Andrew Paul Kawel, Esq.

Crisp. Cogent. Credible.℠

Kawel PLLC is a boutique appellate litigation firm in Miami, Florida.

We believe that courts should develop the law in a way that not only compensates the aggrieved but also makes our society more just, equitable, and pleasant to live in — for everyone.

We accept fewer cases than other firms to devote more attention to each client’s needs. And we believe that the quality of our work reflects that choice.

We accept both civil and criminal appeals, as well as a limited number of trial and litigation matters, in both state and federal courts.

When your case calls for calm strength and creative solutions, contact us at apkawel@kawellaw.com.

Testimonial

“It is with great pleasure and gratitude that I have this opportunity to comment on Andy Kawel’s appellate and trial support skills. Over the years, Andy and I have worked together on a number of appeals. Simply put, Andy is a brilliant practitioner with excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate his position in a clear and concise manner. Andy’s ability to digest complex issues and devise a methodical and well reasoned approach is outstanding. Handling appeals and/or trial support matters should be left to those who have honed their skills in these complex areas of law. Andy Kawel is one of the best and I strongly recommend his services unequivocally and without hesitation.”
— Scott Leeds, Esq. (The Cochran Firm)

A Few Noteworthy Matters

  • Khatabi v. Car Auto Holdings, LLC (11th Cir. 2026) (post-judgment litigation and appeal in sex-discrimination case; held, as an issue of first impression nationwide, that Title VII’s statutory caps on damages are a waivable affirmative defense that defendant corporations have the burden to prove during trial and generally require a special jury finding on the issue of numerosity).

  • Union Telecom, LLC v. United States (Fed. Cir. 2021) (appeal in approx. $30 million tax-refund claim for esoteric federal excise tax on telecommunications services provided by prepaid telephone cards).

  • Elo et al. v. Liberty Leasing, LLC (Fla. 3d DCA 2021) (successful appeal of sanctions imposed against individual and corporate clients resulted in opponent’s confession of error, complete reversal of sanctions order, and zero liability for clients).

  • Cruz et al. v. North Shore Medical Center, Inc. (Fla. 3d DCA 2021) (appeal in multimillion-dollar claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence for the improper disposal of fetal remains destined for cremation).

  • United States v. Díaz–Barrera (11th Cir. 2021) (consulted in sentencing appeal; client obtained vacatur of district court's order and a remand for new sentencing).

  • Metro Plus Props., LLC v. Maung et al. (Fla. 11th Jud. Cir. 2019) (successful motion to alter judgment halved the liability of client who had been represented by other trial counsel); Maung et al. v. Metro Plus Props., LLC (Fla. 3d DCA 2019) (further appeal forced opposing party to settle case for an additional substantial reduction of the judgment amount).

  • R&F Devs., LLC v. Centro Internacional Sion, Asambleas De Dios (Fla. 11th Jud. Cir. 2016; Fla. 3d DCA 2017) (successfully defended church at trial in which plaintiffs attempted to divest it of parcel worth more than $10 million; successfully defended against appeal of that judgment).

  • Merchant v. State of Florida, 201 So. 3d 146 (Fla. 3d DCA 2016) (reversing conviction for first-degree murder and vacating life sentence on double-jeopardy grounds).

  • Sepúlveda v. Westport Recovery Corp., 145 So. 3d 162 (Fla. 3d DCA 2014) (granting petition for second-tier certiorari).

  • JAWHBS, LLC v. Arevalo, (S.D. Fla. 2016) (successful defense of federal litigation involving a multimillion-dollar claim over properties related to the Brickell CityCentre project).

  • Southern Title Insurance Corp. v. Wells Fargo Bank, NA (S.D. Fla. 2016; 11th Cir. 2017) (successful resolution of federal claims involving approximately $1.8 million in bad checks and wire transfers).

  • Represented the Government of the Republic of Nicaragua in defeating a multimillion-dollar federal claim on sovereign-immunity grounds.

  • Represented Florida Justice Association as amicus curiæ in support of a multimillion-dollar verdict.

  • Represented National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers as amicus curiæ in a bellwether confidential-informant case, helping to vacate the drug conviction and obtain a new trial.

  • Helped several criminal defendants obtain below-guidelines or bottom-of-guidelines sentences in United States district courts.

  • Helped several criminal defendants obtain not-guilty verdicts in cases charging first-degree murder in Florida state courts.

Past results are not necessarily indicative of future success. The strength and outcome of each case depend on its facts, the applicable law, and other, uncontrollable factors.