Background
Vals Complete Auto Repair, Inc. appealed a decision from the Circuit Court for Levy County, Florida, with Judge Craig C. DeThomasis presiding below. The appellant was represented by Stanley H. Griffis III of The Griffis Law Firm, LLC, and UniFirst Corporation, the appellee, was represented by John W. Gardner of The Gardner Law Firm.
The underlying nature of the dispute between the auto repair shop and UniFirst Corporation — a commercial uniform and workwear services company — is not disclosed in the appellate record as reproduced in this opinion.
The Court’s Holding
The First District Court of Appeal issued a per curiam order dismissing the appeal. Judges Bilbrey, Nordby, and Treadwell all concurred in the dismissal. The one-word disposition — “DISMISSED” — reflects a procedural termination of the appeal rather than a ruling on the merits of any underlying claim.
The order is not yet final, as it remains subject to any timely and authorized motion filed pursuant to Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure 9.330 or 9.331.
Key Takeaways
- The First District dismissed the appeal without reaching the merits, issuing only a per curiam order.
- The opinion provides no reasoning for the dismissal, which is common when an appeal is terminated on procedural or jurisdictional grounds.
- The order does not become final until the time for filing a motion for rehearing under Fla. R. App. P. 9.330 or 9.331 has passed.
Why It Matters
Bare dismissal orders of this kind typically signal a procedural defect — such as lack of appellate jurisdiction, an untimely notice of appeal, or failure to prosecute — rather than any substantive ruling on the parties’ dispute. Practitioners should note that the absence of a written opinion leaves the circuit court’s ruling undisturbed and provides no precedential guidance on the underlying commercial claims.