R.J. Haughey
Shareholder
Attorney Overview
R.J. Haughey’s practice concentrates in both prosecution and defense of commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including cases involving commercial lending, franchising, construction and lien/bond disputes, employment law, including restrictive covenants and trade secret litigation, contracts, commercial landlord/tenant actions, commercial collections, creditor’s rights matters in and out of bankruptcy, litigation involving commercial equipment and equipment manufacturers, distributors and dealers, business and owner disputes, real estate transactions and litigation, as well as general civil matters. He is admitted to practice in all Florida State Courts and the United States District Court for the Middle, Northern and Southern Districts of Florida and all Florida Bankruptcy Courts. He is a licensed title agent for Attorneys Title Insurance Fund.
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Construction and Real Estate
Creditors’ Rights and Commercial Collections
Lenders’ Rights
Bankruptcy Rights and Litigation
Franchise and Dealer Litigation
Honors and Awards
- AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- In 2022, inducted to the Florida Trend Magazine Legal Elite Hall of Fame, then comprised of less than 170 attorneys in the history of the Florida Bar.
- Recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as among the less than 5 percent of Florida lawyers in practice 10 years or less included among the Florida Legal Elite “Up and Comers” in 2005, 2006 and 2007
- Recognized by Florida Trend Magazine as among the less than 5 percent of Florida lawyers included among Florida’s Legal Elite in commercial litigation in 2008 – Present
- Recognized as a Florida Super Lawyer in 2009 – Present
- Hillsborough County’s Most Outstanding Young Lawyer Award Recipient in 2007
Education
- J.D., Florida State University, magna cum laude, 1997
- B.A., Miami University, 1993
Professional and Civic Activities
- The Florida Bar
- Chair, Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, 2016-2017
- Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, 2013-2017
- Florida Bar Board of Governors, 2008-2010
- Disciplinary Review Committee, 2008-2009
- Long Range Planning Committee, 2008-2010
- Commission on Professionalism, 2008-2010
- Standing Committee on Pro Bono, 2008-2010
- President Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, 2009-2010
- President-Elect Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division, 2008-2009
- Florida Bar Board of Governors, Young Lawyers Division (elected representative of the 13th Judicial Circuit), 2003-2008
- Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section, Member, Construction Law Committee
- Rules of Civil Procedure Committee, 2012-2016
- The Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, Young Lawyers Division
- Lecturer, Continuing Legal Education
- Past author on litigation matters for the Hillsborough County Bar Journal
- Lecturer and moderator at numerous seminars on topics including Commercial Litigation and Professionalism
- Construction Law Committee
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (President, Board of Directors 2008-2009)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters (Member, Board of Directors 2000-2013)
- Tampa Bay Bankruptcy Bar Association, Member
- Licensed Title Agent, Attorneys Title Insurance Fund
- Member, Bay Area Real Estate Council
- 50 State Lien Law Handbook, American Bar Association Forum on Construction Law, Contributing Author
R.J. joined Sivyer Barlow Watson & Haughey, P.A. in 2002, and became a shareholder in 2005. Prior to that, he was an associate at Bush Ross Gardner Warren & Rudy, P.A. He was born in Battle Creek, Michigan.