Harold A. Saul

Impassioned excellence.
Bold determination.
Relentless courage.
Steadfast perseverance.

All of these words describe Harold A. Saul, shareholder in Kubicki Draper’s Tampa office. Yet none of these words can adequately convey Harold’s dedication and diligence as an advocate in law and in life. Harold is a man who will not let anything stop him or slow him down—not even his battle with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Although he was not diagnosed until 1993, Harold always knew he had a 50% chance of inheriting the genetic disorder from his father. However, seeing his father’s example in fighting and eventually overcoming the disease gave Harold hope. Harold’s father, Ivan Saul, had a kidney transplant in 1983 and led a full life until he passed away in 2007, from unrelated causes.

Harold’s father was a passionate advocate in the fight against PKD. It is not surprising that Harold has followed in his footsteps. Harold has been actively involved in both the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation and the National Kidney Foundation for almost 25 years. Both organizations are dedicated to raising education and awareness, as well as funding research for better treatments and, eventually, a cure for kidney diseases. Harold is the only person to have served simultaneously on the National Board for both organizations, and he has taken several other active leadership roles over the years.

In recent years, Harold’s involvement has been more focused on the PKD Foundation, which is devoted to funding research to find a cure for PKD, the specific disease Harold and his family have battled for generations. He also wants to help raise awareness about the importance of organ donation. For the past several years, Harold has captained a Walk for PKD team composed of Kubicki Draper attorneys, staff, friends, and family members, which is routinely the top fundraising team. The team is aptly named, "Ivan’s Investors for a PKD Cure," in honor of Harold’s father. The team name originated from the 2007 Walk for PKD, at which the Tampa Bay Chapter of the PKD Foundation honored the life of Ivan Saul and his dedicated service as a PKD advocate. An award is given every year in honor of Ivan Saul to the highest fundraising team.

This years’ Walk for PKD, in October 2012, was a memorable one for Harold, as it was his first since his own kidney transplant in June 2012. Harold had been placed on the transplant list in May 2010, and started dialysis about 6 months later, in December 2010. While he was on dialysis, it was his father’s example, family, friends, and the hope of a transplant that fueled his determination that he would not let the disease slow him down. He even continued to travel and snow ski.

Anyone who knows Harold knows his single greatest passion is being an excellent defense litigator and a passionate advocate for his clients. His fight with PKD, and even dialysis could not diminish that. For awhile, his life became dialysis and work. He also had to undergo multiple surgeries in the 2 years he was on dialysis, including surgery to remove both kidneys, which had become so loaded with the cysts that characterize the disease that, together, they weighed a total of 50 pounds. But even when Harold had to take "time off" for the surgeries, he was always still actively supervising his cases from home or the hospital. While it was hard for Harold to be less "hands on" in his cases for awhile, it was reassuring for him to know he had a strong team of Kubicki Draper attorneys and staff he could rely on, especially during this time.

Harold says now that he has fully recovered from his transplant, he feels like he has a new lease on life. He looks forward to continuing his tireless efforts as an advocate and trusted advisor for his clients, which is his true calling and greatest passion. Harold, who has been a defense litigator for almost 25 years and has tried over 100 cases to verdict, says the key to his success is his tenacity and preparation—he makes sure he always knows his cases better than anyone else, especially the other side. Nothing makes Harold happier than applying his relentless determination and diligent efforts to achieve a favorable result for his clients. The only thing better is when he gets a complete defense verdict. So plaintiffs’ lawyers beware, Harold Saul is back, better and stronger than ever.