What did the court decide?

The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, meaning the lower court's decision remains in effect.

Unless the appellants seek further review, the trial court's judgment will remain final; they may consider filing a motion for rehearing or a petition for discretionary review with the Florida Supreme Court if eligible.

Did the court explain its reasoning in detail?

No; the court issued a short per curiam affirmance without an extended published opinion explaining detailed legal analysis.

TEWOLDE, FISSHA v. BRANDON SHOPPING CENTER PARTNERS, LTD.

Docket 2D2023-2676

Court of record · Indexed in NoticeRegistry archive · AI-enriched for research

CivilAffirmed

Filed: May 6, 2026 · today
Jurisdiction: Florida
Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida
Type: Opinion
Case type: Civil
Disposition: Affirmed
Docket: 2D2023-2676

Appeal from the circuit court for Hillsborough County (civil action).

Summary

The Second District Court of Appeal affirmed the trial court's judgment in a civil appeal brought by Selamawit Tewolde and Tesgai Fissha against Professional Security Consultants, Brandon Shopping Center Partners, Ltd., and Westfield Property Management, LLC. The panel issued a brief per curiam decision on May 6, 2026, concluding the appellants’ challenge lacked merit and therefore the lower court's ruling stands. No extended opinion or new legal rule was announced; the court unanimously affirmed without published opinion and the decision may be revised before official publication.

Issue Decided

Whether the trial court's judgment in the underlying civil action should be reversed.

Court's Reasoning

The court affirmed because the appellants failed to demonstrate reversible error in the trial court's proceedings or conclusions. The per curiam opinion indicates the appellate panel found the record and arguments insufficient to disturb the lower court's ruling. No novel legal principle required discussion, and the brief disposition reflects that existing law and the trial court's application of it supported affirmance.

Parties

Appellant: Selamawit Tewolde
Appellant: Tesgai Fissha
Appellee: Professional Security Consultants
Appellee: Brandon Shopping Center Partners, Ltd.
Appellee: Westfield Property Management, LLC
Judge: Jennifer Gabbard

Key Dates

Appellate decision date: 2026-05-06

What You Should Do Next

1
Consider filing motion for rehearing
If the appellants believe there was an oversight, they should consult counsel about seeking rehearing in the district court promptly under applicable local rules and time limits.
2
Evaluate petition for discretionary review
If there are significant legal issues of statewide importance, the parties should assess whether to petition the Florida Supreme Court for discretionary review and comply with its filing deadlines.
3
Comply with trial-court judgment
The prevailing parties should ensure the trial-court judgment is enforced or that any required post-judgment steps (e.g., collection, dismissal of claims) are completed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What did the court decide?: The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, meaning the lower court's decision remains in effect.
Who is affected by this decision?: The parties to the appeal—Selamawit Tewolde and Tesgai Fissha (appellants) and Professional Security Consultants, Brandon Shopping Center Partners, Ltd., and Westfield Property Management, LLC (appellees)—are directly affected.
What happens next?: Unless the appellants seek further review, the trial court's judgment will remain final; they may consider filing a motion for rehearing or a petition for discretionary review with the Florida Supreme Court if eligible.
Did the court explain its reasoning in detail?: No; the court issued a short per curiam affirmance without an extended published opinion explaining detailed legal analysis.

The above suggestions and answers are AI-generated for informational purposes only. They may contain errors. NoticeRegistry assumes no responsibility for their accuracy. Consult a qualified attorney before relying on them.

Full Filing Text

DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL OF FLORIDA
                       SECOND DISTRICT




              SELAMAWIT TEWOLDE and TESGAI FISSHA,

                               Appellants,

                                    v.

   PROFESSIONAL SECURITY CONSULTANTS; BRANDON SHOPPING
       CENTER PARTNERS, LTD.; AND WESTFIELD PROPERTY
                    MANAGEMENT, LLC,

                                Appellees.


                            No. 2D2023-2676



                               May 6, 2026

Appeal from the Circuit Court for Hillsborough County; Jennifer
Gabbard, Judge.

Melissa A. Giasi of Giasi Law, P.A., Tampa, for Appellants.

Hinda Klein of Conroy Simberg, Hollywood, for Appellee Professional
Security Consultants.

R.G. (Mack) McCormick, Jr., Josephine B. Rahn, and Austin A. Walker of
Bleakley, Bavol, Denman & Grace, Tampa, for Appellees Brandon
Shopping Center Partners, Ltd. and Westfield Property Management,
LLC.

PER CURIAM.

     Affirmed.
LUCAS, C.J., and BLACK and LABRIT, JJ., Concur.


Opinion subject to revision prior to official publication.




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