters. He is regularly appointed to act as national and local counsel by insurance companies in admiralty and maritime matters, including coverage, as well as in products and general liability matters.

Raúl has been published, including as a co-author of Florida Maritime Law Practice and Procedure, and has presented on various topics, including maritime law and practice, handling maritime claims in the United States, management of maintenance and cure, risk-shifting in maritime contracts, product liability, and analysis of U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Raúl provides client personnel with skilled legal representation in various areas of maritime law, product liability, general liability, and as outside general counsel.

    Education

    • University of Miami School of Law (J.D., 1993)
    • University of Miami College of Engineering (B.S.E.E., 1990)

    Bar Admissions

    • Florida

    Court Admissions

    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Florida

    Professional Affiliations

    • Florida Bar Association
    • Adjunct Professor of Marine Insurance Law, University of Miami School of Law
    • Board of Directors, University of Miami College of Engineering Alumni Association, 2020–2023
    • Fort Lauderdale Mariners Club, 1997–Present; Skipper, 2023.
    • The Maritime Law Association of the United States (MLA), 2015–Present
    • Maritime Law Committee, Florida Defense Lawyers Association, Chair, 2011–2013
    • Admiralty Law Committee, Florida Bar, 2007–Present; Vice Chair, 2014–2016
    • Admiralty & Maritime Law Board Certification Committee, Florida Bar, 2013–Present; Chair, 2016
    • Boating Industry Risk Management Council, NMMA, Council Member, 2013–Present
    • Board of Directors, Boat Political Action Committee, 2015–2024
    • National Marine Manufacturers Association, 2012–Present
    • American Boat and Yacht Council, 2010–Present
    • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, 1988–Present
    • Southeastern Admiralty Law Institute, 1999–Present
    • Cuban American Bar Association Vice President, 2010–2012; Board of Directors, 2005–2012; Member, 1997–Present
    • League of Prosecutors President, 2010; Vice President, 2003–2009; Treasurer, 2014–2023; Board of Directors, 2003–2023; Member, 1997–Present

    Awards & Honors

    • Selected for inclusion in The Legal 500 United States in Shipping Litigation & Regulation Tier 3, 2025
    • Top Lawyers, Admiralty and Maritime Law, South Florida Legal Guide, 2012–2018
    • Best Lawyers In America, Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Litigation, 2019–2024
    • Board Certified Admiralty & Maritime Law, 2012; Recertification in 2017, 2022
    • American Boat & Yacht Council, Standards Certification, 2010
    • Thomson Reuters, Florida Super Lawyers, 2013, 2015–2024
    • Rated AV® Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell
    • Top Attorneys in Florida, Wall Street Journal & Miami Magazine, 2013–Present
    • De Los Más Destacados Abogados, Almirantazgo y Marìtimo, Revista Abogados
    • Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
    • Selected for inclusion in Florida Super Lawyers®, 2025
    • Florida Bar Admiralty & Maritime Law Board Certification Committee, Vice Chair, 2026-2027

Raúl J. Chacón Jr.

Raúl Chacón Jr. is board-certified in Admiralty and Maritime law by the Florida Bar. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict throughout his career and is hired by clients to represent their interests in matters and litigation throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Raúl is part of a team of experienced trial lawyers representing clients facing litigation in various areas, including maritime law, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, restaurant franchisor/franchisee litigation, and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience as national and local counsel for various insurers and corporate entities, including the largest U.S. boat manufacturer. He handles litigation in general liability, maritime law, transportation, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) administrative proceedings, and various recreational industry–related matters. He is regularly appointed to act as national and local counsel by insurance companies in admiralty and maritime matters, including coverage, as well as in products and general liability matters.

Raúl has been published, including as a co-author of Florida Maritime Law Practice and Procedure, and has presented on various topics, including maritime law and practice, handling maritime claims in the United States, management of maintenance and cure, risk-shifting in maritime contracts, product liability, and analysis of U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Raúl provides client personnel with skilled legal representation in various areas of maritime law, product liability, general liability, and as outside general counsel.

