Trial lawyers in today’s society have the responsibility of being the voice for those without a voice. Big Business often has the money and power to walk all over people in the sense of not producing safe products or paying valid claims they have denied. And that’s where I come in. It is my job to keep Big Business honest, and to be the “great equalizer” on behalf of injured victims who might not understand how to maneuver the legal system.
I was born and raised in Lake Wales, a small town in Polk County, in the center of Florida. After high school, I went to the University of Florida, where I graduated with a degree in Accounting. I then earned my law degree from Florida State University (bridging the gaps between the two big rivals), before moving back to Polk County to practice law in 1977. I now live in Lakeland, Florida, with my wife Cindy, and our two sons, Justice and Lawton.
I actually started practicing law as a tax lawyer when I moved back to Polk County, until the family of a good friend was involved in a tragic auto accident. His wife and 2 children were killed and he was trapped in the vehicle with them for an hour before being rescued by Jaws of Life.
When he needed justice the most, everyone involved denied having any responsibility for the tragedy, causing my friend legal and emotional stress. That is when I decided to change career paths, so that I could help folks, like my friend, get through their most difficult times. My path to trial law was a tragically unique one, but it ensured that I will always have a deep conviction about my responsibilities, and will take every case seriously.
I personally feel like insurance companies can afford to hire as many attorneys and researchers as they want, while most injured victims can barely afford to pay their medical bills, let alone learn how to work the court system to their benefit.
I enjoy doing the type of work that I do. No two days are alike in my office- there are always different cases to handle, different people to talk to, and different places to go. The fact that the people I represent are good, honest people who need my help also makes it easy to stay motivated.
This is why I represent the plaintiffs, and why I offer about 10 hours per week of unpaid counseling for those with 'small' claims about how to maneuver through the mysterious legal system or getting them to the right lawyer for representation or to the right government agency for relief.
My job isn’t about the money, which is why I only get paid if I win, and I only take my earnings from the insurance company, so that the people I am representing don’t have to worry about their legal bills on top of everything else.
I feel like my personal background has prepared me to be a different kind of trial lawyer, in a good way. Being 'raised right' by wonderful parents; working a multitude of difficult, dirty and menial jobs throughout middle school, high school, and having the good fortune to be mentored by the best trial lawyers in this area, all have given me a down-to-earth, common-sense perspective on life that translates well into dealing with my clients.
I am so proud of the lawyers that I work with on a daily basis. They all care deeply about the clients, and work hard to get justice, regardless of the financial reward for us. I am also proud to be a member of InjuryBoard, which is dedicated to helping keep people safe and informed about important issues, regardless of whether or not they get hired for a case. It is this dedication to helping others that makes me proud to be a trial lawyer.