Niva M. Harney-Hiller

Profile Education University of Miami Law School, JD Maritime and Admiralty Law, University of Miami School of Law, LLM Florida International University, BBA (summa cum laude) Niva Harney-Hiller is a partner in the firms Miami office. Niva dedicates her practice to defending premises liability and commercial liability claims. Specifically, her focus is on personal injury, wrongful death, negligent security, property damage, construction defect, product liability, medical and professional malpractice, product liability, and commercial litigation. She also represents clients in D&O defense matters. Niva was born and raised in Antigua, West Indies. She remains strong to her Caribbean roots. To that end, she is also barred in the US Virgin Islands and has practiced there for over a decade successfully defending a large array of local businesses on the islands. Additionally, she frequently handles claims throughout the rest of Caribbean including representing foreign governments, individuals, and businesses in commercial disputes. Across her multi-jurisdictional practice, Nivas clients include retail stores, major hotels & resorts, condominium associations, shopping malls, developers, the worlds premier cruise lines, and major insurance carriers. A large portion of her practice is devoted to representing property owners and condominium associations in premises liability, property damage, and negligent security matters. She earned her Juris Doctor and her LLM in Maritime and Admiralty Law from the University of Miami School of Law. Niva works with a number of marine insurers and cruise lines defending against Jones Act, Unseaworthiness and Maintenance and Cure claims. Niva is an active member of the Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM), where she earned the CLMP designation. Related articles News Kennedys continues US growth with the addition of four attorneys in Miami and New York 30/03/2022 View more Qualifications and admissions Florida US Virgin Islands US District Court for the Northern, Middle and Southern Districts of Florida US District Court for the District of the US Virgin Islands Market recognition Florida Super Lawyers, Rising Star, Law & Politics, 2012-present Top 40 Under 40, National Black Lawyers Work highlights Motion to Dismiss granted for large retail store where Plaintiffs counsel attempted a fraudulent joinder of a store manager in a personal injury negligence case. Motion for Summary Judgment granted when Plaintiff attempted to claim breach of condominium bylaws where Plaintiff was a resident and not an owner of said condominium; therefore, blocking Plaintiffs entitlement to fees under Florida Statute 718. Motion for Summary Judgment on board members allege breach of fiduciary duty to condominium owner. Successfully defended condominium association against significant property damage claim where Plaintiff alleged seven figures worth of damages against condominium association for failure to maintain common elements. Commercial litigation matter involving Antiguan government and multiple contractors and sub-contractors who performed construction services in constructing Antiguas headquarters building in St. Johns, Antigua. Obtained summary judgment on behalf of the cruise line in a shore excursion case where Plaintiff claimed significant injuries while on a zip lining shore excursion in Jamaica. Wrongful death matter involving an employee of a major company who was intoxicated while driving in the U. S. Virgin Islands resulting in death of two men. Successfully resolved pre-suit. Defense of negligent security and wrongful death matter involving a mall in the U. S. Virgin Islands where a tenant was shot upon exiting the mall. Achieved successful result on behalf of the mall. Successfully represented condominium association in a highly contentious multi-party matter involving substantial damages to a multi-million dollar penthouse unit. Successfully represented a Trinidadian Security Company in a commercial matter involving complex business dispute between the companys commercial suppliers located in South Florida. Successfully defended a crane maintenance company when damage was caused to a ships crane and slewing bearing. Presentations and publications Co-Author, Breaking Through Barriers: For a successful mediation, communication and preparation are keys, published in CLM Magazine (January 2020) Panelist, Insurance PAC CLE Session: Partnering with Defense Counsel and Managing Your Legal Spend, NAMWOLF Driving Diversity & Leadership Conference (2020) Services Product liability and product safety Property damage Insurance defense Medical malpractice Commercial, IT and outsourcing Show More Sectors Insurance and reinsurance