Florida Appellate Attorney Samuel Alexander on Fox 13 Tampa

Florida Appellate Attorney Samuel Alexander Discusses His Pro Bono Appellate Representation of the Zaksee Bird Sanctuary

Appearing on Fox 13 Tampa, Florida appellate attorney Samuel Alexander discussed his pro bono representation of Majid Esmaeili, who has appealed a trial court's ruling that effectively imprisoned him on his own property. Mr. Alexander has applied for a stay of the trial court’s decision pending the appeal, which is currently at the Second District Court of Appeal. You can watch the video here:

Mr. Esmaeili runs a nonprofit organization called the Zaksee Bird Sanctuary, where he takes care of over 250 rare and rescued exotic birds. Collectively, the birds need 50 lbs. of food every day.

The trial court ruled that Mr. Esmaeili could no longer use the easement he built on his neighbor's property—the only passable route onto and off of the sanctuary property. You can donate to the Zaksee Bird Sanctuary here: https://zaksee.com.

The story has also been featured on the Fox 13 Tampa website:

TAMPA, Fla. - Majid Esmaeili is a man on a virtual island in the middle of Tampa. He is currently landlocked on his own property, about a mile from the Citrus Park Mall.

"I have absolutely no way to get out," he told FOX 13 News.

But he's not alone. About 250 exotic birds keep him company. Esmaeili is the owner of Zaksee Bird Sanctuary. He says all day, he feeds his birds and cleans cages, without leaving the property.

Esmaeili says he bought the land from Lynda Fowler and In the Breeze Farms, Inc. ten years ago. He says it was with the understanding he'd be able to use an easement for entry and exit.

You can read the full story here.