Henderson Franklin Attorneys Corso and Olivo Discuss Legal Malpractice Risk at Annual Florida Liability Claims Conference

Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt, P.A. is pleased to announce that stockholders Michael Corso and Geraldo (Jerry) Olivo presented a continuing legal education (CLE) session at the 2025 Florida Liability Claims Conference, hosted by the Florida Defense Lawyers Association.

Their presentation, “Understanding and Avoiding Legal Malpractice: Trends, Pitfalls and Practical Guidance,” offered attendees a data-driven, real-world view into the most common and costly malpractice traps faced by today’s defense lawyers. Drawing on the latest ABA Professional Liability Studies and real-world case scenarios, Corso and Olivo broke down emerging malpractice trends across various practice areas, types of errors, and firm sizes. Corso shares,

“We wanted to bring attention to the shifting landscape of legal malpractice. From the rise in claims involving estate and trust matters, patent law, and personal injury defense to the resurgence of administrative errors and misfiled documents, the data is clear: more than 55% of claims now arise from firms with five or fewer attorneys. No firm is immune, and awareness is the first step toward prevention.”

Corso is Florida Bar Board Certified in both Civil Trial and Business Litigation and holds national board certification in Civil Trial Law. He is widely known for his work defending non-medical professionals and for his leadership in evolving legal issues, including drone regulation and professional liability. In recognition of his contributions, Corso has received the Chubby Damsel Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, has been named a Naples Illustrated ‘Top Lawyer’ for seven consecutive years, and a Florida ‘Super Lawyer’ for nearly twenty years. He earned his B.S. in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from Purdue University and his J.D. from Villanova University. Corso may be reached at 239-344-1170 or via email at michael.corso@henlaw.com.

Olivo, a former prosecutor with over 80 trials under his belt, offered a grounded, trial-tested perspective on how communication failures, missed deadlines, and client relation missteps are increasingly at the heart of malpractice claims. He also brings a wealth of mediation insight as a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit, County, and Family Law Mediator. Beyond the courtroom, Olivo remains active in the community through his service with the United Way and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools’ Golden Apple Selection Committee. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Florida and his law degree from Marquette University Law School. He may be reached at jerry.olivo@henlaw.com or 239-344-1168.