Christian (Chris) Searcy is President and CEO of Searcy Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, P.A. For over 30 years, he has litigated cases primarily involving catastrophic injury and death in venues throughout Florida, as well as other states. At age 30, he had the distinction of being the youngest lawyer in the United States to achieve a verdict of $1 million for a single personal injury lawsuit.
In 2006, Mr. Searcy was one of only two lawyers in the country to receive the “War Horse Award” from the Southern Trial Lawyers Association, honoring his outstanding skill as a trial advocate and his extraordinary contributions to the cause of justice.
In 2005, the Florida Justice Association, formerly known as The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers honored Mr. Searcy with its Perry Nichols Award, the highest honor it bestows, in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service to the cause of justice.
Mr. Searcy is Vice President of the prestigious International Academy of Trial Lawyers, a worldwide organization limited to just 500 attorneys, and is named in The Best Lawyers in America, an independent study by Harvard trained attorneys. He is also recognized in Law and Leading Attorneys, is listed as one of the “legal elite” in Florida Trend magazine, and is named as one of the top lawyers in South Florida Legal Guide.
A past President of the Florida Justice Association, formerly known as The Academy of Florida Trial Lawyers, Mr. Searcy is a diplomate of the American Association for Justice, formerly known as the American Trial Lawyers Association and is a member of the International Society of Barristers. He is an advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, an emeritus member of the Board of Overseers of Stetson University College of Law, a member of the Board of Directors of the College Foundation of the University of Virginia, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Florida Supreme Court Historical Society and is Board Certified in Civil Litigation by the National Board of Legal Specialty Certification, formerly known as the National Board of Trial Advocacy and by The Florida Bar Association. Mr. Searcy writes and lectures extensively about civil trial practice, personal injury and wrongful death.
After earning a B.A. with distinction from the University of Virginia, Mr. Searcy received his Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law, graduating in the top ten percent of his class.
Mr. Searcy’s personal philosophy of advocacy for those in need has made its mark on South Florida, where he supports numerous non-profit organizations committed to helping the disabled, improving education, and advancing community causes.