The Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation

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Titans of Trial – Michael Haggard Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Having a father who was a well-known and successful trial lawyer didn’t mean that Mike Haggard was on easy street. His interest in practicing law first came from his dad Andy, but Mike had to work hard. He had no success in repeated testimony before the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission on swimming pool safety. But he didn’t give up. He found a unique opportunity to finally make the kind of lasting policy change that all trial lawyers hope for. Swimming pools are safer today because of the results he achieved. While he and his Coral Gables firm focus on representing injured clients, Mike devotes significant time to proactive efforts to avoid injuries and death, speaking to corporate groups on how to improve safety for consumers. Mike Haggard sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in May of 2020 to talk about the ongoing relationships with clients that have sustained his career, how the trial bar and the business community can successfully co-exist, and the link between coaching youth football and trial law. Show Notes: Michael Haggard is with The Haggard Law Firm in Coral Gables, Florida – www.haggardlawfirm.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial – David Fonvielle Jun 05, 2020

Show notes

David Fonvielle went from running a concessions business on Fort Lauderdale Beach to eventually starting a personal injury law firm in Tallahassee. He gladly shares how he did it and why, including overcoming concern about advertising to become the first firm in the region to actively mass market. His work on Florida’s lawsuit against Big Tobacco was but one of several cases that forced changes in consumer products, sparing injuries and saving lives. He took on the world’s largest manufacturer of space heaters, forcing a complete product recall and redesign. David Fonvielle, still going strong at age 75, sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in January 2020 to talk about his humble beginnings, how he learned to outwork and outsmart the other side, and why he thinks this is a great time to be practicing law as a personal injury lawyer. Show Notes: David Fonvielle is with the Fonvielle Lewis Messer & McConnaughhay law firm in Tallahassee, Florida – www.wrongfullyinjured.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial – Richard Slawson Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

Richard Slawson’s guiding principal in life has been to stay determined and never give up. He credits it to his success in personal injury cases and to becoming one of Florida’s preeminent insurance bad faith lawyers. He’s now focusing that tenacity on fighting human trafficking, having transitioned to an “of counsel” role. The Florida Justice Association has been another common thread in his life. He’s a past president of the FJA and has been honored with the Perry Nichols Award, its most prestigious, together with the Al J. Cone and B.J. Masterson awards. He’s also in the FJA’s Eagle Hall of Fame, for his lifetime of leadership and financial contributions to protect consumer rights. Richard Slawson sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in May 2019 to share his powerful message of consumer advocacy, pointers on running a successful law firm, and his one regret about not. Show Notes: Richard Slawson is Of Counsel with the Reid Burman Lebedeker law firm in West Palm Beach, Florida – www.reidburmanlaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial - Tom Edwards Apr 10, 2020

Show notes

Florida’s large percentage of folks over the age of 65 has highlighted a too common problem: elder abuse in nursing homes and other facilities. Originally a defense lawyer, Tom Edwards of Jacksonville changed sides to help this needy and helpless population. Along the way, he’s built a niche personal injury practice, with many victories. He’s also a champion of legal ethics, helping write the code of ethics for judges’ conduct. Among his many honors is the B.J. Masterson award from the Florida Justice Association for professionalism and high ethical standards. He’s also a past president of the FJA and winner of many other FJA awards. Tom Edwards sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to share what it’s like to go against big corporations, the sacrifices he’s had to make along the way, and how his big game hunting skills have helped him in the courtroom. Show Notes: Tom Edwards is with Edwards & Ragatz law firm in Jacksonville, Florida – www.edwardsragatz.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial – Greg Barnhart Feb 14, 2020

Show notes

Greg Barnhart refers to trials as “the ultimate game.” While certainly a competition between two sides, he insists that juries expect to be entertained. To be a successful trial lawyer, as you’ll hear, you have to be entertaining and tell a story. He’s won more than $90 million to date in verdicts and settlements for his clients, including at one point, the largest personal injury verdict in Florida history. Along the way, he served as president of the Florida Justice Association and he’s won the Al J. Cone lifetime achievement award from the association. He’s a law school professor and a former chair of the 4th District Court of Appeal Judicial Nominating Commission. Greg Barnhart sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in July 2018 to share his in-depth trial technique, the importance of a having a healthy ego, and the story of the widow who refused to settle that inspired him to the biggest victory of his career. Show Notes: Greg Barnhart is with the Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley law firm in West Palm Beach, Florida – www.searcylaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial – Steve Pajcic Dec 06, 2019

