Gary E. Davidson of Diaz Reus & Targ in Miami warded off two attempts to dismiss a wrongful death lawsuit against Mexican hotel conglomerate Palace Resorts Inc., after a guest from Texas was beaten to death by a drunk man at one of its hotels in Cancun.

Palace Resorts argued Miami was an improper venue for the suit, and claimed its forum selection clause mandated legal action in Mexico. But Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey disagreed.