October 2025 – SHB Newsletter

Smith Hulsey & Busey served as seller’s counsel in the June 24 sale of two Northeast Florida Mazda dealerships to the state’s largest dealership group, No. 8-ranked on the 2025 Automotive News Top 150 Dealership Groups list. According to Haig Partners, the sale of Hodges Mazda of the Avenues set a record blue-sky value, the highest ever paid for a Mazda dealership.

Working with Haig Partners, Smith Hulsey guided brothers David and Dan Hodges in their sale of Hodges Mazda of St. Augustine and Hodges Mazda of the Avenues to Morgan Automotive Group. The sales included the dealerships’ 8.06-acre St. Augustine property, 5.54-acre Jacksonville property, and a 5.5-acre baseball complex located behind the Jacksonville dealership.

Smith Hulsey & Busey recently assisted the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in securing sanctions against some of professional tennis’s most notorious match-fixers.

The enforcement actions stemmed from “Operation Belgium,” a four-year international police investigation that revealed a widespread match-fixing network. Working with investigators and independent hearing officers, ITIA prosecuted cases pursuant to the ITIA’s Tennis Anti-Corruption Code to hold offenders accountable and safeguard the integrity of the sport.

Most recently, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, upheld the ITIA’s seven-year ban and $30,000 fine against Argentine player Sofía Luini. SHB’s Sports Litigation and Counseling group represented the ITIA in proving the charges before an Independent Hearing Officer and defending the resulting sanctions before CAS.

At last month’s Florida Society for Healthcare Risk Management and Patient Safety (FSHRMPS) annual conference, SHB shareholder Earl Googe presented two sessions on legislative updates and tort reform.

Googe discussed HB 6017, a proposed bill that would have expanded who can recover non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases. He walked attendees through the bill’s strong support in the legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ subsequent veto and the likelihood of renewed efforts.

Googe stressed the importance of engaging early in the policy conversation, as any change to the Wrongful Death Act could significantly impact hospitals and risk managers, affecting claim exposure, insurance costs and physician retention.

SHB shareholder Jeanne Helton was a featured speaker for the Duval County Medical Society’s Empowering Employed Physicians webinar on Aug. 19.

Her session, “Doctors on Defense: What Puts a Physician’s License on the Line?”, addressed the most common factors that can trigger Department of Health investigations, including substance abuse, mental health challenges and disruptive behavior. Jeanne shared practical steps employers can take to reduce risk and ensure compliance with licensing and supervision requirements.

The program featured insights from other leading health law practitioners and concluded with a panel discussion and Q&A session.

Smith Hulsey & Busey has welcomed Carli Frederick, Colton Teal and William Templin to the firm. Carli and Colton join the Litigation Practice Group, while Will joins the Healthcare Practice Group.

“Their experience and academic achievements will further enhance our substantial litigation, bankruptcy and healthcare practice teams,” SHB chairman Steve Busey said.