Show notes

On today’s program, something different. We feature someone who is as well known for his political life as his distinguished trial career. Steve Pajcic served Jacksonville in the Florida House of Representatives for six terms in the 1970’s and 80’s, nominated by the St. Petersburg Times as the Most Valuable House Member seven years in a row. As a lawmaker, he shepherded expansion of the property tax Homestead Exemption from $5,000 to $25,000. In 1986, he was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Florida, losing to Bob Martinez in a tight race. A self-described “Florida Cracker”, Steve Pajcic is half of the original Pajcic and Pajcic law firm. His brother Gary passed away in 2006, but the practice remains a family firm, with Steve’s son and Gary’s three sons. Together, the Pajcic family has been a tremendous force in philanthropy and social equality. Steve Pajcic, now in his 70’s, sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December 2017 to share how he’s remained politically active, his resilient idealism, and his personal brand of civil justice. Show Notes: Steve Pajcic is with The Law Firm of Pajcic & Pajcic in Jacksonville, Florida – www.pajcic.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial – Dale Swope Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

Dale Swope jokes that he’ll pay a thousand dollars to anyone that can prove they’ve been more broke than he’s been. He had to take losing cases no one else would touch and find a way to win them. He did, including his first personal injury case, a case that he never dreamt he would face. Along the way, he not only made a living, but has built a vibrant law practice from the ground up, that today has 11 lawyers with its offices in a remodeled old Tampa brewery. He is a recent past president of the Florida Justice Association and is in the Eagle Hall of Fame for his lifetime of contributions. He’s a recipient of the Mickey Smiley award for mentorship. In fact, it was through the FJA – and a special mentor - that Dale Swope saw an opportunity to create a niche, practicing Bad Faith law. Dale Swope sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in May of 2019 to talk about his love of courtroom battle, breaking the money cycle, and building and running a law firm that he has designed to survive him. Show Notes: Dale Swope is with the Swope, Rodante law firm in Tampa, Florida – www.swopelaw.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial - Neal Roth Oct 18, 2019

Show notes

He really wanted to be a doctor. But a bad automobile accident in his teens that almost killed him – twice – landed Neal Roth in a courtroom as a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit. It was that early legal experience that convinced him to marry his desire for medicine with law, and pursue a career as a medical malpractice trial lawyer. He has lent his penetrating, decisive focus to the Florida Justice Association as its president. He’s also been honored with its Al J. Cone lifetime achievement award and the Perry Nichols award, the FJA’s most prestigious. Neal Roth sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in May of 2019 for an in-depth discussion of his trial preparation techniques, how he runs a law practice, and his special relationship with his founding law partner Stuart Grossman. Show Notes: Neal Roth is with the Grossman Roth Yaffa Cohen law firm in Coral Gables, Florida – www.grossmanroth.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial - Wayne Hogan Sep 06, 2019

Show notes

As one of the nine Florida trial lawyers hired by the state to fight Big Tobacco in the 1990’s, Wayne Hogan became part of the glue that held the elite team together. He worked to smooth the disparate legal approaches and personalities to help shepherd an eventual $13+ billion judgment against the tobacco industry, the largest of its time. He also brought the first asbestos case involving punitive damages to trial in Florida, and was one of the first lawyers to become designated in Consumer Law. A past president of the Florida Justice Association, Wayne has won four of its major awards – the Victor Tipton, the Al J. Cone, the B.J. Masterson, and the Perry Nichols Award, the FJA’s most prestigious. Wayne Hogan sat down with Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett in December of 2017 to discuss his career-long fight unearthing secret documents, how elections have consequences in trial law, and why he’s a big supporter of public education. Show Notes: Wayne Hogan is with the Terrell Hogan law firm in Jacksonville, Florida – www.terrellhogan.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

Titans of Trial - John Romano Aug 16, 2019

Show notes

His first boss and mentor was Al J. Cone, the founder of the Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, the predecessor of the Florida Justice Association. As such, our conversation with John Romano of Lake Worth is as much the story and lessons of the legendary Al Cone as it is of John’s career. He learned well, as you’ll hear. John Romano is a Past President of the Florida Justice Association and a recipient of the Perry Nichols Award – the FJA’s most prestigious award. But Johns is best known as the founder and leader of the FJA’s annual Workhorse Seminar. And John is just as much an inspiring coach as he is an accomplished trial lawyer. His approach to his practice is based on his approach to family – for John, it’s one big tapestry of love. While he shares his motto for running a successful law practice, this podcast is more about lessons of life and love. But it’s that love that John applies so well to his practice of law, as Florida Justice Association Radio host Harvey Bennett discovered in this May 2019 conversation. Show Notes: John Romano is with the Romano Law Group in Lake Worth, Florida – www.romanolawgroup.com Resources Mentioned in this Podcast: Visit the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation Podcast Webpage for full details and extras on this podcast. The Titans of Trial podcast, sponsored by the Florida Justice Association Research and Education Foundation, features Florida’s legendary trial attorneys revealing their keys to success – in law practice and in personal life – in their own words. Behind the sometimes tough courtroom veneer lies the heart of a champion advocate. Sometimes whimsical, often inspirational, but always with practical advice and lessons, Titans of Trial shares the personal stories of the men and women who’ve made a demonstrated difference to the practice of trial law in Florida.

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