Events

Raúl Chacón Jr. is board-certified in Admiralty and Maritime law by the Florida Bar. He has tried over 100 cases to verdict throughout his career and is hired by clients to represent their interests in matters and litigation throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Raúl is part of a team of experienced trial lawyers representing clients facing litigation in various areas, including maritime law, personal injury, product liability, premises liability, restaurant franchisor/franchisee litigation, and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience as national and local counsel for various insurers and corporate entities, including the largest U.S. boat manufacturer. He handles litigation in general liability, maritime law, transportation, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) administrative proceedings, and various recreational industry–related matters. He is regularly appointed to act as national and local counsel by insurance companies in admiralty and maritime matters, including coverage, as well as in products and general liability matters.

Raúl has been published, including as a co-author of Florida Maritime Law Practice and Procedure, and has presented on various topics, including maritime law and practice, handling maritime claims in the United States, management of maintenance and cure, risk-shifting in maritime contracts, product liability, and analysis of U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Raúl provides client personnel with skilled legal representation in various areas of maritime law, product liability, general liability, and as outside general counsel.

Raúl J. Chacón Jr.

Attorney Articles

Latin Lawyer Publishes Miami Latin America Team on Jurisdictional Disputes

November 5, 2024 - Latin Lawyer

Raúl J. Chacón Jr.

Pfeifer, Chacon & Ledlova Secure Final Summary Judgment for National Retail Client

Miami, Florida, partners Russell M. Pfeifer and Raul J. Chacon and associate Monika Ledlova secured final summary judgment in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court on behalf of a national retail client in a premises liability action. The plaintiff alleged she suffered injuries including a traumatic brain injury when a 25-pound metal price sign fell from the top of a large metal safe inside the store. Monika Ledlova argued the motion, successfully demonstrating that surveillance video clearly showed the plaintiff shaking the metal safe immediately before causing the sign to fall off and strike her in her head, thereby causing her own injuries. The team argued that the metal sign was open and obvious, and that no dangerous or concealed condition existed on the premises. The court agreed, granting summary judgment in favor of our client and finding no breach of duty under Florida law. This decisive win underscores the team’s strategic use of video evidence and persuasive advocacy in defeating unsupported premises liability claims. The victory also positions our client to recover attorneys’ fees and taxable costs under applicable Florida statutes, further solidifying a complete defense outcome.

Russell M. Pfeifer, Raúl J. Chacón Jr. and Monika Ledlova

Miami Team Secures Appellate Victory Following Successful Summary Judgment

Miami, Florida, partners Raúl J. Chacón Jr. and Russell M. Pfeifer and associate Monika Ledlova secured an appellate victory in the Third District Court of Appeal with a written opinion affirming summary judgment they obtained in Miami-Dade County Circuit Court in a case involving a national retail client. The plaintiff filed a negligence lawsuit after tripping over a wooden display pallet at our client’s retail store. The trial court granted summary judgment based on the open and obvious doctrine, after the Miami team argued there were no hazardous conditions present on the premises and that the plaintiff’s fall resulted from her own lack of attention. Surveillance video of the incident played a pivotal role in supporting the team’s argument, showing the plaintiff’s failure to follow the designated pathway, and subsequently tripping over a wooden pallet on her second visit to the store the same day. The trial court ruled in favor of our client, granting summary judgment, and following a request for rehearing by the plaintiff reaffirmed its decision. The plaintiff appealed to the Third District Court of Appeal, which affirmed the summary judgment citing case law referenced in our answer brief. This win serves as a crucial precedent, strengthening the defense position for property owners and retailers statewide and opens the plaintiff to the recovery of taxable costs.

Raúl J. Chacón Jr., Russell M. Pfeifer and Monika Ledlova

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